more doggy days

Dad decided it was time for Gabe's first bath!

wet dog!

He did great, smelled and looked lovely, and promptly ran outside to find a big stick!

The best part though is that the next morning he took a quick dip in the park ditch... 
and then our friends brought him a very special treat: a deer leg!
Ooooooh, Gabe thought he was in heaven. However, the rest of us have been put off by his raw-meat stink!
Looks like another bath is in his near future...

please pardon the "raw" content of the photos... 

jack o' lanterns

So we are getting geared up for the holiday season - starting of course with Halloween! I do have a few little trinkets to make the house festive... but we're never fully in the spirit until the pumpkins are carved!

Punt, Pass & Kick

We spent Sunday in Grand Junction for a family fun day - prompted by Hamp's participation in the Punt, Pass & Kick event! Honestly, he was not looking forward to going... he was nervous about what it would entail and about not being there with all his friends. So after a week of cajoling and encouraging of all sorts we loaded up a pouty and anxious 7-year old who, once he saw the football field full of kids and parents all tossing a football around was totally at ease!!! So much so, he was able to get a lot of good practice in before things got started...

PUNT:

PASS:

KICK:

Even Sam got a little practice in...

There were lots of people there cheering and watching... and Hamp did really well being in the middle of it all! He even made friends with the other kids his age, and stayed to watch the older kids participate - which was really great! (1st place went to one of our own Meeker guys in the 14-15 age group!!!)

right after his pass - watching to see how far it went!

The event was well-managed and the morning was beautiful so we stayed long enough to hear the results... and thank goodness we did. Hamp won a 3rd place medal! Even though he was a little aloof about the whole award, we were so proud that took a chance to participate and did his best!

Jay Cutler moves

October is flag football month for 1st - 3rd graders... and it is so fun to watch! 

Hamp has been on high alert all month for practice opportunities and strategy sessions (usually at school recess...!) and has a major case of football on the brain. His first "game" was last week and Dad and I were the virtual equivalent of a major network camera crew! Every now and then I did try to put the camera down and just watch, but he's so darn cute out there I don't ever want to forget how big/small he is! 

Below is a picture of Hamp on the field with one of his best buddies and teammates... and I include it because it is relevant to the title of this post and one of the funniest stories I have heard in a while! In an email from his mother, she relayed his concerns for the upcoming season:


"... he reported he needed to talk with me about something... I said ok, he said, "I am not liking flag football." Now keep in mind, he has had one practice and it has been all he has talked about for a month... I said "why", he said well to start with "there are no lockers for the quarterback or the receivers", I held back my laughter as he was so serious... I said really? Anything else? "Second, they don't let you tackle!" Third, with great passion at this point, "it's like a couch potato game! I mean I am the receiver and I don't know if they are going to take this serious enough." I said "wow"... he continues, "and I mean the good thing is John Hampton is the quarterback and he has Jay Cutler moves and Dad and I like that... but Mom, no lockers, no tackling and it's like a bunch of couch potatoes out there!"


I swear I laughed so hard at the image of this thoughtful, serious conversation... and the major considerations these boys were making about their flag football careers...

... and so I ask, do you think these shots adequately show off "his moves"?!

Anyway, I have to admit, I was pretty proud at his two complete passes in the game:

And I think perhaps he saved his best moves (aka backwards somersault!) for when he was playing defense:

The only touchdown for his team was scored off an interception...

and I think Hamp was pretty excited about it!

Though his team took a loss, they were good sports about it. They had so much fun just playing the game and being with friends. I'm looking forward to a few more games over the next couple of weeks... and probably many more games over the next several years!

the Dream Team!

landmines

there's only one problem with getting a dog...

we're too used to walking barefoot in the backyard!

Oh well, we learn...!

doggy days

So just thought an update was due on how the past 10 days with a new puppy have been going!

First of all, he is fantastic! He is pretty much fully housetrained and uses the doggy door to go outside... which is great! He sleeps in his kennel through the night, and is really sweet natured! (Although he does have a bit of a nipping problem, but we try to throw a chew toy at him to prevent bitten ankles and ripped clothing!)

Overall, we have had nothing but fun having him as a part of our family!

Gabe is certainly good with kids - he has been taken to Show n' Tell for the preschool...

... and the second grade!

He has adapted nicely to having his own basket of (chew!) toys...

Besides trips to the park, walks downtown, playing chase in the backyard and watching him play around the house... our favorite time is bedtime when we get to "snuggle" with our puppy!

No doubt, this adventure for Hamp and Sam is one of the best (and sweetest!) ever!