It's a Beautiful Day in Illinois!

The sun was shining, the temperature was perfect, the flowers were blooming. So we celebrated! The kids and I went to a park in Rockford with both Saint Bernards (and yes, we all fit in my Pontiac Vibe thank you very much!) to play, walk and take some pictures.

I cannot emphasize to you enough how difficult it is to take a picture of two dogs both looking at the camera at the same time:

Me: "Hey guys! Cool ducks huh? Look over at me!"
Them: "Who is saying that? Did she say ducks?"



Me: "No, not THAT way! THIS way!"
Them: "Which way? THIS way? Or THAT way?"



Me: "Okay, let's try a new spot. We will FACE the ducks to make sure you can look at them."
Them: "I think she wants us to look over there at the ducks."



Me: "No, look at ME! Look in front!"
Them: "Butt? Did she say butt?"



Me: "No, not butt! Look at me you dumb male!"
Them: "Oh! She said tail!"



Me: "Okay, let's squish them together and maybe they won't move around so much."
Them: "Perhaps if we just stay still and let her use the flash thingie, she will stop giving us orders and let us chase the ducks."



Maxine in the flowers:



Maxine: "Oh Reggie, do I look bee-yoo-tee-ful under the flower tree?"



Reggie: "Oooo yah hot stuff. Don't you see my tongue wagging atcha?"



Them: "Well let's be pretty together then!"



Down by the river:



"Oh look, something shiny!"



Hanging out together:



Then we got ice cream for kids and dogs alike and EVERYONE was happy:









Maxine still has ice cream on her lips:



And because big dogs and flowers make a great combination: