More of June (or, "Alice goes all the places and meets all the people")

When we weren't at Pride festivals or Waldameer this month, we...

Went to campfires with friends.  Always and forever grateful to have found deep, real friendships with co-workers these past four years at Lewis.  Amazing teachers and true friends whose support has not wavered through all the changes this year.  Plus they are a hoot to have a fire with.

Took pictures of a puppy.  Pretty much constantly.

Went to the dog beach.  This girl never fails to find a family with young kids to "adopt" and have  a great time. A gentle, loving, lake-obsessed soul, this girl.

Went to Euclud beach.  A lot.

Took a road to trip to bowling green and got to meet several important people in Holly's life.  And Alice saw her first lighthouse. She liked it but she liked that one piece of mulch she found to chew on, even better. 

Celebrated Father's Day. Holly's dad got to meet Alice for the first time and she melted him.

Kitten wore a bow.

And Nat got his red vest for ski patrol.  This guy.  The best possible dad in the world.  Words can't express the way he supports our kids so absolutely, always putting them first and going the extra mile for them.  We are one lucky family.

Went to Alumni weekend!   Just dinner and dancing but it was enough.  Hiram was magic as always.

And Alice made friends everywhere of course.

The 90's were very under-represented as always (here we all are, lol) but we had a blast with some kids from class of 2014, staying up late and drinking all the drinks and pretending to be 21 again...

It was great fun to show Holly the place where so many of my stories come from-- and show her the way we all behave when we are back there lol. 

Went to an engagement party for Holly's cousin.  A wonderful barbeque ( we found out Alice REALLY likes pork ribs) and great to meet more of Holly's family.

Went to summer swim meets! Our first meet was at home at the Heights High pool and while Alice did not attend she was present in all of the catch-up conversations I got to have with swim parents- most of whom I've not seen since before March.  It wsa remarkably not-awkward (thanks, puppy stories) and great to see everyone.  

Also when did my did my kid get to be one of the giant swimmers at the summer meets!  The size of these kids is emphasized more by the having a bunch of 8 year olds on the deck with them...

Took a spontaneous trip to Wagar beach where we randomly met a basset hound belonging to some rich people who invited us to let the dogs run in their perfect lakefront yard.  

Went to riding lessons.  Here's Ivy working on balance with eyes closed, part of her dressage training.  It's not easy for her but she perseveres, because she's the best.

Also here's Alicd in the goat yard...

And breaking the hearts of little girls...

And meeting horses....

Went out for drinks with friends.  Alice got to play with Cheyenne and I got to see Donna and get caught up on her life since its been forever since we've talked.

Also ran into our neighbors on the patio because its a small world.

Taeka plus Alice = pure magic.

And to think I used to consider Cheyenne to be a very small dog...

Went to Cumberland.  Have gotten quite a few quality afternoons of swimming and basking and reading and drinking already this summer.  I am pleased. 

Got haircuts.  I got mine chopped and colored (crazy!!) right at the start of the month, then Ivy had her turn.  Here she is AFTER getting it cut and thinned.  The hair on this one!

Went to Stan Hywet!  Managed to rustle up several of our Akron area COC besties to join us at my favorite place and we had a fabulous afternoon. 

Went to the vet!  Baby's first vet visit.  Perfect in every way, up to 2 pounds 4 ounces, and vaccinated for kennel cough.  She was so chill at the vets that she fell asleep in the basket they gave her to sit in. 

Got a bath!  Alice's first sink bath did not dissapoint.  She IS in fact the funniest thing on earth when wet. 

Had dinner with friends! Kevin and nat are the Cocktail Choir leaders and now, I think we can genuinely say, two of our really good friends.  Had a blast making lasagna and putting on a proper dinner party- which we finished off with a walk to our personal lakefront for sunset because life is pretty ok.