We got up at 3:30am to catch an early flight back to Colorado today. It sounded good at the time but it wasn't so much fun to do! We all spent Sunday (father's day) at my sister's in Sparta. As always, she was a great host. We ate very well and the kids were entertained in the form of pool, trampoline, ATV rides, nerf guns......
Monday the boys and I did some shopping at the LL Bean outlet where they got their new backpacks for school next year. They also swam in Mike's pool for hours before going out to dinner at PF Changs (yummm). Yesterday I took the boys up to my old shelter and got some paperwork to copy and use at my current shelter. I also took the boys on a tour of my old home and neighborhood. They weren't too sure about swimming in the lake everyday like we did (but...there's algae!). We also went to Denville Dairy to get Ice Cream. Mike had a big meeting down in Trenton Tuesday night so after an early dinner I took the boys over for more swimming in the pool. While I don't like apt. life so much I DID like having a place to take them in the evening where they could go crazy for a while.
We are glad to be back.

Long Beach Island

Friday the boys and I met Dawn at a rest stop off the Parkway and drove down together to Long Beach Island State Park. The kids were thrilled to see each other....it's been a year! I was worried that we were going to freeze since it was only supposed to be a high of 70*. It was overcast but off the kids went into the water. The tide was going out and there seemed to be a strong undertow. There weren't any lifeguards on duty and so Dawn and I were a little stressed trying to make sure they didn't wander out too far. We broke for lunch around 1pm and headed down to the south end of the Island. We walked for a while down on the part of the beach where the trucks are allowed to go. The highlight of that walk was a found coconut. The kids all lined up to trows the coconut on the parking lot but Morgan got it open in one throw. Yes, it had been around a while.
We took the kids back to the beach to swim in the small window of sunshine we had. They spent a few hours in the water, shivering and shaking but having fun none the less. It was funny to watch them ride the boogie boards in....they would put the boards down on the sand and wait for the water to come and pick them up. They quickly learned to get some water under them first!
Di

Magness Camp

We attended our annual Cub Scout camp Sunday-Tuesday. This year I insisted that Mike come since they boys would be heading off for the day in opposite directions. Ben was trilled to have HIS friends along this year. The first day we had to pass a swim test so the boys could swim the lake during the camp. If we wanted to take the boys out on the lake in the canoes we, the parents, needed to pass the test as well. So, in 50* water I gamely jumped in, lost my breath and swam the required 25 yds until I could get out. Ben jumps in and can't get his breath so he's doggy paddling across the lake going "uh, uh, uh, uh.....chatter, chatter, chatter...). Poor kid.
They got to throw tomahawks which they enjoyed, as well as the usual archery and BB guns. The second night we had some pretty severe winds which in a tent that is barely even there was interesting. The wind would blow and the tent flags would bang against your cot and the whole tent would billow out and in, out and in. The kids were off around camp with their friends during the down time and you'd only see them when they needed snacks or something. They had a great time and Mike and I survived another year.

Welby

On Friday I left Welby at our Veterinary referral clinic for some more tests. The neurologist determined she has Pulmonary Artery Thrombosis. Basically she has blood clots in her femoral arteries that aren't allowing the blood to flow into her hindquarters. She gets very tired after walking for a few minutes. After blood work, an ultrasound and an echo cardiogram they still have no idea while her blood is clotting-well they call it "Ideopathic" Pulmonary Artery Thrombosis. She spent 3 days in the clinic getting heparin shots and she is now home with some drugs (Wafrin) to keep the blood thin. She isn't supposed to rough house which is hard with Auggie who wants to play. This is a picture of Welby with the stuffed duck that came with the "nuerology-to-go" bag. Yes, believe it, a doggy bag of sorts. I guess you pay enough money that throw something in to make you feel better! The kids thought it was cool and have gotten more play out of it then Welby has. The kids (and I) are glad to have her home.
Di

New Blog

Yes, I am now a proud owner of a "Blog". I had one before but I did not use it. I will try this again in the hopes it will be easier to keep in touch with family and friends.