the Beagles

We brought our beagles home on July 8th (we returned from our vacation late, late, late July 7th) The kids were so excited to have them HOME finally! Bingo and Lucky are doing great and we're having lots of fun with them. Bingo seems to have the more "happy go lucky" personality of the two. Lucky is more timid and doesn't always enjoy all the hugs and squeezes and running around of two 5 year olds. They're both sweet, though, and love their humans. We love them too. Here are some of the photos I've taken of them since they've come home.

More Vacation Memories...

After Spencer and Katie's wedding, we spent a week at the ocean in Katie's grandparents house, which they so graciously let us borrow. The house was just a short little walk to the beach, so we enjoyed lots of time in the sand and waves. Every morning, we walked to the beach at low tide and searched for shells and pretty rocks. I think the hunt for shells was Nick's favorite part of the trip...and he found quite a few! (Nick and I have our own little secret for finding shells...well, we told Farm Grandma about it too!) Gabby didn't have quite the attention span that Nick did for finding shells but she absolutely loved jumping in the waves. Mostly, we hung out on Lincoln Beach, right near the house...but we did visit a couple other beaches as well. The weather was lovely the entire week. It was a wonderful time and I wish we could just stay there forever. Here are some of my photos from the beach.

Chad and the kids when we first hit the beach...

Our first evening at the beach...the ended up soaking wet!

Kite on a stick...

Gabby and Jordyn frolicking on the beach...

Mason and Nick join in the fun...

Nick and Gabby reflect on the beach...

one of Gabby's finds...

Nick, with a "fedder' in his basket...

Star Gazing...

Lots of laughs as the waves wash in...

One of my very favorite photos from the entire vacation...

Gabby and the Gulls...

She liked to rescue starfish from the dry land at low tide and gently place them into tidepools...she was sure that made them happy.

Racing along the beach...

Building castles...

the Farm Grandma at sunset...

Nicholas in the whale I drew in the sand...

My family...love them.

The Bread Factory

Our local Franz Bakery had an open house last week. We parked at the fairgrounds and then rode a genuine school bus to the bakery where there was a free tour of the facility. After the tour, they gave us a free lunch...hotdogs in fresh buns, chips, a drink and a cookie! We even got a free loaf of bread to take home! The kids loved it. Nick's favorite part was the machine that puffs air into the plastic bags just before the buns slide into them! Gabby's favorite part was the school bus ride. My favorite part...2 hours enjoying the kids while they experienced something new.

at The Farm

I know I still need to post more vacation photos...but for now I'm back to the present. Chad worked out of town all week (and will be out of town for the next two weeks as well...at least he's home on the weekends!) So, the kids and I decided to take a little break and head to the farm for a couple nights. We just hung out, relaxed, enjoyed the farm and the Farm Grandma and Grampa...played some cards, watched HGTV, walked in the woods...we really love it out there. I've been wanting to take photos of Gabby in the tall grass just before sunset for a while now...and she finally "let" me.

You may be wondering where Nick was during these photos...he was traipsing through the field with us...little white summer dress and all.

We walked to the forest the next day...

Gabby even took some photos during our visit to The Farm...here's one she took of moi!