Easter 2016

We started our Easter celebration on Saturday because Em and Paul were in town. No celebration is complete without a doggie photo shoot and Hazel and Brooke did not disappoint! On Easter Sunday, we went to Amy's house since this may be their last holiday in their current house as they are moving. The weather was so beautiful that we spent most of the day outside. 

Cousins!

Easter Morning! Kiera's basket was nestled in the guest

room pillows. Also note her pajamas...her favorite jimmies

are Dave's t-shirts!

The best Easter gift of all...a beautiful, 70 degree day!

Cousins!

What happened to Kiera's Easter dress? 

Lots of love for Brooke when we got home!

Animals Galore!

 Kiera's been in Heaven lately...Ryan got a new kitty...Hazel was in town for Thanksgiving...and of course, Brooke is Kiera's side kick! Ryan told Kiera she could name the kitty, but she couldn't come up with anything (she liked the name Monkey because he was always climbing on things). Finally, Emily thought of the name "Rory" after the Psychologist Hermann Rorschach who developed the Rorschach Inkblot test, referencing the inkblot like markings on kitty's nose.

 Meet Rory!

 The day after Thanksgiving, we go to Mimi and Papa's house

and the whole fam helps decorate their house for Christmas.

 Before the toys got put away to make room for

the Christmas decor, Hazel places her order...

"Double order of bacon, please!"

 Back at home, Kiera and Brooke like to snuggle on Kiera's 

rug in front of the heat vent.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pumpkin Hat

We all know Brooke is a good pup! She's photogenic and a good sport; posing with props is usually pretty easy with her. We headed outside to take some fall pics wearing a pumpkin hat. While we were outside, two of our neighbor dogs (and their owners) came outside too and before you knew it,  both pups took turns modeling the hat. Then, it got me thinking...I should send this hat to Hazel so she could model it on her Instagram account. I mailed off the hat and a note dubbing the hat "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pumpkin Hat." Emily posted a pic of Hazel wearing it on Instagram then our family wanted in on the fun too! So off the hat went to Michelle and Maui. Next stops include Nicole and Begley, Baleigh and Linus, and Olivia and Sonny.

Brooke's favorite activity (other than modeling) is playing

catch with her frisbee

Nellie

Kate and Winnie

Suzanne and Nellie

The pumpkin hat made it's way to Chicago!

Here's Hazel...

 Then off it went to Columbus!

Here's Maui...

Next, off to Cinicinnati!

Here's Begley...

(pic coming soon!)

PIB

Emily did a PIB post on her blog, so rather than reinvent the wheel (she's a better writer than me anyways!) I used her words...What a perfect weekend to visit PIB…the weather was beautiful, the cottage was free, and my birthday was on Friday. The beach was overtaken by algae, but we didn’t let that stop our fun! This was Paul and Hazel’s first visit to the island…they both loved it! Friday night we celebrated my birthday at Hooligans Irish Pub with fish and chips, Black and Tans, and a chocolate Guinness cheesecake. Later that night, Ty and Em showed Paul how to party, island style! On Saturday, Papa and Kiera visited Perry’s Monument and snapped some great pics on the clear day while Mom,  Em and I lounged in the sun (and Em got POOPED ON by a stupid bird). That afternoon, we headed to the Boardwalk for the famous lobster bisque and some delicious lobster roll sandwiches. After lunch Kiera enjoyed the playground at DeRivera Park, and we made our way to the Candy Bar for ice cream cones and to load up on the best salt water taffy (vanilla only, please!). That evening back at the cottage we watched/sang along to the Music Man, made sriracha crackers, played Mancala (for the first time in 10+ years!), did card tricks, and enjoyed the cool island breeze. 

A PIB photo shoot of Hazel

                          A great picture of Mimi and Ty before he headed back to the mainland on Saturday.
                                We’re glad you were able to come to PIB for at least a little while, Ty!

Paul pointing to Chicago and Em pointing to Cleveland

Our favorite restaurant on the island, The Boardwalk!

"We pledge allegiance to America...and to lobster bisque!"

I enjoyed a yummy summertime cocktail that matched her outfit!

Off to DeRivera Park...

Kiera is a monkey bar pro! Check out her skipping rings...

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

Photo bomb!

Another fabulous weekend at PIB with the best family ever!