...we got a dog

Yes - we finally got a dog. It was one of the first things Dagny ever asked for besides milk so we broke down and picked up a dog from a great place in PA. I (Karl) wanted a Labrador and the girls wanted something a little smaller so we "compromised" and got a Yorkchon.....it gets bigger....I think.

Meet Sadie...she is small but cute and really feisty....the girls LOVE her.

Dagny takes a moment to enjoy our new dog.

First day of school 2011-2012 River School

Right after Labor Day was the first day of school for Ainsley and Dagny - thankfully they are old pros at this and are having a great time.

The girls before we go to their new classrooms.

The girls and mom.

The four of us before Ainsley kicked us out and started her day.

Dagny and Karl

Wagons Ho for Lynchburg

Over Labor Day weekend we had an opportunity to visit with dear friends Brian, Emily and their son Oliver. We had a great time - we enjoyed and appreciated their company and hospitality.

While in Lynchburg we went to a great Children's museum where we all worked on our gross motor skills.

and practiced riding ponies...

and raced bikes..Brian cheated.

Posing under some huge insect sculpture.

A great shot of Ainsley on the swings that Brian took.

Melissa hits NYC

Around mid-August Melissa travelled to NYC to meet with Jordi and check out a show "Sleep No More" which she absolutely loved.

The view from Melissa's hotel looking downtown.

While there Melissa had to hit a favorite from way back Alice's Tea Cup

Melissa also hooked up with her cousins Christin and Courtney.

Melissa had a fantastic time.

Grandma Nancy in DC

A few days after Erik and family left Grandma Nancy came and visited and the girls had a great time hanging out with her. We did the usual, zoo, park, etc and took time relaxing.

Time at the park...the girls always enjoy a new swing pusher.

and then it was time for the zoo where floppy hats are in this year.

Girls posing with grandma.

Girls had a great time and so did grandma.

Chicago Comes to Visit

Late in July our Chicago Family (Erik, Sara, Faelyn and Lenora) came to visit us for a week and we all had a great time and took probably 1,000 photos. Don't worry - i didn't post all of them - only 800....we can't wait to see them again.

The National Zoo was a favorite for everyone.

Erik even found a new hat.

We had a photo shoot with the cousins...this is take 350 of 700..we got a few great shots.

While in DC we hit the sculpture garden...still trying to figure out what this was.

The girls take a moments reflection.

All girls photo...

Erik and Karl had one taker for theirs.

The cousins enjoying lunch - it was here where Ainsley/Dagny pressed upon Faelyn and Lenora the importance of Ketchup.