Mommy had some extra time from work, and we got to do some fun things with her.  But, the best part of the time was just being able to spend time together and with our Mommy.  We went to some special parks, went for lots of walks, played with Mommy, and just hung out together.  We even have our cousin Oliver over for a few days to play with us. 

It was raining the first day so Mommy tried to get us to pose so that she could make an invitation for her granddaughters.  We did not like that!

Here is the picture she wanted us to pose for.  We agreed to do it, since she was going to do lots of fun things with us.

We got to go to a park with lots of fun things to see and do. 

 The first thing we got to do was to "ride" a choo-choo train.

Then we got to see some really old houses in the park

Next we are going to "work the farm"

Off across a wooden bridge we went

We saw lots of flowers and gardens

Dog Park

This is fun!  What should we do next?

How did you get up there?

I didn't know what that was for!

There are so many fun things to do!  What should we do next?

Time to rest!

Mommy told us she was going to have some extra days off of work, so we could go and do lots of fun things.  Well, it is raining today, so she is taking pictures of us to make a card for her granddaughters.  She wants to have a special dinner  "just for the girls" and is going to send them an invitation with us all dressed up.  So can you believe this!  We are IN the house while we want to be outside. 

As you can see, we are not happy one little bit!  No squirrel chasing, no playing in the dirt, no adventures!  We are just posing!

Why are we happy?  Our Mommy is on vacation for a few days, so we are going to be able to go to lots of fun places.  We are ready  to go!

Off We Go

Here we are with our sister, Gracie, starting to explore

Summer brings so much to our lives.  It is a time when the world seems alive.  The trees are all green and providing shade, the lakes and rivers are jam-packed with boaters and swimmers, the trails are being pounded down by hikers, and the skies are bombarded with planes carrying passengers to their vacation destinations.  It is a time when families play and laugh together and just enjoy being together.  How it is needed in our lives to rejuvenate our minds and bodies and the love that we have as family and friends.  It is a time to celebrate family, friends, and, of course, our little pups. 

Some of the best times I've had is just being able to spend some of this down time with My Girls.  They are some of the best hiking buddies anybody could hope for.  They help to keep me motivated, but then also just love sitting and enjoying the gift of the great outdoors.  All problems are forgotten, for a short time, as you watch their wonder and delight of the world.  It is truly a time to just relax and enjoy the great gift of life.

It is the time of year for gifts.  There are gifts for Mother's Day, Father's Day, graduations, and birthdays that are celebrated during this time of year.  We always wonder what kind of gift are we going to give.  Is it going to be a special gadget, clothes, toys, or one of a myriad of things.  Gifts are also not always objects, such as love, friendship, and loyalty.  There are gifts of family and friends, also. 

When I think about the gifts that I have received, My Girls are among the most special.  They give me unconditional love, companionship, inspiration, laughter, and joy.  They are ears that always listen (well, almost always), snugglers, and my exercise buddies.  The list goes on and on. 

What better gift could a person receive?   

I cannot believe you are already 8. Just think, a llittle less than 8 years ago you came into my life and brought so much joy into my life.  You are truly a picture of unconditional love.  Your greatest pleasure is just being with your little family.  You have given so much, I just want to say Thank You! 

We celebrate your birthday with a very special treat.  You just love your little treats and I hope you enjoy it.  We celebrate that we are honored to have you as our "Gracie Girl"  I love you so very much!

Grace with Belle and Oliver 

Grace with Belle

Gracie with Sophie

Gracie Hiking on Vacation

Gracie Resting on Rocks

Gracie Resting In the Sun

What is a girl supposed to do?  There are so many choices to make, like choosing which collar, or scarf, or necklace to wear for the day.  There are so many decisions to make!

Which one do you think I should choose.  Treasure and Olivia are trying to get them all!

We have almost come to a decision.  Belle is going to get the pink one with the roses, Treasure is going to get the red heart necklace, and Olivia is going to get the one with doggie bones and paws on it.

What do you think about our choices?

I have learned so much from my little girls.  I have learned about unconditional love and living life to the fullest.  While taking these pictures just for fun, I thought of another truth.  That truth has to do with the fact that we all make choices everyday.  Some are small and some are so huge that they affect us and others for many years.  I am reminded that we need to be careful of those choices and not just make them on the spur of the moment.  Also, to think about and consider who you are getting advice from. Is it someone that has our best interest in mind, is it someone that you can trust, is it someone that wants the very best for you.  I must remember that the choices that I make will influence which path my life takes for many years to come. 

I am thankful to my girls for helping me to see the truths of life.

It is Memorial Day, a day to celebrate all those that have sacrificed to give us the freedoms that we enjoy!  Thank you to all of you that have served to give us those freedoms.  Also, thank you family members for the sacrifices you have had to make also. 

It is also the beginning of the "summer"  season.  A season for lots of outdoor fun and activities.  A time that families and our fur families can laugh, play, and just spend valuable time with.  It is a time when nature is alive and bursting with color and vibrancy.  It is as if we are children again with all of the leisure and looking at the world as if it were a basket of joy.  We love this time with it's picture of life and growth and potential.