We took a road trip to pick out 

a new family member today....

"Red puppy" (her pre-name, name) is a female brindle Great Dane!

 

Here's her BIRTH FAMILY! (well, with audra holding the baby)

We don't get to bring her home until Tuesday & it was really hard to drive away & leave her behind!

And gee...I didn't take a photo of her Gigantic, Gorgeous Sire, Apollo.

(I think I was just too busy playing with the puppies...there were 8 in all!)
But here's a photo of Dam Nesta with the pups when they were 1st born back on July 5th.

and the pup we've chosen in all her teeny tiny glory....

It was super hard to pick...but this sweet girlie was awake the whole time we were there.
She was quiet & gentle, wasn't licking or biting, and seemed so content to be held,
without any signs of shaking or fearfulness.

We think we've made the right choice!

...but her brother was a gentle guy too...(Louis shocked me when he said we could take both),
I'm just thinking 2 might have been a little much?

It was Tempting Though...Seriously!

Our Summer's Last Hurrah

A quick trip to Oakland's Jack London Square
& a stay in the Waterfront Hotel.

for Aunt Joyce & Uncle Tom's 60th Wedding Anniversary

Here's cousin Warren who was the Host for the party...

Aunt Joyce dressed her up in a RED 'dress' (wad of fabric, really)
& made to dance to Uncle Tom's favorite song
....such a good sport & laughs for everyone!

The Linney family band featuring the other cousins,
brothers, Kenneth & Douglas with their dueling banjos

The Happy Couple, all these years...

They are really something special!

 

Our family,
enjoying brunch together with a view of the Bay,
 before making the drive back home...

And next, it was time to get the school year started....

Audra on her 1st day as an 8th Grader

Moving Day

There were student helpers everywhere, offering to carry things, answer questions, or give directions...
CSUF has really stream lined the move in process & made it organized, easy & FRIENDLY! 

He's just SO Happy about starting this new life adventure...

Audra was an enthusiastic helper...interested in checking it out & being part of the scene...

Maybe a little too interested, since she got comfortable up there & didn't want to leave...

...and the paperwork begins...

Everyone wants to check out Jared's new place & come to the family BBQ....
(HEY, I don't remember getting this kind of a Send Off when I went away to college!)
Thanks PS's, for supporting my Boy!

Jared's new home.

My son has moved into the college dorms, and although I thought I'd be sad today, I feel excited for him instead...

He is READY & HAPPY...which seems to be helping me too.



CHEERS

...to my sweet girl...

8th Grade,

Here She Comes!



A Big Week of preparations for Audra's approaching school year.



Audra with her pals, Jigs & Claire



3 days of practice to learn their 1st routine...lots of Fun

The Team ~ 10 cheerleaders awaiting instructions from their coaches

 

Audra checking out her teacher & classmate list for her final year at St. Anthony's

 

She's been looking forward to this trip
with the Kasaian Family to Avila & Pismo Beach all summer

 I'm feeling sad that August brings an end to summer vacation...

but looking forward to Audra's

last year of Junior High.