Last summer post :(

Tomorrow is my first day back to work to start another new school year. I always have mixed feelings about that. I really love the summer- I love the freedom of really having nothing to do and being able to be completely flexible with my plans. But, in another way, it is really nice to have a routine and it's even nicer to have a steady paycheck.
I will also be posting a lot more when school starts back up- I haven't spent much time behind a computer over the summer. That will be changing really soon!

It's been such a wonderful summer with the pups- I can't imagine life without them now! I started pretty much every day this summer with an hour-plus long walk around the neighborhood with the boys. We generally had to get out of the house pretty early (before 7 am) because the heat this summer was just brutal. Even at 8 am, I would often come back covered in sweat. I also have loved the luxury to take them for a hike in the middle of the day and to meet my friend John up at Sugarloaf to hike on Friday mornings after I taught spin class.

Luckily fall is around the corner. I love the fall- I love everything about it- and the weather is perfect for all of those outdoor activities that Greg and I love so much.
I never posted photos from one of my favorite "doggie events" this summer that happened the first weekend in August. The monthly "first Saturday" event in August is always "Dog Days of Summer." Greg and I have been envious of all of the people walking around with dogs each summer and swore that we would have one of our own to participate the next year. So, this year we finally did! People go all out for this event; dressing their dogs up in all kinds of costumes or just simply taking them out for a night on the town. We headed out right at the beginning of the evening with the boys and started walking around Market Street. We didn't really "dress the boys up," just put their cute little Red Sox scarves around their necks. Of course, they got a lot of attention. They pretty much draw a crowd wherever we go because they are just so darn cute and friendly, but also because there are two of them. Flying Dog brewery had a little beer garden on Carroll Creek that was dog-friendly and an 80s cover band played. We had a great time there talking with other dog people. It's great talking to other dog people- it's just this interesting sub-culture of people that have this love for dogs that non-dog-people probably think is nuts. But, I get it. :)
We left the beer garden to go get dinner at Brewer's Alley- they had a big area roped off outside for regular table service where people could sit with their dogs. There was a pretty long wait, but we hung out with my mom, Joe and Brady, so it was just fine. When we eventually got our table, the boys laid right down and relaxed while we ate.
We headed back over to the Creek to grab one more beer from Flying Dog (although they had run out) and listen to the band some more. It was SUCH a great night. I wish they did this event more than once a year!
Greg had a big mountain bike race the next day at Schaffer Farm in Germantown. I went along to support him and brought the boys to keep me company. They were pretty good, but got a little bored being attached to a leash and not having a lot of room to play around. Our friend Brie tried to snap a family portrait, but as always, it's hard to get both of the boys to cooperate. We had a good time- and Greg was awesome, placing in the top 10 finishers in his class.

So it's back to reality tomorrow. I'm trying to have a positive attitude about it. I will definitely be missing my boys while I'm at work all day.

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