Sunny Days

I'm not really the bright sun type. I tend to want to spend time outside when it is a little overcast, breezy, and cool. Humid and in the 80's is not my idea of the most ideal weather. So, when a couple days ago the family was outside, I had the opportunity to snap a few photos of Avery enjoying the sun. It was a nice day!

Yes. What you are seeing is right. Both, and I mean both, Herman and Avery are sleeping while sitting upright. What are the chances?

Surveying the landscape...

This little guy was hiding under the top of our propane tank. He was a sparkly white that didn't catch in the photo.

Its a good thing he could disguise himself a little... because you never know who's out there!

Oh Brother What A Summer

Looking at a few pictures that I had yet to "file" today made me think of my brother Nathan who has moved out of state and then leads my mind to think of my brother Brad who will moving back out of state soon. There is a large difference of accessibility to Wisconsin again through the next year. However, one similarity is that neither one will be as conveniently as available as they have been through this summer.

The most exciting part of the summer has to be what they were able to witness and see with little Avery growing and learning so many things. Those are memories they won't forget and will be able to reflect on as they see her get confirmed, graduate, and maybe even (shudder) marry some day. Wow. I can't imagine.

There was one day towards the beginning of the summer that Brad and Nate stopped by and both of them spent a good amount of time playing with a particular family member or two.

Nathan's time that afternoon was spent with Avery who was just getting comfortable trying to walk. As long as someone had her hand at that time she kinda, sorta, okay, barely was able to step along a little.

Actually, back then I believe that both hands were still necessary. I remember thinking that Nathan was remarkably patience and stuck with her for quite a while.

Those summer days are over however and Avery will have accomplished much by the time Uncle Nathan sees her again. We are happy we had them though!

As for the other brother and then other family members mentioned...

Enjoy him while you still have him boys! :-)

... and thank goodness for pictures! Sometimes they last longer than memories! I guess they are an insurance plan of sorts!

Critters Like Other Critters

What could it be that demands such attention from the critter below?

What is such a thing that would seize the eyes of a second critter as well, so promptly?

Apparently,     critters       like        critters...                a  lot.

So much so that things just get down right depressing when a critter has to leave...

down right doggy depressing.

(You can't tell that I'm trying to use some old pictures I wanted to use before I "filed" them away...  can you?    Nah. Didn't think so. )

Nature and It's Beauty... Sort of

I was out snapping a few pictures a couple weeks ago of things that you may see later on this blog. I was admiring the things that I was able to enjoy and appreciate even on our single acre area out here in the boonies. Afterwards, while still thinking about the admirable things that our Lord put in nature, I found myself on the porch noticing some other creatures of nature. The problem was, these creatures were not on the outside with me, but rather on the inside looking out!

How majestic, eh? I guess there are all kinds of creatures, some we appreciate more than others...

Ahhh, Yes. Then there is the remains of creatures as well... how special.

Just when I had about enough appreciating the usually unapprecaited... I noticed another creature in her natural habitat...

She had other friendly creatures with her! Just like that I am happy again with ALL of God's creations!

Notice, I said that I was happy...

I didn't say EVERYONE was...

Something Bright

Today was a little gloomy at work and turned out gloomy again on the ride home and right up until now remains a little gloomy. Outside that is. So, to counter the gloomy feeling and the gloomy weather. I offer you a brighter and lighter moment this morning. What a goof ball. Goodnight everyone. Enjoy the weather today! :0)

Spending Time with Ian!

This morning Kathleen, Avery, and I were priveleged to make a last minute arrangement (as it always seems to be) to have brunch with our friend Ian at the Shaft in Hartford after church. I was telling Ian how wiggly and crazy our daughter has seemed in recent weeks as she insists to reach for everything and is getting braver and braver with throwing herself at things while we cling on to her for dear life and our own sanity. So, we gave him a shot at it...

 

He did pretty good! I gotta say that she didn't throw everything she's got at cha though, Ian!

 

It did get a little wild and I have many "Avery 'n motion" pictures like the one above.

Ian has never had a problem being accepted by any family members almost immediately. Even the "extended family" shown below!

Recently Ian and his new lovely wife and friend of ours, Jennifer, added a family member themselves! Welcome to the family Bernie!

(and get a haircut, Ian... I know someone if you need a connection, she's good.)

Remember the Good Times... Remember the Good Times... Remember...

Herman and Leonard have been testing my patience tonight...

I let Leonard out to go do his doggy thing in the yard and two minutes later he piddles on the floor again in the kitchen. Aaarrrghh... (frustration, not pirate. There is one more 'a', 'r', and 'g' in the pirate version.) That was the afternoon, tonight I spot another spot. It just so happens that he was only two arms lengths away from me when his spot was spotted. I lunged for him because I was in no mood for a chase around the house. As I lunged... he, in ancipation of the hurtin' I was going to put on him, cried out and rolled on his back in a last attempt to beg for my mercy. As he did so, he let go of another warm piddle of "sunshine smiles" that I caught with my hands and then he proceeded to roll into as he tried to avoid my grasp. So, I end up with a floor covered in piddle, hands covered in piddle, & a puppy covered in piddle... Aaarrrghh!

To be fair, Leonard has actually made much progress with listening and behaving and is on his longest running streak (2 days) without leaving any accidental "love loafs" on the floor for me to step in. So, tonight I am trying to remind myself of the good times and focus on his progress. Here is one of the good times several have enjoyed...

Above is brother Nathan relaxing during a Christmas visit. Leonard and Herman are never shy of making themselves comfortable with someone elses body heat. Below is another happy moment caught on camera with Avery enjoying her doggies also. It looks like she is in one of her wild moments and Herman & Leonard (especially Herman) are far from amused.