Laura and I always loved talking on the phone

Check out my St. John windbreaker. These were our purple Care Bear phones. They had to be connected with that phone cord, but Laura and I used to string them across the hallway so we could talk to each other in our beds at night. This, of course, was only when we weren't sleeping in the same bed.

Up in the sky

Dylan loves to point out every airplane that goes by. When he does, I tickle his armpit and say "Got your armpit" Every once in a while, he'll just point up at the ceiling fan or something and look at me. He's asking for me to tickle him. So cute!

Dakota!

Dave & Kelly stopped over with their Great Bernese Mountain Dog - Dakota. It was a Saturday so I had Dylan. Blarney & Dakota had a great time running around. Dylan absolutely loves animals so he was happy to play with them. Yes, the picture is accurate in showing Dakota is taller than Dylan. She will be about 85-100 lbs full grown, she's still a puppy.

Firehouse

I got Dylan one of those 8 foot wide inflatable houses for my backyard. The box says ages 3+, but I thought I'd give it a shot. Jeff & Blarney spent more time inside than Dylan did. (See Jeff peeping out of the wheel). But Dylan did go in it a few times. Maybe next summer he'll like it more.

Update

Went to Great Lakes Medieval Fair. The jousting crew kinda sucked and we didn’t even stay to watch the third one. Hopefully we will go to Michigan’s this year and it will be better. They did have an Alpaca there which I petted twice, for about 10 minutes each time. He (she-who knows?) was soo soft and kinda reminded me of Blarn. He was shaved, but the top of his hair was curly like Blarney’s and he was very soft.

Laura and Jeff had a picnic in the pavilion by their house. It’s a large field, almost an island surrounded by a small creek with a cute little curved bridge to get into it. Mark said we should try to take Blareny. We had never taken him anywhere “off-leash” before so I was scared. He was really good and never strayed away. I was very proud of him. He did jump up on Tom and put a muddy smudge on his World’s Greatest Dad shirt. It was so great to see Lori & Tom and to meet beautiful baby Maia. Jon & Kristy were there with Carmella and I hadn’t seen her since Dylan’s first birthday party. Those curly locks are so cute. The kids were all really well behaved. Mom and Dad were there too, unfortunately Jeff’s rents couldn’t make it. Jeff got burgers from his work, it’s the ones they deliver to a lot of famous restaurants – they were yummy! We had a ton of food and drink. It was a perfect Sunday!! Oh yeah…wait a minute…I forgot to mention I got stung by a wasp! It felt like someone held a lighter to my ankle for about an hour and half, then it just hurt for about 2 more hours, then was a mild pain for about 5 more hours. I was glad to get stung if it meant that Dylan, Carmella, or Maia were spared.

I’m reading a book. Thanks Crystal, I’m about 1/3 done with Tori’s first book. I plan to go onto the second one once Marie’s done with it.

Did anyone else watch Southern Bells – Louisville? It was good!

Another joke from Mark's mom's boyfriend...

The Man Rules
At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down

Men always hear "the rules" from the female side...Now here are the rules from the male side.

Please note.. these are all numbered "1" ON PURPOSE!

1. Men are NOT mind readers (first and foremost rule)

1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports, It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!

1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become Null and void after 7 Days.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one

1. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done. Not both.
If you already know best how to do it , just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials..

1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings.
Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will act like nothing's wrong.
We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle..

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear.

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine... Really .

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as Football or Hockey.

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

Thank you for reading this. Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight; But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.

THIRTY FIVE YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Anniversary mom & dad! Thirty Five Years today!!