A holiday weekend ... what better way to spend it than out in nature with family?

Precious!

The first game was FUN ... But I have to admit my favorite story came from little Mr. A about his teammate Charlie who only likes to play in the dirt.
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GO UPWARD!

The latest venture is cheerleading ... and this nimble little critter is diving right in! She won an award for "most spirit" at the first game.

This not-so-nimble creature looked a little out of place on the cheer squad!

My new special place ...

Lookee what I found! This could very well be my happy place. Hello, Tuesday nights!
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Pearl Jam

The lead singer of Pearl Jam sang the star spangled banner at a Cubs game. Of course, I have to be a stalker and see how many pictures I can get. I think I may have caught him nearly picking his nose (or was that someone else) but I don't want to go through the piles of photos (actually, he's quite tiny even with my 300mm lens in the full photos) trying to find it! Forgive me for not keeping tabs ... but I'm not one to always remember who's who. Eddie is all I know!

CityChase.com

I am so curious ... I will have to check this out. Evidently they are on a scavenger hunt and filming things with their Palms.
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Dinner at Benali's

Mmmmmmm! It's a night for the girls! We are celebrating a friend's birthday Italian style.
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Horse, of course!

The smile says it all ... she'a a regular cowgirl now. I wish I had time to put together the photo album now. Eventually, I will. She is riding like a little pro!!

My little cowgirl!

Look at her! I am so proud. She just works like a little trooper and I can't wait to watch her on the horse after she is done grooming.
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Future Fantasy Suite

I have this "thing" about living in a silo ... Maybe a string of wi-fi Bed and Breakfast locations across the prairie! Now that would be awesome.
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Got dogs and a movie!

Uh ... No thanks!
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Joy of Riding

Thank goodness for grandparents with cameras! My "little one" (she's not so little any more, *sniff*) had her first riding lesson! My mothers colleague and friend used to teach private lessons for years. She's retired now, but does it for her grandchildren and invited Mom to bring hers as well. So the next trip to Grandma & Grandpa's house is going to be full of horse fun!

Ostriches and Flamingos

We used to joke about ostriches, but I think flamingos are in the same head-dunking boat!

Little Glass Houses

Well ... ok ... not all the little houses were glass. They were mostly adobe huts, actually. But the one I spent my morning at was all about glass. It was the Spanish Village where everything is all about art. WOW - was it ever a special birthday gift! I learn how to do "torch work" and I made my first glass beads. It was supremely interesting ... I'll have to take pictures of what I did (and what I make with them) later.

Peaceful Moments

I need to do this more often (except for the circumstances - not feeling well today and trying to do paperwork for a meeting tomorrow). I am suspended in my back yard, intrigued by what I hear from the birds in the tree. I love being outside. It's amazing how it can relax me. This is what I miss about freelancing ... I could work outside!

Just as I say that, our neighbor gives a sharp "Shush!" to my dog. That doesn't make me feel peaceful! LOL - but I don't blame him either. Daisy barked at him when he opened his gate. I am sure my dog does her fair share of disturbing the neighbors when I am not home!

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Hank The Tank

Our new pup is quite the addition to the family! His arrival is part of my effort to keep Miss Daisy from being lonely. But I think this little tankster might come close to driving Miss Daisy crazy! For the most part, though, she loves it. She isn't sad when I leave the house, and that makes me happy! What will make me even happier is when Hank's skunkish-coffee breath is tamed! Actually, I have to admit, it seemed more like Shredded Wheat tonight.

Neighborhood Celebrations

Ever since I moved here, I have enjoyed a special event in the summer ... the Fourth of July Celebration. While many head to the big publicized fireworks show, I join my neighbors and look into the sky from my front yard. It's amazing to me that people invest so much in their own shows! Of course, I have my camera in hand. But to capture the bursts of light is a big challenge! They are going on all around us and while I've got my camera pointed in one direction, something spectacular happens to the side or behind me, and when I turn to look, I miss the next one. I think I need to invest in a swivel chair.

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PRECIOUS!

Six weeks old ... he made it through the night wonderfully (well, wonderful in that when he did wake me up every 2 hours, I brought him to his "puppy pad" and he did his thing). Daisy is a little unsure of him and jumps whenever he touches her feet. I'm sure she will get used to him in time. We kept his nickname from his owners, Hank the Tank. He was the biggest of the puppies and has big, big feet. So we'll see how he grows! Before long, Daisy may find herself looking up at him!

Mr. Wishbone

In preparing for puppy, we got one toy ... Mr. Wishbone. And boy, am I ever glad Mr. Wishbone was around at night! I'm realizing that we will need LOTS of toys for our little one. He LOVES to play! Even Daisy is getting inspired and being a little more playful when it comes to toys. But it's like kids. The concept of sharing isn't inbred! Daisy has stolen Mr. Wishbone from Hank a few times.