It's been a while...

They haven't been home much this summer, so Lily has been out to pasture. She was a bit fiesty while they were riding her around the yard, but when they started crawling all over her, and standing up on her back, she remembered how to stand like a statue!

Barely Legal

She caught a brook trout that was just big enough to fry up for supper! It sure was a tasty tidbit! I decided it was more like hunting than fishing though, because the brook is so shallow right now. She and her brother had to search out all the fishy hiding spots. Their patience paid off though with lots of bites and they had lots of fun together! I enjoyed tagging along behind them, listening to their banter, and relaxing near the water.

The gang's all here!

Laliberte Invitational

Today is the official start of cross country season! Woohoo!! Let's go Vikings!!!!

He got his trophy!

National Dog Day

We celebrated with a run, of course!

And afterwards - a quick dip in the beaver bog. For Amber. Not me!!

It's that time of year, again!

Commemorative Mugs

We were the only 2 in the family who completed all the races in the series this year!

2 years in a row for both of us!! 

LA Bridge Run 5k

This morning the boys and I ran the 3rd and final race in this year's Greater LA Triple Crown 5k Series. I was feeling a bit 'under the weather', but decided to run/walk the race anyway because I wanted to finish out the series, and because it's such a pretty course which crosses 3 bridges that connect the cities of Auburn and Lewiston, Maine. My younger son stayed with me, and helped me to smile throughout a tough race - he also motivated me to a 37+ minute finish, which was way better than I was expecting! (You might also note that suddenly he's taller than me!!)

My older son ran a slower race than he would have liked, but he ran with a cross-country buddy and they had a great time enjoying the course together. Both of my boys proved that they are learning the lessons I am trying to teach them - sometimes running races is more about the people than the clock. However, he still placed 5th for his age group, and his consistency over the 3-race series paid off. He WON the Triple Crown Trophy for his age group! (Now, we just need to find the time to get back to the city and pick it up!)

Table Tennis

This morning we set up the net on the kitchen table and put the rest of the World 'on hold'. 

It was almost too much fun! If someone else in the family didn't know how to cook we would have starved.

Addictive

She's coming after me!

I think she wants her supper. Now!!

Lunch Break

It's been wicked hot all week! Today I came home for lunch so that Amber could cool off with a quick swim in the pond. That, right there, is a happy dog.

Yup!

Let's take a walk...

There's always something new to enjoy in the gardens! 

"Come on, Mom. Let's go!"

It was so hot today that Amber barely moved an inch all day, until I asked her if she wanted to go for a ride. Nobody likes riding in a car as much as Amber. Suddenly she came alive - jumping, spinning and whining with excitement as she ran out to the car, where she waited very impatiently for me to let her in!

A Fun Change

I'm happy with my latest adornment!

A New Hibiscus Flower

Early Morning in the Garden

Summer Sunset

Lucky Horseshoe

Good catch!

My eagle-eyed step-daughter shot this one and sent it to me!

Exercising Lady

Mom has been in the hospital all week with Dad, so their dog Lady has been cooped up in the house. She asked me to stop at their house and tire her out. I brought the 2 best weapons in my arsenal - my younger son and Amber. They had a great time playing!

Mission accomplished.

Panthers are State Champions!

Topiary Hibiscus

You may have noticed that I have quite the collection of hibiscus plants, but this plant (this year's Mother's Day gift from the girls) is my first topiary hibiscus. It has really exceeded my expectations with flowers this summer! Today it has 7 flowers all open at once!

Parking Challenges

They just don't design parking garages with large vehicles in mind, do they?

Room with a View

Unfortunately, it's a hospital room for my father, but this is the best place for him to be right now.

Bear Family

These guys currently reside at the Kennebunk Rest Area on Interstate 95. I almost just walked on by, but when I saw the sign, I had to stop and take a picture. After all, I'm always obedient! 

Just kidding! I took a picture because a month ago I wouldn't have had a clue where Ira Mountain was, but now I know that it is at the 'Top of the World'!

There's a storm brewing!

Me & My Little Herd

Beach to Beacon Day!

I might have to agree with my step-daughter's assessment, "That was the best race ever."

It was his fourth, my second, and her first time running one of the biggest races of the year! It was wicked hot & humid, but we all survived and had fun anyway. He placed in the top 1000 out of almost 7000 runners, and she placed 23rd in her age group. The spirit at this race is absolutely awesome, which is one reason why we like to run it. I could tell so many stories: laughing and racing as we biked to the park, visiting with all the excited runners at the start, hearing a great rendition of the National Anthem sung by a local girl, cheering our way across the start line, looking ahead and behind me at the crowd and feeling like I was enjoying a run with 6,000 friends, (6,602 to be exact - runners from 15 countries, 41 states and more than 265 Maine cities and towns) high-fiving spectators along the route, listening to a guy playing guitar and singing for us, dancing our way past speakers blasting music, laughing as we let kids spray us with hoses, soaking up encouraging words from spectators, tackling a hill to the beat of a man banging on a pan with a wooden spoon, enjoying one of the most beautiful courses, finishing an exhausting race with a great friend who pushed me a bit faster than I would otherwise have run, and thanking everyone along the way because the people are what makes B2B such a great event!