Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Sam. How did you get to be 6????

Holiday Brunch 2010

Mike and Michelle graciously opened their house to our second annual holiday brunch. They hosted 4 generations... 11 adults and 8 kids ages 1-8. It was a chance to get caught up with every one's lives and for all the cousins to play. Everyone contributed some food and everything was delicious. We had eggs, ham, waffles, potatoes, muffins, fruit and lots of sweets for dessert. We celebrated 5 December birthdays... what a busy time of year! Thank you to everyone who traveled to make this an extra special family day and birthday for me.
One of my favorite scenes of the day was when Breanna crawled up into my Dad's lap and sat with him. She doesn't usually like crowds or noise, so I'm sure his lap looked like a nice quiet place to be.

My favorite quote was from Lucas when the kids were playing with the Schnauzers....
Trevor: I like Toby
Lucas: Yeah, I like the other Toby, too. (aka Lacey)
Out of the mouths of babes!!

Parenteau Kids

The kids came for a visit while Cindy and Josh went to NY for Josh to run in the marathon. We had a fun few days although the weather wasn't the greatest...typical November gray and cold. I think everybody just enjoyed playing and hanging out. We played Legos, play dough, went for a hike, went bowling and baked some zuccini bread. Trevor enjoyed watching the first Harry Potter movie and going to Grandpa's band rehearsal in a sound studio. Everybody slept great and ate great meals and we had a great weekend. Enjoy the pictures!!

Kokajo 2010

This year we went back to Kokajo for the first time in three years. Don't ask me why we havent been there in so long... an Aussie National Specialty, family visits or an old little dog who couldn't hike anymore? It was great getting back there and doing our favorite hikes, exploring, fishing and being totally "unplugged" for a week. Enjoy the slideshow!!

Relish the Relish... Part 2

Thanks to Vic and Carol's garden and my own plants, I was able to spend this rainy, windy, gray Friday making another batch of green tomato relish. Lots of steps... grinding, draining, boiling, sterilizing jars and lids, filling jars and boiling to seal them. But, it's oh so good on just about everything. I even had time to make a banana bread. It was a profitable day!!

OOPS!!

Forgot two people who have those amazing birthdays....
Pop-Pop 06-06-06 and Barb 12-12-12 (which, by the way, will be the last day this century that it will happen). Now that's truly amazing to have that many people in one family whose birthdays can be triple digits!!

Amazing 10-10-10

Only know three people who can say they have the same month, day and year on their birthdays. My Dad (01-01-01), my Mom (08-08-08) and now my daughter. That's amazing!! Who knew that 6 years ago today your life and ours would change forever.

We've watched you face some really tough times and challenges and handle them with strength and love. If not for you, I'd have never met "Charlie" at the dog show last weekend... a wheelchair bound man with a great sense of humor. Thanks.... You're amazing. Happy Birthday :)

Amazing... 10-9-10

It's been a rough year... nothing you could have ever imagined. Through it all we've become a closer family. You've taken up running and entered some races, handled yourself with grace when it would have been easy to act otherwise, and been a "rock" for your children. Keep going... you're amazing and we're proud of you!! Happy Birthday :)

Amazing.... 10-8-10

You amaze us every day...

Can't believe 6 years has gone by from one picture to the next. From the first days struggling to eat... PT... OT... heart surgery... and now riding the bus off to school. Our world has changed because of you... you're amazing.

Happy 6th birthday Bre!!

Today

A picture is worth a thousand words.....

Relish the Relish

Ever since I can remember Lee's Mom's green tomato relish has been a hit in our family. We used to try and scrounge whatever she would give us on our trips to PA. I have made it several times myself and last year Cindy and I made it together. This year she gave me two bags of green tomatoes from her garden and yesterday I set out all my supplies and got grinding. With her crop and a few of my own I was able to put up 10 jars and one little one for my fridge. I think the prep and the clean up is more time consuming that the actual relish making... but I can't wait to taste it again on my sandwiches. Thanks Cindy for such a prolific garden... how many jars do you want?

Our Summer....

