Nephews visit

My sister and her two sons live a few hours away and don't visit me often. So it was very cool when they came to visit (mostly to go to Lego Fest here in town..but I was a bonus!).
We took my nephews to a local park in Richmond.
The park has a lot of 'local' wildlife' on display as well as statues of local wildlife.  Boone loved the bears and bald eagles.

 It was a beautiful day and the weather was perfect for a walk in the park.  I was happy that my joints have healed up enough to do this type of things again!

 At one point, we stopped to take a family photo and they took Dixon out of the stroller.  We were all distracted by his cuteness and didn't realize the stroller was bouncing down the hill (empty, thank goodness)

But it was a great opportunity for a little sisterly 'devilishness' to come through so I just photographed her running after the runaway stroller that had NO intention of stopping.

 It was eventually caught and Dixon was placed happily back in his nest.

 All in all it was a great afternoon!  We were having carpeting installed in the house, so they didn't get to come see the fur kids.  But I have a feeling the boys will love Roxi and Cody quite a bit!

Beach Bound Hounds 2014 and 9 Month ampuversary

Kristen and I packed up and headed to Beach Bound Hounds again this year (5th year). We love this event. This is the first year I haven't taken Dana. She is too old now and it is a very active vacation. But Cali and Cody stepped up to the plate and had a great time!!!
This is Cali's 5th year but this year she had a few 'disabilities'. But she handled it like a champ!!!  

 She's such a beach bum

 She would lay right down and snooze the whole time

 Cali's oncologist wanted me to take a lot of photos of her while we were there..I was happy to oblige!

 this was Cody's first year and he did so well! And he got a new fancy martingale and a new coat!  He looks super handsome!

 Kristen too Kelli and Stan.

 We basically spent 3 days doing this. The weather wasn't great for sunbathing but it was perfect for having dogs on the beach. 

 The last morning was the first morning we had a great sunrise.  The whole group gathers for a group roo before everyone heads out.

 These two did such a great job at Beach Bound Hounds and I am very lucky to have them both!!!

 It also cannot go without saying that Cali celebrates her NINE month ampuversary on Tuesday (10/7).  We took her for her checkup prior to going to the beach to ensure she was 'cleared' for the trip.  Her Xrays were clear and her oncologist gave her a two thumbs up!  fingers crossed for many more of these reports. 

Bitey Face

Cali and Roxi have started playing "bitey face" every day....I am glad it is keeping her young and she seems to thoroughly enjoy it. It looks a lot more ferocious than it actually is..neither ever bite down and it is all in play.

 This isn't the greatest photo, but it made me laugh so I couldn't resist.

 But she is a greyhound after all and she wears out much quicker than Roxi does.  Right now, I have Belle and Sooie (They lost Beau a few weeks ago...we miss him).  But I'm glad I have a big couch.  I spend much of my time (no surgery required..just rest, ice and time) in that little spot at the far right of the photo..where the ice pack and laptop are..that is what they give me..

I cannot be trusted to do stairs...

There are three stairs leading to my garage from my house.  Doesn't sound like a lot...they aren't even steep or menacing in any way. But apparently I can not be trusted to do them while talking on a cell phone.

Two sprained ankles and a partial torn LCL later...and I'm hobbling around.  I don't do 'don't put any weight on it' well.  THis happened a week ago and it was too painful/swollen that day for them to tell if I had torn/ruptured anything else in my knee. So I go this Tuesday for another exam with the ortho to see if I need further procedures on my knee.  It is MUCH less painful now..though if I push it..I pay for it.  My right ankle..who has to take my entire weight even though sprained..is revolting and has become a 'zombie foot' and threatens to collapse most days.
Cali gives me lots of sympathy and I know she understands.

 We did manage to hit a winery yesterday.  Luckily, I have awesome friends who helped me and catered to me to keep me off my feet as much as possible.  I'm still paying for it today..but that is OK.  I took Roxi and Cody.  We had 10 dogs hanging under a tree while drinking wine.  Wish it had been a smidge cooler..but that is OK. 

 The greyhounds are easy to 'wear out'.  But Roxi on the other hand has a bit more energy. So seeing this (forgive the poor quality as it was in a moving vehicle) made my day on the way home.  Seven hours of 'eventing' and 'winery lounging' did her in!

Fingers crossed for 'just rehab and time' diagnosis on Tuesday.  I'm fairly confident of this. 

Not all days are lazy

With the addition of Roxi and Cody, our house isn't as lazy as my previous post may suggest.
Roxi gets lots of attention, goes a lot of places with me (including obedience school) and has tons of toys to play with...but nothing beats the coolest toy ever.

And Cali gets in on the action.  I love that she feels like playing and is enjoying every bit of her life.


Happy Labor Day!!

Lazy dogs

Roxi has definitely picked up the mentality of a greyhound.  Granted..she is still a young one and has loads of energy. But she settles easily.

 Cali is doing great.  We are approaching the 8 month ampuversary and as of now, she is going with me to Beach Bound Hounds. 

 I love this photo of Cody and Roxi's feet.  Roxi's feet are so different from the greyhounds, but they fit right in.

 Smile for the camera, little girl!

Anniversary trip

Jason and I took off for a weekend (leaving the furry ones in the capable hands of Nerice) to celebrate our 9 year anniversary.  
We started at Stone Mountain Brewery which had an awesome deck and great beer.

 Then we took off up Skyline Drive which goes along the Blue Ridge Mountains through Shenandoah National Park.  Just beautiful.  Now..i will say I had intentions of doing this in the convertible with the top down.  The weather CERTAINLY cooperated with this plan staying in the low 80s with overcast skies.  BUT that is where the cooperation ended.  Jason was in a minor car accident two days before we left..and nothing is ever minor in the Porsche words.  So we took the only rental car we could get the morning we were leaving (it eventually got exchanged for an awesome Mercedes)..but we did this trip in a Chevy..oh well.
The scenery still made it worthwhile.

 We stayed at the Lafayette Inn in Stanardsville and had a wonderful 10 course dinner at their restaurant that night.  We stayed in a cottage at the Inn which was neat.

 The next morning we headed out for some tours.
We started at CrossKeys Winery..which was stunning.

Then we went to Three Brothers brewery

And Red Beard Brewery..my favorite.

It was a different weekend trip than we are used too..we typically see tons of vineyards and grapes. But this time we focused more on breweries.  Hops can be beautiful too.