DAYTONA 500! 30 weeks and 52 lbs.

  

7 1/2 months & 52 lbs

Lola is now 30 weeks old, and despite being much bigger, she still fits into the same baby clothes that Ashley and Patrick forced her to wear many many months ago. She has maintained her girlish figure, and is turning into a beautiful grown up dog. Lola has grown up SO much, that she is now the one in charge of using the computer to put up blog postings...

Lola is now the perfect height for her to rest her giant block head on just about any knee-high object in the house... her favorite spot... the windowsill overlooking the driveway

 

Or, when there is no solid object, then Patrick's hand will suit her just fine

 

Even though Lola is still small enough to fit in her bed, sometimes she doesn't quite make it in the center...

This weekend marked the 52nd running of the Daytona 500, and Lola insisted that her entire family gather in Florida to go see what it's all about...

The trip started out with everyone gathering the night before for a fancy Nascar dinner

The day started out bright and early with a tailgate catered for by Patrick and Ashley

 

 Mom asked dad to hold her champagne.... dad demonstrates the proper way to hold a champagne glass

 

Riding the tram on the way to our seats

Ashley and Patrick signing the wall along the superstretch to note their first married valentine's day together

 

  

 The women taking a ride on the FUN SLIDE

 

mom showing her blocking skills

Ashley and Patrick showing off their matching thumb injuries.... not on purpose

 

Caitlin and Chris sharing a romantic moment... at nascar...

 

Caitlin signing the wall, and Chris holding his man-drink at nascar...

 Caitlin enjoying boiled peanuts and boxed wine... a NASCAR staple

Patrick trying to take a break from the sun and even out his sunburn...

Group picture!

Mom and Dad posing for the fastest car UPS had at the race

The Northerners skipping out early to warm up in the van...

6.5 hours at the race too long??? WELL WORTH IT FOR A CHANCE TO SEE THE DAYTONA 500 UNDER THE LIGHTS!

Guard Dog returns!

Although we are not enjoying the great snow that everyone else up and down the east coast are getting, Lola insists that she is missing it, and will never forget her first snowy Christmas...

Lola is now over 7 months, and holding strong at 50 lbs. Her weight gain seems to be tapering off, and we are crossing our fingers that she stays at this size, because right now she is PERFECT!

So far this week has been especially grueling for Lola. The week started off rough when Ashley encountered some tire difficulties on the way to Naples... Although it was 5 a.m., Lola insisted that Patrick drive her there immediately so that she could help Ashley get on her way...

Lola even insisted that breakfast be served in the car so as not to be late for Ashley...

Once we finally got home, Lola declined the opportunity to take a nap, and insisted that she resume her duties as family watchdog...

 

Even taking some time to ward off another dog attempting to infiltrate her parking lot...

GASPARILLA and LOLA FINALLY FREE AT LAST! ARRRRRRG

The Holmes Pirate Crew made the journey to Tampa this weekend for the annual Gasparilla festival. Lola was all excited and couldn't wait to pirate some bones from any other dog pirates there.

Unfortunately as per the Vet's orders, Lola was forced to sit this invasion out, and was left to dream of future booty hunting and town pillaging to come...

The good news, is that Lola is officially now cleared for playing, and the cone has officially come off.... but till we have more interesting things to show you, here are some pictures from Ashley and Patrick's experiences at Gasparilla!