Recent Pictures of Ella

Thanks to Tiffany for sending these pictures of Ella at the playground. What a cutie!

Big Fish

Quiet Waters

After three straight days of (much-needed) rain, Shawn and I had a stir-crazy dog on our hands. We took him to the dog beach at the Quiet Waters park this afternoon. The tide was really low, so Crockett didn't get to do much swimming, but he did play a rousing game of fetch and chase with some other dogs.

We think he'll sleep pretty good tonight!

Crockett on the Beach

This weekend, we had to take advantage of:

(1) warmer-than-normal October weather;

(2) a picture-perfect Saturday with no real plans (other than to clean up our long-neglected yard); and

(3) the Delaware Seashore State Park's rules that allow leashed dogs on state beaches after October 1.

As you can see from the pictures, Crockett didn't always stay on his leash (bad dog!). He did, however, have a great time on his first visit to the ocean!

For the record, Shawn and I also enjoyed our unexpected day on the beach.

How High?

The Love Boat at night

As seen coming up the channel from Baltimore, headed out to sea.

I know you're shocked....

... that I posted another picture of Shawn fishing! Even with Crockett's Reel in the shop for three weeks, he was able to get our every night, either in the little bass boat, or with some of the many friends he's made on the water (and on Tidal Fish discussion board) this summer.

Check out the lure in this fish's mouth -- the hook never set, but Shawn was able to reel it in because the lure lodged between its jaws! In his 40 years of fishing, he said he's never seen that happen before!!

If you want up-to-the minute fishing reports from the upper Chesapeake Bay region, Shawn has a new website:

http://www.chesapeakelighttackle.com

The Return of the Sea Ray

My very happy husband is back on the water again in his own boat. The rockfish (or bluefish, like in this picture) had better beware!

Fall comes to the neighborhood grocery store

Too bad the bar was closed....

Shawn makes way for ducklings!

Buskers on the Bridge

Boston Commons

With some time to kill between the post-wedding brunch and our flight, we took advantage of a beautiful day and wandered around Boston Common and Beacon Hill.

At the after party

With this crowd, you KNEW there had to be an afterparty. Late night at Llew & Penny Bley's house was almost as much fun as the wedding itself.

Red Sox fans were disappointed by the Indians' 14th inning rout, much to the delight of native Ohioan (and Indians' fan) Harold Metler; Llew Bley passed out his wedding vintage (Shawn drank his through a straw); Shawn, Dann, Kris (so much for that wedding night!), Earl & Sally traded songs; and guests debated whether they'd have to call the fire department when the Bley cousins built an inferno in the back yard!

Fathers Day

Rachael & her cousins welcome Kris to the Bley family

Rachael and Shawn Hit the Dance Floor!

Still crazy (about each other) after all these years

Lisa shows off her wedding bling

Being the mother of the groom (on the heels of a silver anniversary celebration this summer) has its privileges!

With the Parents of the Groom

Little sister

Though she's the best of friends with Rachael, Kellie stood up with her brother at his wedding.

The extended Metler family.

I've been an honorary member of the Wollet clan since high school. I've known Kris almost since the day he was born (and have the pictures to prove it!) and couldn't be happier for him and Rachael.

Congratulations!

To Kris & Rachael Wollet. Just married, October 13, 2007 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

My Pilgrim!

Shawn at Plymouth Rock

I think our biggest disappointment of the day was that you can't actually touch Plymouth Rock (or more importantly, climb on it and get your picture taken!)

It's housed in a temple, and sits 4 feet below street level, behind a fence, in a sand pit that's been raked like a zen garden.

At the Mayflower II

We didn't have time to take the tour, but I had to pose for a picture.

If I were a pilgirm...

... I think I would have liked Plymouth enough to stay. Granted, it has a few more amenities now than it did in 1620. This house, built, according to the plaque, on the site of the first pilgrim dwelling, is for sale!

As quaint New England villages go, they don't come much prettier than Plymouth. We're in Massachusetts this weekend for Kris Wollet & Rachael Bley's wedding, and managed to see a little American history along the way.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

I haven't posted much lately - busy at work, busy at home, nothing too exciting.

Except.... remember the day the boat motor overheated and Shawn called the tow boat? It wasn't something quite as easy a water pump -- it was a blown piston. Which means the Sea Ray is in the shop getting a brand new engine installed... Yeah, it would be much better if it were just a bad water pump...

In the meantime, Shawn is using the Eldo Craft to take up the slack. It looks sort of lost out there on the boat lift, doesn't it?

Prodigal Daughter Returns to Knoxville...

.... and doesn't take any pictures, imagine that!

We had a nice weekend, celebrating Shawn's birthday: catching up with the boys, Michael & Leah, and assorted East Tennessee friends; babysitting Ella; watching Daniel play with the UT Symphony; satisfying our cravings for Mellow Mushroom pizza....

Shawn snapped this picture of Ella in her room. She's growing!