A new addition

Last friday as I was talking to Korey after a long day at school and lab work, he pushed the coffee table aside, and would you believe it? There was a sweet nervous little black lab puppy sitting under there. We have been talking about getting a dog for a very long time, but the timing was never right. Last friday however, the stars aligned unbeknownst to me, and Korey went and picked her up. Our friend Jimmy had found her on Craig's list. Black lab breeders had had an accidental litter and were giving away full blooded black labs. We snagged the last one of the litter and I am amazed that she did not get snatched up sooner.

She was nervous that first day but she has since then quickly come out of her shell. 

We took her down by the river this week as a right of passage and to see how she would do in the river water.

Jimmy and Wendy came with us with Jimmy's dog, Madison, and Ben and Kelly met us with Ben's dog, Molly.

I love this place. It's so beautiful, from the tadpoles in the puddles to the gorgeous rushing river. I can't help but wonder what it must have felt like for settlers to stumble upon it for the first time.

I really wanted to get good pictures of our new puppy, Clover, but every time she was sitting pretty and I bent to take her picture, she would run to me. I got several pictures like this. 

And this.

And this. 

And this one is my favorite.

She ran

And played

And got belly rubs.

Korey coaxed her into the water

And she learned that she could swim.

 Madison liked the water too.

I'm not sure how Molly liked the water, but I know she liked the geese.

At least until she discovered the fish.

When Clover finally was all tuckered out, I was able to get a few good shots of her.

And then we took our tired girl home.

Our sweet Clover.

Skipping Seasons

We had so much fun hanging out at the beach with our buddies Stella and Brad. I find myself staring at the background to my computer in between my classes and wishing I could be back there by the sand and sea.

We ate oysters drowning in butter at Hunt's

And drank fruity drinks by the bay while we watched the sunset

Stella and I lusted after clothing 

And jewelry

While our men were completely enthralled by the stunt kites Korey and I brought.

It was amazing to watch the boys make them dive toward the sand

And then swoop them upward back into the sky without ever touching the ground.

We made orange sherbet

And of course, lounged at the beach.

Where my biggest dilemma was whether to help or take a picture.

What a sweet trip with sweet friends.

They even brought their sweet little dog, Nanette. 

I couldn't resist taking a million pictures of her.

One night, Stella and I decided to have a nanette photo shoot on the beach at sunset. It goes without saying that this dog loves the sand.

She ran this way

And that way

And this way again.

I couldn't resist laughing at her little "tuck" and run. 

and her ears flapping freely in the wind.

She wanted sand on every part of her, especially her ears.

Although she instantly bonded with the sand, it took a little coaxing to get her into the surf.

She finally pranced into the water with Stella by her side

And unfortunately the poor soul was promptly met with a stout wave.

After that, she was content to watch the waves from a distance.

or safe in the arms of her mama.

And now that our beach trip is over, I want it to instantly be fall. Does anyone else feel that way? I'm ready for football games and intramural sports, crisp weather, light jackets, and the golden colors of autumn. I can already feel the anticipation building inside me for Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

Summer, 

please end soon. You are beautiful and wonderful and warm but please set like the sun. I'm ready for cool autumn air to come my way and I have this really cute jacket I would love to be able to wear.

Sincerely, 

Lindsey