I love how random articles circulate via the technological superhighway. Thanks Garrett for bringing it to my attention... interesting in that Dogs are much more like us than we usually think

Canine emotions raise theological questions - The Denver Post

Source: www.denverpost.com

Canine emotions raise theological questions

Some DC Fun

Cubs game with (from Left to Right)- Megan, Mac, Josh, Jonathan, Joe (dad), me and Danny. The Cubs won all 4 games this series and that made the trip even better! Rick and Carn came the second game that we went to and we had a great visit at their home in Poolsville!Danny and Jonathan having some fun at the bar after the Cubs/ Nats game!
~erin

Maddie at the Park

Maddie had a little too much fun at the park yesterday. After chasing her ball for awhile we decided to join all the other dog owners last night. Maddie found a new friend and they were chasing each other and tackling each other too.

Maddie sprinted across the baseball field and tried to cut around one of the dug outs and slid on some mud probably about 5 feet. When she got up it looked like there was a little brown dog standing next to her but as she sprinted back towards us, I realized that there was no small dog. The whole back right side of her body was covered in mud!

So Danny had the pleasure of hosing her down when we got back from the park, while Maddie thought he was playing a fun hose game with her. She is such a puppy! ~ erin

Beach Evenings....

On the evening of the 4th of July, the 4 of us (Brad, Devin, Erin and I) Came down the stairs to have a little bonfire (and some modest fireworks) It was unfortunate the others couldn't come down, but it was a good time all the same.

I think this image will be forever ingrained in my memory of Up-North.
This is what it means to me. Gorgeous sunsets on the beach, with family and friends, enjoying our time together. There is not a place in this world that is more peaceful. The campfire smell is still in my nose, with the sound of the waves lapping on the beach.

Mackinac Island

Pronounced MAK-in-aw (and no, it's not what Mac is in awe of...)

on Monday, July 6th, Brad, Devin, Lucas, Erin and I all headed up to the Island to do some touristy stuff (locally known as Fudgies).
Always beautiful.

The Grand Hotel... This was Almost as close as we could get to it without paying the fee.

I think if you zoom in really close, you can see on the pen, it says "Grand Hotel"... Thief.

Decisions, Decisions.

Swimming

Maddie wasn't the only one who got to swim in the cool waters of Lake Michigan!

Maddie thoght it would be prudent to give me a big kiss while we were swimming...

I fact, she wanted to swim right along next to me the whole time

I did, however, get apprehensive about Maddie swimming far out, so I brought her back to the beach. Brad and I (as you can see in the photo above) swam out to some rocks pretty far out.

Fireworks!!!

Well, not real fireworks anyway... just some basic sparklers...

I think John was the most enthused about the Sparklers... His face says it all!

Owen was a close second, though the photo looks more like Mandy is having a good time, and John certainly wanted to take over for his cousin!

Even Brad, Devin & Lucas weren't that impressed...

I wasn't impressed (clearly) with the sparklers...
The were much much better in the Dark, but I think the boys had a good time with them, and that's what was important!!

Pond Hill Farm

On the 3rd of July (also Abby's birthday, you'll notice the totally awesome green t-shirt that we got her at the last Hazel concert we went to...) we went to Pond Hill Farm, to see the Piggies, Goats, Ducks, Chickens and just have an all around good time...

Tire Swing!

John, just like his bubbie Owen, loved the tire swing!

Even Erin Did!!!!

Squash Rocket!! I think Brad ended up having the closest to one of the goats... Hey, it's not our fault they were going into a 'Hot SZ' (Spud Zone)

After a quick trip to Harbor Springs... then to Petoskey... (the IGA in Harbor didn't have the proper formula for Lucas) we came back up to Three Pines Studio to do some Shibori with Abby, Mandy & Tashi. They were getting close to finishing up, and definitely had some amazing works. Brad and I both made a Sarong, and Erin made a Bandana for Maddie. I think all of the pieces came out fantastic, and I deifnitely plan on wearing mine!!

4th of July Family Fun!

I think Owen was a little happier that the 'fireworks' display was finally over...

John, on the other hand, could not get enough!

At Pond Hill farm baa-ing at the goats...

Both John & Owen watching the Goats run over to the Pig pen's to munch on the hay.

John giving me the 'Bama Fist Pump... I taught the "Blow it up" part of the fist pump to the boys (Owen not pictured) to give the fist pump more of a dramatic effect... They kept wanting to give more and more and more fist pumps while we were on our way out!

Water Dog

After a few apprehensive outings to the Montrose Dog beach here in Chicago, we were able to finally test Maddie's swimming prowess over the 4th of July weekend.
Erin and I got Maddie down on the beach with a good bright floating water toy, and tossed it in to the (quite cold) Lake Michigan water.
For the first couple of throws, we kept it short, so she could see what the water was all about. Then I launched one about 20 yards out, and, Well, as the photos show, she went after every single one. We officially have a dog who loves to be in the water!


She liked to just plow into the waves...
And then a fun game of 'keep-away'....