Ever get that clammy feeling??

The beginning of fall in the midwest means that it's time for a yearly tradition: clambakes!! Either you love clams or you hate them (some non-enthusiasts have likened them to gritty, fishy-smelling gum), but even if you aren't partial to the mollusks, there are plenty of other yummy things to fill up on - chicken, yams, veggies.  Assuming one doesn't drown their eats in butter, it's actually a pretty healthy meal, and if nothing else, the clambake always makes a good excuse for a get-together!

So as part of our Labour day weekend, we headed out to Paul's parents' place on Lake Erie for a big clambake.  All of Paul's family was there, including his brothers & sisters with their families, and lots of cousins, nieces & nephews. The three neighbors on the cul-de-sac also joined in, along with their own families.  Most brought their dogs, so there were no fewer than 11 dogs all told!  Our boys had plenty of playmates (although Mason hung out in Big Earl most of the time), and were beat by the end of the day.

We closed off the cul-de-sac (thanks in part to Big Earl), so there was plenty of room for the festivities.  The weather was perfect, and the yellow jackets (bees) didn't even turn carnivorous until late in the day (their last hoorah before a fall frost does them in).  Here's some snapshots of the gorgeous day, our family and (of course) Brutus!

Setting up for the big shindig.  Despite the beautiful lake view out back, for some reason we always seem to hang out in the garage....

Here's what we didn't spend much time looking at - Lake Erie!

Brutus and Mason checking out the dock; neither of them were interested in getting any closer to the water than this.

The Bichon sisters (Aunts Lilia, Lilly & Lucy) spent most of their time sleeping...

... or hiding from Brutus!

Here's Paul chilling with his Mason.

And very cute Cousin Delilah - she's a shitzu-maltese cross (hey Shasha - maybe you guys are long-lost sisters??).

Here's the newest addition, 2nd-cousin Molly. 

 She is a 10 month-old rescue dog, thought to be a Boxer-Aussie cross.  I think she looks more like a Brittney spaniel than anything else!

Molly & Brutus hit it off...

...and turned out to be well-matched in wrestling abilities.  Not sure who showed up whom, but they certainly deserved one another!!

Next, Brutus supervised the Cornhole tournament (another midwest tradition).

Let's see... that's one in, two on!  Five points for mom!!

And finally, the clams were done & ready to eat!  Mmmmmmm.....

Brutus had to check out what all the excitement was about, and, predictably...

...wanted to eat the clamshells!

It was a great day, a good time had by all.  And lots of tired puppies to boot!!

Hope everyone else had a great long weekend - I'll post some more tomorrow about our first official camping adventure with Big Earl!!  Oh, and in case you didn't hear, Ohio State had a very ho-hum performance against Navy, eeking out a 31-27 win.  Next week is a HUGE game, at home against USC, so that will certainly set the tone for the rest of the season.  Think Brutus might need to schedule another strategizing session with Coach Tressel before then, guess he didn't listen close enough last time....