Welcome to the Family

 In a blink of an eye, and here we are in mid-July, and I haven't been so good about keeping you all informed of the happenings as well as Pops always was. 

Alot changes in 3 months, especially when you are learning the "new normal" without having the heart of your family. 
I would be lying if I didn't say it hasn't been tough, or a learning curve without Pops around. 

I would also be lying if I didn't say I think about and miss him daily. 

There will always be a piece missing without him here. 

But enough of that, Pops wouldn't want us crying over him, he would want us to continue on and to enjoy life to the fullest, and that's exactly what we are trying to do. 

Part of doing that, has brought a new member to the family. 

On April 29th, we welcomed our newest family member, a 10-week-old Rescue Black Labrador Retriever, who coincidently was born the week Pops passed away, a little divine intervention to bring him to us perhaps. Pops would have loved this little guy!
 Please let us introduce you to our little boy, we named Maverick. (Yes, because we are huge Top Gun Fans!) But it suits him very well!

He quickly stole our hearts and became an immediate part of the family. 

How could you not love that face!

As you can imagine, he has been keeping us pretty busy. But he has adjusted very quickly and has made himself right at home. 

He has been very therapeutic for all of us. Always knowing when one of us just needs that little bit of extra love and attention that day. But he chose his main person very quickly!

Nana & her puppy

With the new Pup, we have been trying to spend a lot of time outside and enjoying the fresh air. 

 A lot of our outings lately have taken us to People's State Forest in Barkhamsted. 

Peoples State Forest runs along the West Branch of the Farmington River.

It's a great place to have a picnic for the day, take a swim in the river & cast out a line.

It's very dog friendly, and Maverick seems to love it just as much as we do. 

Playing in the pine needles

Alan & Maverick after his first swim in the Farmington River

Nana & her Pup on a walk

Family photo in the woods

Krystina, Nana & Alan on a walk

My family, as well as my girlfriend, Krystina's family have spent a lot of time in People's Forest growing up, so it's really nice to be able to make new memories here now, and to reminisce about all the good memories that we have had here over the years.

It's really nice to be able to get away in the woods, not so far from our backyard, and relax for the day. 

If you ever get the chance to come out and enjoy this area, take the opportunity, it is worth it.