Introducing......Trixie!

So, we got a new dog. It belonged to a neighbor of my mom's but they were done with it so we got it. And it is a fabulous addition to our house. It is a tiny white toy poodle named Trixie (formerly, Cotton, but we thought that was lame).

As you can see, she got along with Hazel almost immediately.
As her name suggests, she is one tricky dog. Or, at least a tolerant one.

A few days after we got her (she came down with my mom for Labor Day weekend), it was her birthday (September 8, for those keeping track at home). We couldn't let her first birthday with our family pass without a birthday party. Hazel made hats.
And we had cupcakes. And we had guests (the aunties). And presents (bones). And a lovely song, which I should find and upload because it was awesome.
Trixie was quite pleased with the celebration.
The cupcakes were still delicious the next day.

So, there you go. New dog. She is awesome. I will never* again get a puppy. An older dog (she is four now) is the best. House broken, kennel trained, shots up-to-date, tolerant with the mauling of children. We just need to get her fixed.

We LOVE Trixie! Thanks, mom. And mom's neighbors.

*Not a guarantee.

Yellowstone

We had the opportunity to go to Yellowstone with some friends and, thus, we jumped on it. Because they are fun and we like going places. This was the week before Labor Day, as opposed to now, the week after Labor Day. But, frankly, I am usually a LOT more behind on updating pictures.

Moving on.

Hazel was feeling a bit under the weather, and thus asked to be carried a lot. Plus, it was crazy cold. Luckily, I had watched the weather and packed reasonably well.

Aaaah...cute.
We also went to Yellowstone Bear World*. Hazel fed a baby deer. And we all fed baby bears. That was Hazel's most favorite part. They ate milk (sheep milk, I believe) out of a real baby's bottle. Very exciting. Channa took some pictures, I will have to get them from her. We were not allowed to take pictures during the feed. Just imagine us feeding an 80-lb bear cub. And then look at the picture of Hazel feeding a deer.
We stayed at this cabin in Island Park. The first two days we went to Yellowstone and drove and hike and drove and hike, repeat. The third day we were all tired and decided to hang out near the cabin (excellent idea, BTW). The kids ran around (and picked some flowers), we played some horseshoes, ate leftovers for lunch and generally had a relaxing, fabulous day. I love vacation.
Family picture. Wow.
Rainbow. Sadly, not a double complete rainbow.
Another family shot. If this one was lightened, it wouldn't be too bad.
I may have more pictures somewhere, but that is all I found. It was a great trip, even if I don't have a million pictures to show for it. Maybe that is why it was a great trip, more relaxing, less photographing.

*It is NO WHERE near Yellowstone, seriously. It is like 90 minutes outside Yellowstone.

The other camera

Things we have done:

1- Neighborhood bike parade. Random, and fun!
2- Geoff and I celebrated our 12th anniversary. I revamped his Mongoose. And Hazel and I made signs.
3- Had a sleepover with Nova while Jenni spent an extra night in Paris.
4- Wore a hat, apparently.
5- Went Jeepin' with Kyle. (notice that Hazel has a little Cap'n in her)
6- Worked on the deck. Forever and ever.
7- Sometimes, wore goggles while working on the deck. Notice the big line of paint across the kid's face. A shingle fell on her whilst priming.
8- Helped out with the hot food. Those mitts may not work for the oven but they work for the microwave.
And we went to Yellowstone, but that will take another post.