Mine!

We went camping with Chad and Lori and their two puppies at Beverly Beach State Park north of Newport tonight. Here Simone keeps watch over her dinner and the tent.

Green Bean Fanatic

Simone is so funny. She saw me picking green beans in my garden this afternoon and promptly ran over and sat next to me in hopes that I would give her one.

She's done this before with sugar snap peas (Simone LOVES sugar snap peas fresh off the vine), but I wasn't sure that she would like green beans. But they are crunchy, so I was willing to offer her one to try. Initially, it went something like this: five for the basket, one for Simone...

Then three for the basket, one for Simone...

And finally one for the basket, one for Simone until there were none left to pick. My girl is a green bean fanatic!

Happy Day

Simone and dad taking it easy at the park.

Sunday Morning Stretch

Stretching out on the grass at Sunset Park on a bright and sunny Sunday morning.

Rainy Day Walk

Simone on a walk with mom at Sunset park on a rainy July morning.

Drive Home

On the drive home, we stopped for a stretch break near the turn off for King's Valley.

Simone was tempted more than once to run down the long gravel road in search of sheep.

Fourth of July at the Beach

We went to Waldport today to go crabbing and hang out with the Moyle clan from Reno. Simone had to stay in the truck while we were out getting skunked on the docks, but we went to the beach south of Seal Rock afterwards where she got a chance to run and play in the waves.

Here Simone runs with Braedyn.

And checks out tide pools with Susanne.

Simone and Sally

Simone enjoys her new book "Sally Goes to the Beach", courtesy of our friend Matt from Wisconsin.

Happy

This is what happy looks like.

Please?

Simone wonders if she'll get a bite of the watermelon chicken salad during our picnic down on the Willamette River waterfront in Corvallis.

Summer Nap

Simone crashes in the tall grass on a hot summer day.

Bite o'Rice

Simone remains hopeful for another bite of rice from an impromptu lunch at Shanghai Wok in Corvallis.

Carrot, Please?

Simone comes running and sits patiently every time the vegetable peeler is being used. How many puppies do you know that will actually sit and beg for a carrot?

Simone Meets Ellie

Simone met Ellie at the Saturday farmer's market. After sitting with and petting Simone, Ellie firmly pronounced to her parents, "I need one of these".

Last Bite?

Simone waits patiently to see if Aunt Marney will share her last bite with her.

Morning Ritual

Gary does his morning stretches on a towel every day, and as soon as he finishes and stands up, Simone runs over to lie down in his place.

Look!

Gary tries to get Simone to look at the camera this morning after the farmer's market down on the Corvallis waterfront.

Making Peace with the Bunny Man

Gary sprayed Matilda with the first coat of epoxy today. When Simone saw him in his white bunny suit, she thought he was a stranger and went after him!

Camas Flowers

Simone poses by the camas flowers in Sunset Park. They are in full bloom right now and just beautiful. We learned the other day the camas plant was actually a major food source of the Kalapuya Indians, having onion-like roots that they harvested.

You might notice her red collar...we've had to put her signature purple harness on hiatus for a couple of weeks while Simone recovers from her surgery. She had a good-sized fatty tumor removed from underneath her left front armpit on Monday, May 11th, and has about 10 stitches. She has done really well with the whole thing and didn't require any pain meds. The hardest part has been keeping her out of the water, and not running or jumping for the last week. She gets her stitches out on the 27th and can then resume her regular activities with glee.

They're Back!

Simone was happy to finally get her stuffed puppy Colin back after his long stay in our "stuffed animal hospital" (the top of the dryer, where they go when they've been torn or shredded). Dad sewed four animals that day, also returning snail, beaver, and bear to the flock. It's like having all new toys again!