The World's Gonna Wake Up and See Baltimore and Me

This past weekend I traveled to Baltimore for a conference. Iris and I took to calling it "our romantic fall getaway" as we were sharing a room and LOTS of together time. There were loads of giggles, a few tears, a seamonster, and way too many snarky comments (as usual). We were even lucky enough to have a visit from Erin who drove up from DC for a surreal evening of food, friendship, and police manhunts gone horribly awry....no, really, more on that another time.

I learned so much at the conference and had a wonderful time connecting with my colleagues both from Rutgers and afar. But like most growth spurts, sharing ideas with interesting people from around the country makes a girl VERY tired! I really missed my hubby and pups, so it was wonderful to come home.
I also wasn't thrilled to miss the football game (Dom and our friend Tom were able to be there in person), but watching it at ESPN Zone in the Inner Harbor and was a unique experience.

Baltimore is an incredible city and after a bit of rain at the beginning of our stay, we enjoyed some gorgeous weather. I had fun playing with a new lens I bought...one might argue a bit too much fun...but we didn't have much time for sightseeing since our sessions ran literally all day long.


Tugger spent all night laying in my suitcase, very nervous about the whole "packing" scene.

On our way down, we enjoyed some school pride in anticipation of our big football win!


Approaching the Delaware Memorial Bridge

Arriving at the hotel

I began a love affair with taking photos of the USS Constellation

Ta-Da! It's Iris in Baltimore

More boat shots....It was such a magnificent day!


No Iris! Don't do it! Nessy will get you!

We traveled to the top of the tallest pentagonal building in the world....pretty much because it was free...but discovered amazing views along the way.

Then it was time for lunch and meeting up with some of the other Rutgers-Oregon crew.

From left to right: Louie, Iris, Kate and Julie (best boss EVER)

This is Iris' favorite waterfountain in the city (there are many). By the end of the trip we had all fallen in love with it, too. You literally walk through this fountain to get to the conference center.

I snuck behind the falls and took some shots of Iris, Muffin and Georgia.

But, alas, our time grew short and after some Sunday afternoon Tapas it was time to hit the road.

Great memories, great friends, great knowledge - a refreshing trip altogether!

I'm Just a Love Machine; A Hugging Kissing Fiend

The Hydrangeas are in bloom - and so too is Tugger's mojo!

Tugger "Scamp" Stanzione has a girlfriend! As with most moms, I think she's a bit of a hussy and gives it up too easily...but she's just the sweetest little Pitty you've ever met.

Layla came over for another playdate last weekend and I've never seen Tug as happy. He absolutely adores her in a much different way than the maternal relationship he has with Ginger. It was fun to watch them react to one another and I wanted to share the highlights:

Can you get him off of me?....No, seriously, any help here, lady? Can you put the camera down?

You're really ok with this?



Ooooh! That looks like fun!



Yummy puppy kisses

Hey - what's in here?

Pleeeeeease play with me?

No means no!

It's ok Tugger - Dad will teach you all about girls who play hard to get and how you get them to love you more and more. He's kind of an expert.

Because the chase and passion are really fun and exciting - but love lives in the quiet and tender windows of complete honesty, it is caught in the frame when you are completely unaware of yourself. It is in those moments that you realize how utterly and completely in love you are....

It Makes You Calm - She Holds You Capitvated In Her Palm

Our dear friend Lisa had a big birthday this past week and all of her friends (and her big sister from Florida!) gathered together to celebrate her life, and all of the joy that she brings to ours.

We've written about our friend Lisa before. She is the BEST adventure mate, copilot, and roadtrippin' partner a girl (or boy) could ask for. There isn't much I can say about Lisa that hasn't been said before - but it is all worth saying again. Lisa is all warmth and light: you feel her spirit immediately when you meet her and she becomes part of you, your family, your circle of friends, and your support system. Lisa breathes life and comfort to everyone around her, something we try in vain to reciprocate. She lives her life with truth and trust, and is inspiring to watch as she sets and achieves goals with an olympic determination.

Lisa (because I know you are reading this!) - I can't capture your spirit or how important you are to us in words. I hope these photos better illustrate the magic and beauty that you bring to our lives.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LISA! WE LOVE YOU!