I have been distracted and lost from my blog, but I’m back… We might as well jump right in.

1. After camp Max flew in and we spent a little time in Minnesota before beginning the drive. Leg 1: Minnesota to Colorado. Both Max’s parents live in Boulder so we stayed for about 5 or so days, saw the sights and enjoyed the summer sun. Here is Osa out on a hike with Max’s mom’s dog, Luna– not a fan of the puppy.

2.His Mom and step-Dad have a place in Vail so we went up for two nights and enjoyed the area. Here we are on a hike in which my heart almost exploded. THANK YOU, ELEVATION.

3. Leg 2: Boulder to the Grand Tetons. We camped for two nights and LOVED IT. It was definitely chilly at the end of August but the new tent did wonderfully!

4.Max and Osa going swimming in Lake Jackson inside Grand Teton Nat’l Park. I’ll watch from the warm shore, thank you.

5. Leg 3: GTNP to Missoula– home, but not for long. Here Osa is enjoying the porch of our apartment… fondly known as the upper chalet.

6. Why she has formally joined the rat family… because she is a scavenger.

7. A corn cob Osa stole from the garbage and then refused to give up. Again, a rat.

8. Erin competing in a horse show last weekend! 6th! I about froze to death, but it was well worth it to see her ride in her last show in Missoula. Her mighty steed? Proper Notice

And of course… a few videos for my die hard fans out there. Osa loving life in Missoula

In Max’s quick trip to Minnesota we still made time to take the dog swimming at Lake Minnetonka… She’s about 5 and a half months these days and getting very big!

On my last day off I hiked on home to see the little puppy… playing in the backyard:

And here is a tremendous squeaking hedgehog the McGrath family gave Osita:

1. Swimming in the sound before graduation… Water temperature? About 40, I’m guessing. But she loved it!

2. The Family at Graduation

3. Our quick trip out to Cape Disappointment, the mouth of the Columbia River

4. What a good sport! Osa was actually amazing on the ride home, a lot better than I might have expected. She snoozed in the back for the most part without a problem!

4. I got a chance to stop home on a day off and see my little babe. Already huge since I had last seen her, I could hardly pick her up!

Åsa is quickly learning new tricks… and causing more trouble. She loves putting anything possible in her mouth, including: milk jugs, carpet, a large plastic palm tree, etc. The weather is getting somewhat warmer and I am trying to take advantage of it by getting outside with the little bear.

1. Playing under the bed is also a new favorite. She’ll chase anything under there, dust bunnies included. Won’t be too long until she won’t fit!

2. Sleeping, face smashed up against the gate.

3. Max and Åsa

4. Here is a video of our little puppy at the park. Notice the sitting– we’ve been practicing!

We’ve been taking Åsa out to Point D to get some exercise besides just playing fetch at the local park. It is great to walk along the beach, let her play with the other dogs we come across and attempt to get her into the water. Her fur is starting to thicken up in patches and her soft puppy fur is quickly falling out, so she will soon be insulated and ready for the water.

1. Åsa is so small! Opposite of how I typically think of puppies, Åsa doesn’t think she’s small and therefore bumps into things, she thinks she’s huge and tries to jump over every log we see. It is very sweet when we’re down at the waterfront since there are so many obstacles to jump over.

2. Probably me trying to train Åsa but really just giving her treats.

See for yourself… (please mute your computer volume because my voice is amazingly annoying)

Åsa recently turned 8 weeks old and has been at the house for officially a week now and things are going well. She understands when to be quiet in my room, what “shh” means, and Max and i are working on come and sit with her.

Playing fetch at the park.

We are quickly getting into a nice rhythm around here and I am very thankful for my housemates and Max who let the puppy out when I am still at the library or in class. It is wonderful to open the door and see her in someone’s lap inside.

1. Her first bath… smelled good after, but I am afraid she did not know what to do in the water!

2. So tired after a hard day’s work…