Connor: College Sophomore

 He's leaving us today.... after a whole summer of having him back home again (albeit working two jobs), he's off to college again.  This time, he'll be a few hours away vs just a few minutes.

He's entering his sophomore year at a new university to better focus on his major (computer science/Internet security).  

The house will be so different without our big-hearted boy (er... man!).   Ramsey is going to miss his gaming buddy and amzing Big Brubby (who he looks up to immeasurably)! 

We love you and we know you'll continue to grow and prosper.  Give 'er h*ll young man!  We love you so much!

Lake Play

 After Connor's return from Nana and Bumpa's cabin, we had a few days with him before he had to leave for college again.  

The weather was gorgeous and the water is still nice and warm.   We all went swimming in the afternoon.

When Eric and I got out, Brayden had come to visit Connor.   Like Connor, Brayden is also very sweet to Ramsey and is so good to him.  

The boys played with Ramsey for a long time. He was in heaven!

Connor's such an amazing big brubby!!!!   I love seeing the smiles on all of their faces.

After swim time was over, Connor's other buddy Jared came out.  The three boys then went kayaking for a few hours, dropping in at the state park across the way.

Puppy Poop Duty (Doodie?!?!)

 HA! Pardon the pun... can't help myself.

So.... is it wrong to laugh (a little too much) when your 7-year-old is on "puppy poop duty" and is grimmacing profusely?    Teach 'em young, I always say!  haha!

During his very first time doing this particular "character-building" chore, he was a good sport about it.  He complained once that it smelled bad, but then just bucked up and got it done!  Two buckets full of Jango skat.  Yikes! 

I did order him a formal "pooper scooper" which he'll be able to use in future endeavors.

It's strange... when you don't live on a ranch or farm, childhood chores are completely different! 

A Dedication of Service

I have always given Eric MAJOR props for his lengthy law enforcement career. The mental and physical fortitude it takes to be a good police officer is unknown to most people.  

As an homage to Eric's service, I ordered a shadow box.  He had a bag full of mementos from his years of service.  I tasked myself with putting everything together in the framed box in a way that it all made sense.

He was gone (to Nana and Bumpa's cabin) and I had NO IDEA where to start with all of his chevrons, badges, stripes, pins, medals, etc.  But, after some research online, I finally figured it out.

This shadow box had been a "to do" for a while now.  But, I finished the project while Eric was seeing his family and gave it to him when he returned, on our anniversary.  It's displayed in the lower level hallway (at the bottom of the stairs) with the mahogany carved replica of his captain-rank police badge that was given to him by the detective division at his retirement party at the PD.

Eric & Connor's Trip to the Cabin

 Since Connor couldn't go to the cabin over the 4th of July, he went for a week now.  He had put in his notices at work to wrap up both of his jobs by July 31st.   So... he'd have a full week and a half with Nana and Bumpa.   Eric also drove separately, as he wasn't going to stay quite as long.

The boys weren't exactly great about getting me pictures of what CONNOR did while he was there (though he did a lot of fishing and had special Nana & Bumpa time).   I did, however, get this picture from Eric.

One afternoon while the boys (Eric, Connor, and Bumpa) were crank-baiting, they hooked onto this bad boy.   It was large enough to mount, but Eric decided against it and threw the Northern back.

The next day, they hooked onto another one... even bigger than this.   Eric gave the line to Connor to reel in.  I was told it was "like a log" and at least 6 inches longer than the first Northern.  Unfortunately, the line was set too tight (Eric confesses he didn't loosen the drag) and, right before it was netted, the fish threw his head and snapped the line.    Another fishing story for the books!

I felt bad when I heard the news; the boys were disappointed.  The only upside is that this saved over $1000 taxidermy bill.  

New Friend/Rekindled Friendship

 At Ramsey's soccer camp, I ran into a dear friend of mine whom I hadn't seen in AGES - Teri.  She only lives 45 minutes away, but when lives get busy, friends grow apart and lose touch.

She has a teenage daughter (I used to go to all of her birthday parties when she was little!) and also a 5-year-old son, just about to start Kindergarten.  His name is Stetson.

At the camp, Teri and I found each other on the last day and chatted up a storm the entire hour.   We made a play date arrangement for the boys to play at Allevity Entertainment on the following weekend.

While at Allevity, the boys played Laser Tag, thrashed around and climbed in the 2-story jungle gym/ball pit, played so many games (cashing in for prizes), etc.  They quickly became best buds - they were truly two peas in a pod.

Teri and I chatted so much, this is the only picture we got... outside, after the fun time.... with sun in the boys' eyes.  Whoops!

We're planning future play dates; boys can do fun things while us girls will continue to renew our friendship.  I missed my friend so much!  

Jango: Six Month Birthday

 Yes, this is a puppy-obsessed Momma post.  But, we gotta keep tabs on this dog's growth - it's insane!

Happy HALF Birthday to Jango!  At six months old, he weighs in at a whopping 78 lbs!  From what we've read, six months is the halfway point for a dog's growth.  He's going to be huge!   Seriously, his growth spurt has got to curb off here SOON... you'd think...?!?!?!

Jango is such a spoiled little stinker.  He still thinks he's a lap dog (he always ends up stepping on the worst places - ouch!).  He also loves hanging out in my office while I work (either on the daybed or beneath my desk near my feet). and he's Ramsey's protector at night, sleeping with him at night.   

Sidenote:  Jango is SUPPOSED to sleep at the foot of the bed. But, when I check on Ramsey at night or wake him up in the morning, Jango is at the head of the bed, with his head right next to Ramsey's.  I was so paranoid at first... thinking that Jango might smother him, but he seems to be careful (at that ONE thing)!