The Windy City

I visited this stunning city...

Ate plenty of this...

And got to spend time with these cuties...

I love his face in this picture (I wish I could remember why he made it)

I can't believe this handsome stud is growing up.

This dog cracked.me.up. Especially when she came down the stairs.

This one is an absolute sweetheart.

Princess S wanted to do the timer she was very proud of this picture.

We visited the incredible aquarium.

And for the main reason for this trip - my cousin got married. Here are some pictures. I found these pictures on my aunt's FB page. It was beautiful and wonderful to see my family.

Honestly, I had a BLAST. A BLAST I tell you. I want to go back.

Uncanny

Brad and I are members of a Border collie rescue agency. My heart breaks when I see these beautiful animals in need of a loving home or else face death. Tears formed instantly in my eyes when I saw this guy on the rescue board, and well, just take a look at him. One look and you can imagine the plight it put me in.

The resemblance to Sydney is uncanny, he is just a very sad Sydney.

I told Brad if he doesn't get rescued I will find a way to get him, and then I mentioned Tuffy C wants a dog - what better dog than this one?

Anyway, the pup's name is Brandon, and no, we do not have three dogs. He was rescued and now lives in Maryland with a wonderful family. [And I'll be honest, I was a tinsy bit disappointed].

By George, we made it.

HAPPY 4th of JULY !!!

Camping Weekend

This weekend we enjoyed camping and boating with our friends. It was a blast! Thanks to my BIL for letting us borrow the boat.

Here is the boat. The graphics are my BIL's idea - we got many compliments on it... mostly from teenage boys.

Here is fancy Nancy.

Even Dixie found some courage and peaked out.

Matthew and Nancy.

Love this picture of Syd.

I think this has to be my favorite picture from the trip. As you all know it takes Dixie a little to warm up to people. She finally warmed up to Matthew on the last day.

Our hunky hubbies.

Dixie hanging out with her new friend.

We found this white thing in the boat. We thought it was a tube, so Nancy and Matthew blew it up with the air out of their own lungs. Then we realized it was not indeed a tube but a large ball.

Dixie hated the fire so she preferred to be in the tent, however, she liked to see us. As soon as I opened the screen she was content.

Nancy's delicious dessert the Bella Donna. We made homemade ice cream to go along with it - divine.

It was a terrific weekend. I was a little nervous about the weather and being that far north, but it was beautiful. The lake was still chilly, but we all jumped in. What a great way to relax and enjoy the great outdoors.

Proof

Proof, that she isn't always a nut case. And really can be sweet around new people, and not just any new people... kids. She had her moments don't get me wrong, but the majority of the time she did wonderful, and even during her "moments" they were not bad. I have to give major props to the kids, they were great with - and only one of them had a dog! However, she still didn't seem to catch on to the concept that when she acted like a nut case she did not receive they thing she desired most... attention. We're working on that.

And this cutie, well we can just say she is one of my future babysitters (we are lucky to have a great selection in this area). She loved Dixie and Dixie loved her. She even had the ability to calm Dixie down when she got anxious and a little flustered by the quick movements of the other kids. Amazing.

The B Team Celebrations

If anyone knows Brad they know this, the man LOVES candy. So this is one of the birthday "cakes" I made for him.

Even the dogs got in on the festivities.

The real cake

What is wrong with me???

I usually hate jell-o, hate it. The texture of jiggly food is one I don't care for. But I've turned into a jell-o fiend. My personal favorite is to make lime jell-o but instead of using 2 cups of water to mix in I do 2 cups of pear juice, then add cool whip on top.

I think this means I've lived in Utah for too long.

(For those of you who don't get that, like my Eastern friends and family, jell-o is a stapled food here. For example, at a BBQ everyone brings some sort of pasta salad - well, here people usually bring a jell-o salad).

I want to be here!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

I'm a complete fanatical nerd when it comes to Potter. And I really should not admit this but I am - there is something about the thought of being able to see a real live version of Hogwartz that makes me absolutely giddy inside. I want to go [sigh].

There is Beauty All Around

We have had some very odd weather this spring - odd even for this area. It has been rainy and cool. It will go from 80 degrees and sunny one morning and by the afternoon it's down to 70 gray and windy. However, something remarkable has occurred due to such finicky weather...

it's green.

I have never seen this place so green. And it's beautiful.

So we have been enjoying the great outdoors even more so.

The day we hiked this trail it was hot - very hot. Especially on the ground where the sun had been beating down all day - but our little troopers are amazing. Sydney's paws were getting to her though. I'm beginning to think we may need to get her some doggie shoes.

I'm not sure if this picture can truly make you appreciate this obstacle we crossed. Due to the all of a sudden hot weather, the spring run off came all at once and very quickly. Here is a stream we came across with a very fast current. The rock was about 4 feet away from the log - you can image the plan we devised to get us and two dogs across. But B was amazing, as always, and we did it.

It was so hot especially on the ground. If you look closely you will see the spot Dixie chose to lay in - mud.

And here we are at the top.