Dock Jumping with Bailey

I entered Bailey into a dock jumping competition this weekend, in Asheville, NC.  The event was an Ultimate Airdogs Event.  There are two different dock jumping/diving groups.  Ultimate Airdogs is family friendly and open to anyone, as long as their dog can swim and jump.  The owner of Ultimate Airdogs is Milt Wilcox, the pitcher for the Detroit Tigers during Game 3 of the World Series, against the Padres in 1984.  He is super supportive of all breeds and has a soft heart for rescue dogs.

Step 1: Teach Bailey how to get in and out of the pool via a very steep ramp
Step 2: Teach Bailey to jump off the end of the dock
Step 3: Teach Bailey to run and jump off the dock.

Bailey's last official jump didn't go so well.

GO GO GO GO GET IT GET!!!

YES!!!!!!

Today's practice runs became a family affair. These 

were my favorite.  

We were able to get lots of practice runs in before the actual competition started.  Bailey competed in 3 official jumps.  Her first jump was her best, at 10 feet, 10 inches.  This put Bailey in the "Junior" category, since she jumped over 10 feet.  "Novice" includes jumps anything less than 10 feet.   Bailey stopped at the end of the dock, waited, and then jumped every single time.  I couldn't get her to run and jump without hesitating.  Some runs she hesitated more than others, requiring the crowd to cheer her on.  I'm proud to say she jumped every time and not once did I have to jump in to get her out of the pool!  I think Bailey's highlight was snatching and eating a part of someone's sandwich.  I have no idea whose sandwich she ate, but she really liked it.  The only other person around was my new dock jumping friend from Nashville, so we shoved the sandwich back in the person's bag and left the scene.  Bailey also got a few bites of someone else's Chex Mix down before I caught her.  If I could throw food in the pool Bailey would beat the current jump record.

The best email ever

Samantha received an email from a friend of mine, wishing her Happy Birthday.  The email contained this video.  It's 20 seconds and is one of the best things I've ever watched.

Friday the 13th! Happy birthday S & S

Sam and Seth's birthday celebration was lots of fun.  A few of Sam's and Seth's friends came over for lasagna and birthday cake.  We ate, opened presents, and played outside after the rain cleared.  Patti and one of her daughters, Jamie, drove north for the party and surprised Sam with lots of princess themed birthday gifts, including, a Princess Belle dress, which Patti bought and enhanced with gold trim & sequin. Not only did Patti bring gifts for Sam and Seth, Joseph was treated to a homemade carrot cake, which Patti baked for him as a belated birthday gift.  She forgot the 40 candles that should have accompanied Joseph's cake.....  Prior to the party Sam and Seth received a visit from my friend, Sara, who brought her son, Drew.  We had a great pre-party get-together with them and wished they had stayed for the party!!

Belle's high heels

Sam

Maggie, Sam, Molly

Patti  & Seth

Sam chasing a bubble

The loot minus a princess chair

He's one!!

Jess with baby Henry, almost 1.  He looks so much like his mommy, but I actually

see his daddy's smile in this photo.

Seth doing his favorite activity, eating!

Samantha & Henry

Anybody own stock in BOB Jogger?

Henry on the Left in his stroller, Seth on the Right, in mine.

Taylor, Jess, & Samantha

Matt, Ry-Guy, and Taylor

Seth turned 1-yr-old on the 12th and we had a birthday celebration for him (and Samantha) on Friday the 13th.  Samantha, Seth, and I then went to Winston-Salem to visit our friend, Jess, and watch my nephew Ryan play in the National Boys 12's Clay Court Championship.  Seth continues to hover at the bottom of the growth chart despite his rather large appetite and passion for food.  We have not had his one-yr-checkup yet, but i anticipate him barely making the actual growth chart for weight.  Seth's personality is quite different from Samantha's.  He is absolutely "wide-open" and climbs on anything and everything.  This fact makes simple activities, like grocery shopping, changing Seth's diaper, and going out to eat challenging.

Jess' son, Henry, also hovers at the bottom of the growth chart so she and I had a good time getting our "small fries" together.  Samantha thoroughly enjoyed playing with Henry and reading his books.  Jess and I tried to take a snapshot of Henry and Seth sitting together next to the word, ONE, as Henry will turn 1 on August 8th.

It was great to see my brother, Taylor and Ryan again.  I could get used to seeing them every few weeks.  Taylor was in "baby heaven" while playing with Seth, Henry, and her 3-yr-old cousin, Samantha!  Ryan won both matches I saw and made it into the round of 16 (singles).  He and his doubles partner also won their matches.  I sooooo wish I could have stayed a bit longer.