Days with the Dorans

  Marty is my mama's boy! He always has to sit next to me on the couch and will whine and cry until Jeff moves over to make room. I love Marty with all my heart and the hardest thing about being a dog mom is them getting older. Marty is lumpy and bumpy and I always ask the vet about that and so far they have been nothing but THIS tumor was different. I got the call when we were in Kentucky that it WAS cancer (soft tissue sarcoma) and without asking cost or anything- I asked when we could schedule surgery to get it out of him! We scheduled surgery ASAP, but then had to reschedule because it was later in the day and as mentioned, Marty is a vocal boy. In addition to telling people that HE is the one who sits next to mom, he also regularly tells dad when it's time to eat and there was no way he was going to not eat when he got up. The second surgery date was first thing and so we were off. It was hard. I'm not going to lie. I cried and realized we were in the same room where w...

We haven't been out on the lake in forever- partly because the boat hasn't been working but probably more so because our schedules seem so busy. I was glad we were able to all get together at the lake for a boat ride!  With Marty's surgery around the corner, I knew it was unlikely that I'd be able to celebrate my little brother's birthday so I brought gifts to him early. I got him a Gordie Waffles bathing suit with a matching shirt and a cool bourbon glass that I found in Kentucky. I think he liked everything and said he was going to wear the shirt to school! It was nice all being together and I think the dogs may have loved it most of all. Again- I'm getting bad at the pictures but I do love the together time!  

I didn't take too many pictures of Jeff's 51st birthday. I've been bad lately but now that I'm blogging again so trying to be better! Joe was unable to make it home but the other three were here so it was fun celebrating together! Jeff went disc golfing early and then later we went to 4th Tavern with the kids and my parents. After, we came home where we sang and Ali made a super yummy cake!! Jeff loved his gifts and one was a fun music-related game called "Hitster" and let me tell you it was a HIT! I love family and I think that the best gift was being (mostly) together! 

After Away Camp, the band always puts on their preview show. It had to be at MY high school because Sean's is still under construction (even though my dad and I have been walking the parking lot there all summer). The parking at WLC is AWFUL but we got there early and managed to grab Sean's stuff quickly and get seats for his fan club! I was SO excited that Joe was able to make it home too! Sean went to all the Bigs things but with him the only one left at home, the sibs aren't able to get to his things. Ali and Z were home for the summer to work so I knew they were able to be there but when Joey came home it was the cherry on top! Sean was easy to spot because he has a unique Lions hat that he got in Myrtle Beach and we were so glad that he was wearing it! It is a bit easier to find him when he's not in FULL uniform but the hat definitely makes it easier! When I volunteered, I didn't ever see the band take the field or even play together so it was a total surprise,...

The day after Jeff and I got home from Kentucky, Sean was off to AWAY band camp. I hate that we had such little time together but we made the most of the Sunday night before and then next day, Jeff took Sean to the middle school (the HS is under construction AGAIN) and then he was off to camp with the band! The good news is that I was able to volunteer for band camp for at least one day. It was a long day though- because I went after tutoring (it was also the same day that Ali and I voted to I was pooped). But I was able to find Sean and take a few pictures myself. I swear my kids never get many pictures from the real photographers... Maybe it's because clarinets are usually near the back. I have been hearing from Sean regularly though! He is loving being an upperclassman and had fun in his cabin! I didn't get many pictures from him but I LOVED these fun selfies! I also loved his updates and in return I sent him pictures of his daughter (AKA Rizzo the guinea pig).

I love when Pam comes to town! Our time is always limited but being able to see her is the best. This year, Melanie was staying later than usual and heard that Pam was in town so they joined us later but first, Pam and I met for lunch. Luke (who I had never met in real life), his son, and Jeff joined us! Lunch was so great! The conversation flowed so easily and it was like we didn't skip a beat! Luke was everything I thought he would be and it felt great to see Pam with someone I always envisioned her with. After lunch, we went to a nearby park where Pam and I met during Covid. Melanie, Angie, and Carson joined and even Joe and Zach came up to see Pam! Pam was the maid of honor in my wedding and she is Joey's Godmother but I feel like it had been ages since they saw each other. I don't even remember the last time. And Zach was born just a month after Pam's son, Jack. Pam is probably my oldest friend. She would call me LeMonDrop because of my initials and I called her Pa...

I write about the big things, but sometimes the everyday things are cool too! All us eligible voters were proud to cast our votes! It was Zach's first time voting and he went with Jeff and Joey (Joe came home just to vote because he forgot to do absentee) and then Ali and I went later after she was done with work and after my long day volunteering at away band camp (that wrap up will be later). I have heard from Sean most days so far since he's been gone (since Sunday). I've had to take care of his daughter (Rizzo) and it's been fun. I think she likes me and that I am better at cleaning her cage. I sent him pictures and videos each day which he appreciated! And another great thing about the summer is that Chef Jeff is an amazing cook!!! He loves his blackstone and I feel like since he got it he uses it WAAAY more than his grill. And you've got to love his apron! HAHAHA!

While we were gone, Sean had his band camp. It was weird not volunteering (but the sign-ups were filled up literally immediately- I've never seen anything like it). It was also weird that I couldn't see him and like his sibs, he's not the best at taking pictures. Thankfully the camp people take lots of pictures and I was able to see him in some! They had a Pink Day, Super Hero Day, America Day, Beach Day and Section Day. They wore Togas and I was logging in like crazy when we were away but they never posted them! I hope to find some eventually. Here are some of the pictures I got! Clarinets Flexing! (Their section won!) Mary H sent me this! I was so happy since I hadn't see him! And because that crazy kid of mine, they won!! Sean won the individual award for being "El Nacho"~ I guess he was a huge hit! America Day! Beach Day Someone turned my kid into a mermaid!