Sophie's Gone & Driveway Oil Spill Clean Up

While the car was unpacked, empty storage bins put away, I wondered if Sophia would be eating dinner at the dining hall, eating at the cafe downtown, or ordering out pizza. I miss her already. I can feel a naughty streak coming on.

After all of the bins were stowed, I watched the oil spill clean up in the driveway. We had the oil changed and something wasn't right; the car leaked oil on the driveway. I watched the kitty litter soak it right up. I don't spot any oil plumes or any oil soaked frogs or birds, so I think we're okay.

Sophist, I'm not sure what we'll miss more while you're gone --

 Your flair in the kitchen,

Visits with your fun friends like Rachael,

Or the silly photos you send from your phone. This is one you sent of the world's most perfectly shaped chocolate chip cookie that we baked. It was the last cookie from the batch, and you sent us the photo moments before eating it.

Have a great year! We love you {>

Lost in Space

Oh my, no space suit and here we are just floating through

the vastness of space. Look carefully, I am in the middle and right of the photo!

Swimming on a Hot Summer Day

I don't typically take a dip in the Walcher pool, but it was so hot I gave it a try. Does it look like I'm having fun?

Floating alone in the pool is kinda scary.

I feel a little bit better with Krista, but still if it weren't for the hip, I'd probably jump out right now.

While I can swim, I will never love it like a labrador.

Glad to be back on land, I dried off with Krista!

Night Before National Night Out

We had the 2nd Annual Walcher NNO event on Tuesday so I was keeping an eye on The Grove the night before in celebration of that annual event. On NNO (no photos, sorry) it was hot and humid. Perfect night for the pool!

We've Had a Busy Few Weeks!

It has been a busy few weeks here in The Grove. Plenty of pool time, painting, and pondering.

Last week I hung out with the girls at the pool again! Grandma, my new BFF, Connie, and Cousin Missa. Sweet MN summers!

I helped Sophia put the finishing touches on her garage mural inspired by the book, "On the Day You Were Born" by Debra Frasier.

 And here it is...the summer project we started three years ago done and done!

I had a long nap after taking myself on a walk in The Grove. Mom and Sophie didn't even miss me at first but they were sure happy to see me when I returned!

No Words...

When Sophie is bored...

Hot Summer Pool Time

Oliver ran around the yard a few times then plopped down under Krista & Ava's playground.

Oliver joins mama and plants a few kisses.

Then, back to the shade under Missa, Oliver pants with tongue rolled up like all Yorkies do when hot.

Help Us Name This Photo

Help us write a caption for this photo taken in 2006! A great prize awaits the winner!

Silly Sophie

I spent a lot of time sitting in Sophie's lap. She came for the weekend, but it went way too fast. She will be home in three weeks for the summer though!

Sophie is mocking mom's smile here. Doesn't even come close...

You can't duplicate this smile!

When Sophie wasn't holding me or mocking mama, she was working on school stuff.

Family Weekend at UW-Stout

We were off last weekend to see Family Weekend at UW-Stout. We had a great time wandering around campus.

70th Birthday Party

Went to cousin Missa & Eric's on Saturday to celebrate our favorite Auntie's 70th birthday. Ava & Krista kept me very busy doing tricks and giving me treats!

And here is the birthday girl with Ava! The weather was so nice, we sat by the pool for a few hours...although the pool is still covered. If you look carefully you can the Scrabble board is out. Not home from AZ for a day, and Jeannie has already challenged Jill to a game, however there were no winners today. They tied for the first time.

Fun with Dylan & Auntie Robin

After lunch, Dylan played with me at home for a while. I did some tricks for him -- like get my ring from the exercise ball and sit/stay. And of course my favorite -- the Try to Get My Ring game.

Then it was off to the park! A little windy today.

Then to the slide. Dylan went down then came back up.

Then me and Soph went down. Once was enough of that.

Auntie Robin and Jill passed on the slide!

Homework at the Sculpture Gardens

One of our favorite picnic spots in the summer! No picnic today though. Too cold and Sophie needed to visit for a school project so we didn't stay long. There weren't many people out this morning when we walked around the Gardens. Can't wait to have a picnic and meet some new friends.

Celebrations!

Sophia is home from Stout; mama's home from Arizona; and Sophia turned 19! What a week.

I'm back to my old self now that everyone is home.

I wasn't invited Sophia's party with the cousins, but here you see some of the girl cousins helping Sophia celebrate. Those two with missing front teeth will be calling me soon to come and hang out at the pool. Ava, watch your string cheese. And Melissa, we know you have fab hair, but you had a spa day that included a massage and all sorts of good stuff but not hair. We still love you.

Birthday balloons.

Mmmmmm! Sophia shared some left over DQ birthday cake.

Hanging Out At the Howes'

I stayed at the Howes' while Sophia was still at UW-Stout and mama went to Arizona to stay with Grandma.

A small ray of sunshine -- home with sista Sophia, but still waiting for mama.

He's Back...

All winter long things are pretty quiet in the back forty. The occasional deer, a cardinal or robin, but mostly just snow. As the weather begins to warm, though, Chipper returns to my backyard. You can see him in the upper left perched on the brick wall.

Chipper provides hours of entertainment for me when he runs back and forth on the brick wall, right under my nose. Sometimes he gets very bold and sits right on my patio.

All I can do is bark, bark, bark in hopes of being let out so I can chase him.

Spring is almost here!

Dog Blog Buddy

Check out my buddy Cosmo's blog. He is an adorable dog with lots of charm.

http://theycallmecosmo.blogspot.com/

Stout Saturday with Sophia

We went to UW-Stout last Saturday to see Sophia. Lots to show and tell!

On Our Way
First we had to get comfy and tucked into the car. It was chilly when we started out from The Grove.

President Obama Declares Dorm Room a Disaster Area
One look in Sophia and Jill's room and we knew we had to get the President on the line to have their room declare an unnatural disaster area. Whew, just in a nick of time before mid-terms. This dog was barred from taking photos of the area, but rest assured, I saw it with my own two brown eyes.
After an campus potty break, we hit the road for our next stop.
Norske Nook Here We Come!
Our next stop was Norsk Nook in Osseo, WI where we were looking forward for some good home cooking.

The roast beef with gravy, mash potatoes and bread is delish! But Sophie's fav these days is the Norweigan Pancakes (also a fav of Gram's).
But save room for the pies. Like the sign says, "Pie Fixes Everything" and their pies have been our favorite family fix since before Sophia was born!

Just before we head out, a to-go order for the road -- a piece of cherry pie for Sophia's roomate, Jill, another piece of banana cream pie and lefsa for Sophia.

Sight Seeing in Osseo

Sophia checks out the kind of creepy figurine (troll?) that has been there since she was about as tall as that troll. Wish we could find that old photo!

What a Day!
We then headed back to Stout, dropped of Sophia and headed for home. It was nice to see my sis again!