Coming soon...to a front yard near you

My 4 Beach Bums...

My favorite centerpiece

I grew the flowers.....and my 10 year old son picked them to make me a centerpiece for the table.

Sometimes there's nothing better than being barefoot

Elvis became Charlie

After much discussion, the puppy was re-named.  He now prefers to be called "Charlie" rather than "Elvis."  A much more fitting name, I think.

Our house is now a home....

For me a house or an apartment becomes a home when you add one set of four legs, a happy tail, and that indescribable measure of love that we call a dog.

Roger Caras 

Welcome home, Elvis...We already love you with all of our hearts.

The manly art of grilling...

"Mom, can I try grilling the hot dogs?"

"Um.  Okay.  Please be careful."

"I will."

September 11th

Appreciating all that we have....and remembering those who lost everything they had.

Learning to be helpful

She doesn't just ask if she can help....she insists that she be allowed to help.  She washed the dishes, folded her clothes, and folded my kitchen towels....without being asked to do so.

My beautiful North Dakota...Part 10

A handful of beautiful flowers....and a doggy looking for a snack!

My beautiful North Dakota...Part 9

The storm wasn't nearly as impressive as the clouds were...

My beautiful North Dakota...Part 8

Dirty fingernails, frogs, and silly family pictures.....all the elements of a good vacation day on the farm!

My beautiful North Dakota...Part 7

This North Dakota series is going to drag out forever if I don't start posting more than a couple pictures at a time!  

There was no shortage of flowers on my mother's farm.  Luckily, flowers are very photogenic.

  I'm starting to think the "accidental" shots are far better than the cutesy, posed ones.  I was sitting on my mother's deck...camera on my lap...and Rachel was standing next to me.  Her little fingers still have a babyish quality that I love and I wanted an UN-posed picture of her hand at that very moment.  While she and I were still chatting, I moved my hand to the camera and snapped this shot.

Perfection.

This pup, named Boston, renewed our desire to adopt another pup of our own.  Yes, it will be hard to move past the loss of our Page....but 2 years have passed and I think we're ready to be doggie parents again.

Alert the media!  It's a rare shot of Yours Truly!  I put my camera down long enough to give this little girl some Auntie love...my son asked if he could take a picture.  He certainly has been paying attention to my "don't take just one" chant.  I think he took 10!

My beautiful North Dakota...Part 6

Grandma.....with her grandchildren, grandchildren-in-law, and great-grandchildren.

My beautiful North Dakota...Part 5

Any man who is willing to play Barbies in the grass with my daughter AND knows how to braid Barbie's hair is a keeper!  Welcome to the family, A.B.!

My beautiful North Dakota...Part 4

A reunion on the farm = cars, campers, dogs, and family as far as the eye can see!

Most of my favorite shots were of Rachel...including these two.

Sweet, patient, beautiful Bristol.  If given the chance, my kids would have smuggled her back to NY with us.

My beautiful North Dakota...Part 4

My beautiful North Dakota...Part 3

If you want him to smile for a picture, hand him his grandbaby...it works every time.