September 2022

 September was a big month as we got to see the boys over Labor Day and enjoyed the beautiful weather with some outdoor activities, and then celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary in Europe!

It is always great to have Thomas and Brennan home!  We usually create a good meal together, hang out with the dogs and the boys talk computers together.  Looking forward to seeing them both this weekend to celebrate David's birthday.

I went on a hike at Yellowwood State Forest with friends.

And David and I took the dogs to Bernheim Forest in Kentucky for an afternoon of hiking.  They LOVE a road trip.

Two of the 3 giants we hike to at Bernheim

The walk out to see the forest canopy

We found our brick on the 1821 Bicentennial Trail that's been expanded downtown Columbus.  They had not even grouted it yet.

Brennan attends events at the art museum in West Lafayette and he heard about a dog event so Bailey got to tag along.  

I understand he did really well at Brennan's apartment and with all the other dogs at the event.

Bailey loves to have his photo taken.  Here he's posing with his bone.

David and I were so lucky to get to go to Europe for our 30th.  We could not have asked for better weather.  We chose to do a Central Europe rail trip of 3 cities along the Danube River.  We flew into Budapest, Hungary for a couple of days.  Then we took the train to Vienna, Austria for 2 days, and then we took the train to Prague, Czech Republic for another couple of days.  It was a really great trip!

Here are a few photos of our time in Budapest.  I really enjoyed seeing this capital city.  It was a lot more modern than I expected it to be.  And just so clean and pretty.

We also enjoyed Vienna.  It had been a very long time since I had been there.  I really didn't remember much.  We toured Schonbrunn Palace and a lot of the old city.  Our hotel was in a newer, more modern part of the city so it was nice to see both sides.  

And then on to Prague.  I think I was most excited to get to know Prague since I've heard such great things.  It measured up for sure!

These are just a FEW of the photos we took.  September is a great time of year to visit Europe!

Happy Fall Y'all!

June 2022

 

I have to start this blog post with a reflection of some sad news last month.  My sweet mother-in-law Carolyn passed away. She has been my second mom for over 30 years and I am just hoping that she and my father-in-law Don and my mom are all together in Heaven.  It's been a year of loss for our family.  Here are a few photos of Carolyn and me over the years.

We also got to celebrate some birthdays and Father's Day in June as well!

Our friend Cindy (far right) celebrated a milestone birthday and we made it a spa day.  So fun!

Father's Day was also fun.  I hate that we could not celebrate with my Dad although we did see him the week earlier.  

We met the boys at a central location and celebrated David with seafood and gifts.  What could be better?

And Thomas turned 22!  Another chance to meet up in Indy for lunch and presents.  I brought a cake which I didn't want to take in to the restaurant so we enjoyed it in the car :)  Then Thomas and I spent the afternoon clothes shopping!  It was a lot of fun.

Our book club met this month and I took this photo of a charcuterie board - they're always so pretty!  We read "The Pilot's Daughter" - I would give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Our podcast RomCom Love continues!  Diane came over to record our "The Sound of Music" discussion.  She brought Julie Andrews's favorite things - wine, Swiss chocolate, and raspberries!

Brittany made me a water bottle that includes reference to our favorite character in "Sense and Sensibility"!  PS I'm also still married so probably could use a check mark there :)

The dogs are doing well!

Sound asleep on Daddy.

The pups and I went on a short girls trip to New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia.  It was an easy drive, although somewhat long, but it was nice to meet up with a friend.  I will get our group photos from her!!  Our first day we spent at Hawks Nest State Park which is right next door to the National Park.  Except for the hotel where we had some issues, it was a GREAT trip!  

Hawks Nest State Park.  Various short hikes to beautiful overlooks.

New River Gorge has a beautiful drive where we saw waterfalls and mining town ruins.  And the underside of the New River Gorge bridge.  A little bit of rain didn't stop us and then the skies cleared.

We did two different hikes down to see the bridge and all the kayakers and white water rafters in the river.  Just gorgeous and there was NO ONE there on a Sunday or Monday.

I really loved exploring the old mining and rail town ruins.  We met up with a group of about 40 backpackers who took Amtrek to this ruins area and were spending 3 nights in the national park.  They were on a 6 month trip via rail, hiking and camping, visiting 48 states.  West Virginia was 33 for them!  They took several photos with the dogs!

June has come and gone and we are celebrating Independence Day for about a week!  

Happy 4th of July to you!