Summer is here

I had big plans for the 3 day weekend until...

I don't do well in that kind of heat. It's good for one thing and that's tourists visiting our area and spending time out on the water. For locals, not so much.

However the lilacs are enjoying it. They look the better than they have the past few years. Usually we get frost when they are starting to bud but this year we squeaked by without getting "nipped".

I am rearranging my office today. I may even tackle the kitchen. I hooked up the portable a/c unit this morning and it's making life bearable inside :)

On that note, I'll add a few shots I took of some clouds a couple nights ago (and a morning one with fog over the pond). Unfortunately they didn't have any rain in them.

And then there's this happy girl. Not sure where Cooper was...

And then this is the picture of the week - silly doggies

P.S. We lost again :(

Our family just grew by 1

Elke is back at the Sprucehaven. Unfortunately it's because our good friend, Dale, passed away. He had just overcome the major medical issues he was having earlier in the year that brought Elke to stay with us. He unexpectedly died in a car accident. His son had taken Elke in initially but he knew his Dad wanted her to come back here if anything happened to him and....here she will be. She's a joy to have, Cooper is completely in love with her - as are we.

As you can see, she has made herself right at home.

And Cooper gave her an official welcome.

The 22nd was Rowan's 5th Birthday and we'll celebrate with him on Saturday. He is just growing like a weed! 

He had the number pancake as they always do. It's an awesome tradition Angie started with the boys. I wonder if she'll continue when they hit double digits :)

P.S. We won! We switched it up (again) and Frank and I were partners. It was not well received but worked for us.

A bittersweet goodbye

Dale was finally released from the hospital today and they let him come home, he was eager to have Elke home with him so we took her over to him. He looks a bit pale yet but he's determined to get up and about as soon as he can. He was so happy to see his girl and we were happy for him but I miss her already. Cooper was talking to us when we came home without her. He misses her too.

Crystal and Dale are here for the weekend from Mitchell, they rented a cabin so they could bring Tucker along since we didn't think 3 dogs in the house was going to work out very well. Cooper and him tend to get on each other's (and everyone else's) nerves pretty quickly. But they spend part of the day with us and then had Ang and family over to the cabin with all the kids for a cookout and games. They stopped by here for a couple hours this evening and will stop over tomorrow before heading back home.

Picture of the week:

P.S. They won