4th of July Weekend!

This 4th of July weekend was important for many reasons...

• Lucy's first 4th
• Lucy's first car trip
• Lucy's first meeting of the grandparents
• Lucy's first boat ride
• and Last but not least, the first time Lola has ever had to share the backseat of the car...

Patrick and Ashley made the car as comfortable as possible, and it wasn't long before the girls were comfortable and happy sharing their big bed...

beds and pillows are nice, but nothing beats the warmth of using Lola as a pillow

Lucy's butt is a little too bony, so Lola had to support her face with some of her own paws

Lola made it clear that only 1 dog is allowed up front with the grownups...

that is until Lucy figured out how to get up there!

Before we knew it we were in Fredericksburg!!! Unfortunately the photographer was still catching some zzzzzzz's as Lucy and Lola took their first group swim, but he woke up before too long and began catching the action!

Lola teaching Lucy the art of hole digging

Three generations of women all lined up!

Lola out for a paddle

Lucy swears that Ashley looked more comfortable when she was sitting on this step

Grandma teaching Lucy the finer details of using the stairs

first lead with one paw...

wait... which paw am I supposed to lead with???

Going down the steps is only important if you can go back up! Our 'up the stairs' technique is a bit different. We use the two paws up and hop technique... Time to practice!!!

after some time in the water, nothing beats being wrapped up tight for a nap...

No Secrets!

Before we knew it, we were back in the car and headed north... The girls didn't waste much time picking their spots for the long nap ahead...

And just like that, we were getting off the highway and were on the final stretch to Grandma and Papa's... The girls even asked to put on some pretty new bows for their introductions...

Papa was actually the one who surprised Lola and Lucy... As they were preparing for a surprise from down by the water, he snuck in from the top and fooled us!

Lucy wasted no time in introducing him to her tongue baths

Fortunately, Grandma was a bit easier to fool! I don't believe we have ever seen her so confused....

we finally got her out of the car for a proper greeting!

Again, Lucy wastes no time at all!

After introductions were over, everyone headed down to the water to have some fun!

Lucy explores the grass while Lola picks out a suitable rock

The rare New York Alligator kind of resembles a boxer!

every good swimmer is backed by a good cheering section

Sometimes cheering isn't enough... Lucy is giving Lola an earful and telling her to get back up and get back out in the water!

We aren't quite ready for full blown swimming, but this will do for now.

WAIT! I JUST WANT TO LICK YOU!

Even though Lucy didn't want to swim, she had a surprise lesson after tumbling off the dock while trying to get an itch.

Although she didn't want to look directly at the camera, kopek made it clear that she wanted to be a part of the action

The Holmes men and their Girls!

EXTREME CLOSE UP!

TIME FOR THE FIRST BOAT RIDE!

Best Seats In The House

Lucy gets some rest on Aunt Caitlin's lap

BUNK BEDS! I'M ON TOP!!!

SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK! You never know what's lurking just below the water...

Even the grownups get tired from time to time...

And what kind of activities do you think tire out a new puppy??? 

Chasing bacon flavored bubbles works pretty well!

OFF TO THE FIREWORKS!

Before they knew it, the weekend had come to an end and they were on their way back...

Lucy... aka "LUCIFER" exploring areas of the car that nobody wants her in...

just in time to catch one last 4th of July fireworks celebration...

boats in the harbor watching the fireworks off the deck of the USS Yorktown