Our summer began on a sad note when we had to say goodbye to Bailey after 15 years. We miss her every day. It ended on a high note, however, with the wedding of Jess and Jason....
Here are my memories....
Bailey
Birthday parties
Visit to Virginia with no air conditioning in the camper
Tucker gets his ASCA Championship
Jessica's wedding shower
Running our first 5K
Kids playing on the beach
Paddle boat rides
Trombone quartets
Campfires
Barbecues
Ike's first show win
Bronchitis and two rounds of antibiotics
Visiting old friends
Building our cornhole game
Holding my new baby grandson Ryan
The nine cousins
Lake Winnipisaukee
Jess and Jason Wedding
... and now on to fall, my favorite season, and our next trip to Kokajo.... stay tuned.

Jess and Jason's Wedding

We had a glorious weekend at Lake Winnipisaukee as guests of Carl and Barbara. They left for the weekend to stay at the hotel and Lee, me, Aunt Joan, Uncle Dick and Diane took over the house. Friday afternoon we visited with family at the hotel and then went to the after dinner bonfire. Saturday we were able to enjoy the lake and did some kyaking as well as visiting with family and friends. The wedding was spectacular... the weather was gorgeous, the site was breathtaking and the bride and groom looked stunning. Our three kids, their spouses and the nine grandkids drew a crowd wherever they went. But, they were the cutest kids EVER all dressed up in their best outfits. Thanks for a wonderful weekend!!

August at Camp

We had a wonderful few days at camp with the family just before Jess and Jason's wedding. Lee took and extra few days of vacation to spend time with Jeff, Irene, Cindy, Josh and families as well as Aunt Diane from Texas. We had the first rainy day that we had for a couple of month, but we spent time in the basement with all the kids and our new "cornhole" game as well as decorating Tucker, reading books and making puzzles. The next day we were out in the sunshine and swimming again. It was wonderful for all the cousins to meet again and to get to hold my brand new grandson Ryan.

Happy Anniversary

Happy 60th Anniversary Mom and Dad. You are an inspiration to us all!!

And Baby makes Nine!!

As we were taking our oldest grandson out to celebrate his 8th birthday.... Irene was in the hospital giving birth to our youngest grandson Ryan Jeffrey. He was born on July 31st (one day early) at 8:40PM... 7lb 11oz and 18 1/2 inches long. Can't wait to meet him!!! Congratulations to Irene, Jeff, and big sisters Lily and Emma.

Happy Birthday Trevor

Thanks for coming to dinner with us and browsing thru the isles of "Toys 'R Us". Birthdays thru the eyes of an 8 year old are so fun. Hope you had as much fun as we did.... :) Love you!!!

Happy Birthday Josh

Have a "COOL" Birthday with all the family!!

Ike's Win

It was a sweltering hot dog show on Friday and Saturday in New York. We got thunderstorms on Saturday night to cool things off for Sunday. Ike really surprised me and took Winner's Dog on Friday for his first two points. He also got pulled by the judge for Winners on Sunday, but ended up taking a Reserve (2nd place). He's turning out to be a fun little show dog and I think that he'll be really good at agility, too. He'll probably do a few Pre-Novice fun runs at our trial in October. We're taking a great class with an awesome instructor in NH and really learning lots.

Fruit of the Vine

A little experiment this summer growing upside down tomato plants. They are loving this hot weather and are producing lots of tomatoes. Can't wait for them to ripen or at least become some yummy green tomato relish!!

Summer

These are the "dog days" of summer. It's supposed to be near 100 degrees today with a heat index well over that. Thank goodness for air conditioning... we're staying in today!!

July 4th...

Favorites:
Spending time with all the kids
The sunny weather
How many times can 6 kids change in and out of bathing suits?
Lemonade
Paddle boat rides
Playing on the beach
Jumping off the dock
Kabobs, hot dogs and blueberry pie
Doesn't get any better!!!

Virginia Visit

We had a great visit with Jeff, Irene and the girls at the end of May/beginning of June. And.... yes, the photos don't lie... Lily and Emma are playing in the mud!!!!
Some of the hightlights were:
Sleeping in the camper in a rest stop in New Jersey
The broken air conditioner in the camper when it was hot, hot, hot!!
Hosing off the dogs all day
Taking the dogs down the street to a patch of woods
Feeling sorry for pregnant Irene in the heat
Blowing Jeff's breaker and having to buy and install a new one
Projects: new garage shelving and a new bathroom
Out to dinner and walking on the boardwalk at the beach
Playing with the girls in the pool and making up games
The Aquarium
Hopefully we'll see them all again in August (with a new addition)!!

