A new friend...

Tatum and I heard a strange noise coming from the pond below our house so we quickly threw on our sweatshirts and headed down to check it out. When we got there we were greeted by a large white goose with a very big voice. He came running at us and I was a bit nervous at first since Geese don't have the greatest reputation and with Tatum in her stroller at a good pecking level, I wasn't sure what we were in for. But the goose ran right up to us and almost smoothed against my leg, and gave a honk Hello. He walked with us around the pond and then when it was time for us to go, he decided he'd like to go home with us. A woman who lives near the pond said the goose is obviously domesticated and his owner must have dropped him off here, assuming that a goose would enjoy our pond and live happily ever after. Well, Gilligan, as Tatum and I named him, followed us up to the house and was very happy to come in and check out his new home. I tried to feed him some cat food, then some cut up carrots, and even some bird seed, but he wasn't interested. He did try to take a bath in Harley's water bowl which was a bit too small for him. I called Garrett and he said no way could we keep him so we got back into the stroller and took him back down to the pond. I hear him again this morning, honking away, so I think we'll call the animal shelter to see if he can be taken to a nice farm somewhere. We had a wonderful new friend for a moment and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Trip to the heat (Phoenix)

Tatum endured another long driving trip and did a wonderful job. She couldn't wait to get out to Phoenix and the 107 degree heat to see her Grandma and Grandpa from Illinois and the rest of the family. She loved visiting with her step cousins and enjoyed playing with them in the pool, but was always sure to take the proper precautions to protect from the sun. :) She spent the night with her Grandma, away from her Mommy for the first time, and did a wonderful job. I think she handled it better than Mommy did.
The vacation didn't keep Tatum from upholding her traditional holiday dress up picture, where she decided to don overalls, a hard hat and a construction ruler to commemorate Labor Day. What a funny girl. All in all, the trip was a wonderful way to celebrate the end of summer.