Baby Laurel at the beach (Beach part 3)

I can't believe she's 7 months old! So fast.

Uncle Pat and Laurel surrounded by a sea of blue eyed cousins! He said he and Laurel were outnumbered!

Labor Day beach fun part 2

Cousins and best friends!!!

The green bathing beauties in their orient exp fashions.......Barbara and I liked it because we could keep track of all those girls in the ocean!!!!

Victory!

Labor Day beach fun part 1

Lucy Helen and Caroline in the laundry room working a puzzle

Lucy Helen (4), Duncan (2), Caroline (4), Elizabeth (9), Laurel (6mths), Merrill (12), Rebecca (20 months) and Maury (6 1/2)

Our sweet dog

I am typing with tears and so sad to say that our much loved yellow lab Aslan has died. He was 15 and we knew he had taken a turn for the worse in the last few days, but for some reason I am still shocked that he is really gone. Richard suspected last night when he couldn't get him to eat that he might not wake up this morning and he was right. He said he was actually relieved to see him so peaceful this morning instead of laboring to breathe like he was last night. I had to call petsmart to cancel his bath tonight and got so upset when I was telling the lady on the phone. I guess that made it real. We have some great memories and precious pics of him through the years, but I regret not taking his picture Tuesday when we took him to the park with us. I thought about it, and didn't want to think it was his last walk to the park. Richard is actually doing well...he's seen this coming, really for a couple of years. The girls know he is old and that he has not been getting around so they will not be terribly surprised. But we will all miss him so much!

Open House hug

Had to go see Nana, aka "Mrs. Francille" at preschool open house, too!!!!

Mrs. Kevin Ann and Lucy at Open House

Anna Belle, Cadi, Will and Lucy - future classmates

Rebecca's got to wait one more year for 2's

A quick hug from Maury's K teacher Mrs. Elizabeth

Open House was chaotic and fun, all at the same time. Getting to see friends we have missed this summer and past teachers was great. Lucy Helen's looking forward to 4 year old preschool with Mrs. Kevin Ann!!!!

Lil sis at the park

Rebecca and I went to pick Maury up from play practice and had a few minutes on the playground. I was amazed at how she could go up the big kid slide, slide down and then walked up the slide by her self. She says "I'll do " meaning "I can do it myself!!!"