Jessie's Wedding Shower

I'm so glad that we got to spend the day with you today... seeing old friends, opening gifts and playing games. You're going to be a beautiful bride~~~

New Champion

Well we finally did it!!! Tucker was picked as Winners Dog over 25 dogs for a 5 point major to win his ASCA championship. We persevered for about 1 1/2 years chasing the 3 points he needed for his championship. He is now dual champion AKC/ASCA CH Buff Cap Sterling!! He also had qualifying runs in his Jumpers Agility classes. Great weekend Tuck!! Couldn't ask for a more awesome dog....

Happy Birthday Veronica

We love you and hope you have a wonderful birthday.... :)

BAILEY

March 1, 1995-May 22, 2010

We have a secret, you and I that no one else shall know, for who but I can see you lie each night in fire glow? And who but I can reach my hand before we go to bed and feel the living warmth of you and touch your silken head? And only I walk woodland paths and see ahead of me, your small form racing with the wind so young again, and free. And only I can see you swim in every brook I pass and when I call, no one but I can see the bending grass.

We miss you lots.....

Happy Birthday Emma

Have a really fun birthday.... We love you lots and can't wait to see you soon!!

Thank you!!!

Big thanks to our wonderful kids who surprised us with this new deck furniture at the lake for Mother's Day and Father's Day. I'm sure it will get lots of use..... :) We love it!!!

Mother's Day Wishes....

To all the Mothers in my life.... I wish you a great day joy and peace :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNkp4QF3we8

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.... You're the wind beneath my wings.

Herding Fun Day

We attended a Herding Fun Day in CT on Sunday put on by our Australian Shepherd Club. We had a lecture in the morning and learned lots about dog training and herding. Then we had some demos with seasoned dogs in various stages of training. It was amazing to see them work the sheep. Our own dogs were then put to the test in a small indoor arena with "fake" sheep (sheep that are already well seasoned and know what to do). Ike was a little tentative around these bigger animals, but had fun chasing them after a few go arounds. It was an interesting an informative day.... :)

Flooding Rains

We had terrible rains for three days this weekend!! Our front yard was a lake (the oasis is my garden). At least we weren't boating from our houses like some other towns in the area. Some places had water 4 feet in their basements. We didn't have one drop of water in our basement this time thanks to the new drain and the lack of snow.
It's bright and sunny today and temps will be in the 60's all week and maybe reach 70 this weekend!!! What a weird winter this has been!!!
The earliest "ice out" at the Lake has been April 2nd and Vic is betting we'll beat that this year.

Happy Birthday Lucas :)

Remember the HAT!!! Can't believe you're THREE already!! Have a great birthday!!

Thought for Today...

• You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
• You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
• You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
• You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
• You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
• You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence.
• You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.
• ~Abraham Lincoln

Happy Birthday Bailey

Happy 15th Birthday Bailey..... 3-1-95.....3-1-10. Our first Aussie... where it all began :) Keep going girlie!!!

Today

IKE WAS HERE!!!!

Winter.....

Well, so much for seeing patches of grass in the yard. Winter has returned and we're supposed to get about 8 inches of snow. I'll probably get to do some snowshoeing with the dogs tomorrow. Haven't done much of that this winter. It's really pretty when you don't have to go out and drive anywhere. Let it snow!!!

Happy Birthday Tucker and Ike

Tucker 2/16/02
Ike 2/16/09

Where did the year(s) go?

You and Me

Love this new song by Dave Matthews!! He sang it at the Grammy's and I saw it on one of my dog lists. More snow tomorrow, but not as bad as the mid Atlantic has seen. I'm grateful today for the sunshine :)

Three More Points

 

Denver took Winners Dog and Best of Winners yesterday at the Aussie show in Taunton (the other person holding my ribbons is the judge) for three more points towards his championship. He now has all his "major" wins and only needs two more points for his championship. Tucker needs three points. At the rate we're going that might be next year. Anyway, it sure feels good to win one once in a while.

Random Holiday Photos

We had a great holiday season this year. Lee had two weeks vacation between the shutdown and his few vacation days left. We started the season with a little snow and a family brunch hosted by Mike and Michelle. We then went to Maine for an extended stay and hung out with family and friends, took long walks with the dogs and just relaxed. The Maine kids came for an overnight. It was 5 degrees and the wind off the lake was howling... so 6 kids, 6 adults and 7 dogs were inside all day. We broke in Kevin's Wii Fit and had a great time taking turns playing games. Isn't that what the holidays are all about?
Enjoy the pictures....