Fall.

Falla falla in Walla Walla...my favorite time of year.

As we rounded out summer, Ange, Nick & Deven came for their annual fair trip. We saw the Band Perry in concert (pretty darn good), ate a load of corndogs & elephant ears, whooped it up and had a great time as always. I love love love that my kids are going to grow up with Deven as an honorary cousin.

We squeezed out every last bit of summer that we could with BBQ's with friends and plenty of pool time. Though I have to admit, summer ended a lot sooner than I'd expected. Despite the abrupt end, it is so good to enjoy the cool fall air.

On September 30th, Andy's Grandpa Boldman passed away after a six month battle with cancer. He was a sweet man, married to the love of his life for 62 years (Hadley was born on Grandma & Grandpa B's 60th wedding anniversary) and a Great Grandpa to eleven great-grandchildren. Vicki and Bruce hosted a celebration of his long and happy life at their home and despite it being a sad occassion, we had a really nice time catching up with so many members of their extended family. Ryan & Michelle moved the 'party' to their house after hours and it was a touching tribute to Grandpa B's life that so many of his children, grand children and great grand children could be found talking, crying, toasting and laughing well into the night about what an awesome man he was. He will be very very missed in this family and beyond.  See his obituary here.

Yesterday I did my second Walla Walla Crush Run (Crush = grape crush season, as in wine for all you non-winos. Wait, do I have any friends that aren't winos? Hmm.) The 10k race zig zagged up and down rolling vineyards and it was such a beautiful, full blue sky, crispy air day I almost forgot that I'd been out with the girls til 3am the night before and was operating on a massive hangover. Though I've been having a hard time getting back in the training groove since my injury, my stubborn self managed to whip out a 54:56 and came in 10th in my age group. Very happy with those results! I think there is some promise here for next year.

The gals at the start of the Crush run.

Today our family of four went to Klickers to pick out our pumpkins, made chili and cornbread and carved pumpkins to get us into the swing of fall. Such a wonderfully relaxing weekend full of great visits with family, beautiful weather and quality time together.

And last but not least, the Dublin update.  He is wonderful.  He is so mellow and good with the kids, and he runs with me which is an added bonus.  His only little teensy problem...is that he can't stand being left alone.  He actually ate part of our door trying to get out.  We had a little visit to the vet today for some advice, and after a home visit from the vet (she's wonderful) she brought me an extra large crate for free, and helped me for an hour getting him acclimated to it, with the help of a tranquilizer :)  With any luck this will be the solution we need to get him used to being alone occassionally.  Because other than this, he is the best dog in the world and we love him dearly!! 

 His favorite spot to ride in the car.

Taking a break during our run this morning to fetch the tennis ball.