The Best 4th of July Ever!

JOSEPHINE LOUISE SHIRRELL

BORN: JULY 4th, 2010

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY JOSIE!

LOVE, AUNT HEATHER & UNCLE JEFF

Puppy Kindergarten

Yep, you read it right. We enrolled Cooper in Puppy Kindergarten, a 6 week program designed to help your puppy learn "the basics." We attended class every Wednesday night from 8-9pm. It was us and usually 5 other dogs/puppies and their owners. Jeff and I switched off every other week to do the training in the class, while the other one watched. We really liked the trainer and the class. In 6 short weeks, Cooper mastered various basic commands, but most importantly, he learned how to stay (when sitting and while laying down) and how to walk on a leash without pulling like a wild animal. It was also good for him to socialize and be around a wide variety of dogs. We got a cute little diploma/certificate on the last night after his "big test." Up next, Canine Good Citizen Class and one step closer to getting Cooper certified to work with me in the hospital!

Cooper and I on his first day of "class."

**First day of class was May 19, needless to say, Cooper has changed quite a bit since then. Updated pictures coming soon....

DMB 2010

We take Dave Matthews concerts seriously. When I say seriously, I mean, we take off work on Friday, setup a huge campsite at Closeby Campground (has to be before the bridge, next to the pond, behind the old barn, and in close vicinity of the "clean" porta-potties), and then spend the next two nights singing and dancing to all our favorite DMB songs.

Friday during the day was filled with flippy cup, beer bongs, and catching up with old friends. Jeff and I had pit tickets for the show that night, so the start of the concert couldn't come fast enough. We left the campground early and ended up standing in the 5th ROW!!! Right before the start of the concert, a monster storm rolled in and delayed the start of the show by 2 hours. I can't complain too much since we were dry and safe in the pavilion. But, just so I can complain a little....after the rain, the humidity was ridiculous and it felt like we were cooking in the pit as we stood shoulder to shoulder with strangers....sweaty, drunk, strangers. But, it was totally worth it! I can't begin to describe how amazing it was to be that close to the Dave Matthews Band.

Jeff and I in the pit....I kept our tickets in the top of my dress. I'm so classy!

Unfortunately, once we made it back to the campground, the entire place was torn apart from the storm....including our tent which had broken and completely flooded. We went home, exhausted from the long day, and then returned as soon as possible on Saturday.

The second day was filled with the same kind of pre-show preparation as Friday. We were in the lawn for the concert and had a great time singing and dancing to all the old school DMB songs that were played. I would have to say, the show on Saturday was better then Friday.

Pictures from the campground

This year's concert was a little bitter sweet for all of us involved. Right before this year's tour, DMB announced they would not be touring next year. This is a pretty big deal to me. I have spent the past 6 summers at Dave concerts....what am I going to do next year? It is pretty sad for me to say, but this concert kind of defines my summer. Maybe as a big "Welcome Back" to the DMB concert tour of 2012, there could be some kind of westward road trip involved......Red Rocks or The Gorge maybe?!?!?! (I need someone to help me convince Jeff this really is a good idea!)

Hog Roast, Indy 500, and White Trash

My friends are a wonderful group of people. We are all ready to have a good time at a moments notice, but will also stick up for anyone in need at anytime, no questions asked. Each year, we all come together and celebrate the Indy 500 weekend with 3 days of non-stop activities.

Friday night is a pre-race party at our friend's Will and Kristen's house in Broad Ripple. Saturday night is the Annual Frey Hogroast. We all gather again in Broad Ripple in anticipation of the big Sunday ahead. What is so great about the Hogroast is that it has become one of the most anticipated parties of the summer. Many of our friends come in from out of town, so there is usually a lot of catching up and reminiscing of old times. However, the night typically winds down somewhat early because those of us with race day experience know, you have to be on your A-game to survive the next day.

The girls and I at the Hogroast

Sunday is the Indy 500 and basically just a mess from start to finish. Approximately 50 of us met at our friend's house in Broad Ripple, ate a quick, but nutritious breakfast that consisted of mimosas and bloody mary's, loaded up on a huge charter bus, and headed to the track. We always set up shop in Turn 3 of the infield and then don't look back until we are told we have to leave. To be quite honest, most of us would have no idea that there was a major sporting event going on right behind us, except for the constant loud buzz of the cars as they flew around turn 3. We are all pretty much focused on everything else going on around us...except for the race. As always, we had a blast! Just didn't take many pictures because I was afraid I would end of losing my camera, even though I did have that handy fanny pack.....

Jimmy Buffett!

Concerts are a way of life for Jeff and I over the summer. Let me rephrase that, Jimmy Buffett and Dave Matthews concerts are a way of life for Jeff and I over the summer. May 15 was the big day for our summer concert kick-off. Jeff and I, along with 4 of our friends, got all dressed up, grabbed the necessary amount of tequila, and began the typical pre-Buffett partying. This year, we first went to a friend of a friend's house for a little gathering. After a short time there, we headed to the big show in a pimped out old school bus complete with a functioning toilet! We spent a little time tailgating and then ended up with a prime spot in the lawn at Verizon Wireless Music Center. It was a great show! And as always, it was an amazing party!

And We're Back.....

Wow! It has been quite a long time since my last post! So much has happened since we went to San Fransisco, it is going to take a couple of entries to cover everything! The month of May seemed to simply "fly by" and got away from me. Then, in June, we went to the Dave Matthews concert and ever since then my camera battery decided to crap out and die. July started out with a bang and we had the best 4th of July ever! (More on that later.) Luckily, I was able to get a memory card adapter from my in-laws and now have all the pictures I need...so, let the posting resume!