The Tree

Saturday, 11-26

We look forward to this day every year.

Looking for the "perfect" Christmas tree and getting the whole house decorated for the season.

This year was really fun. We brought our puppy. The kids were really excited to look for a tree. And we missed this tradition last year (since we went to Hawaii), so we were doubly looking forward to it.

I had planned for us to dress more "christmasee", but Darin put on his U-Dub jersey since it was Apple Cup day and I decided that we would all dress in Husky apparel. And they WON!! :-)

Zach found his tree. :-)

Tree tops become weapons.

Our tree!

Then our train ride back to the barn.

Now to get to decorating!

Bring on Christmas!

Friday, 11-25

The Sumner Bridge Lighting has started, the last few years, to be our kick off to the Christmas season.

Seeing lights and fireworks makes any evening better.

Let there be light!

And now the FIREWORKS!

Let the Christmas season begin!!

Helllllllooooo Newman!

Saturday, 11-19

We got a puppy!

You all know that we tried a dog once before. Maybe I have forgotten how much work it was or the kids just wore me down, but I have been researching the best kind of dog for us for a couple of months. I decided I wanted a corgi mix due to low shedding, great size and good family dog. I think the corgi mix is cuter then a pure bred.

A couple of weeks ago I saw this little puppy named Newman for sale at Littleton Ranch. He is a corgi/mini Australian shepherd mix or Augie. He was super cute, so I showed him to Darin. We thought about it for a couple of weeks and when we decided to pull the trigger, he had just been adopted. Of course, I had already pictured him with our family and I was really sad that we hadn't acted sooner. The breeder said she had some puppies that would be available 12/1, so we put a deposit down on a little girl.

Then on Friday afternoon she sent me an email to call her when I had a few moments. I called her Saturday morning and she told me that Newman was back (not due to him) and wanted to know if I still wanted him. Okay....back track and figure out if we want an 8wk old puppy or an almost 4 month old. We decided a little older puppy would work better for us and we did love the pictures of Newman and the temperament they had described.

So we headed up to Bellingham and told the kids that we were going on an adventure. :-)

Elissa did guess that we were getting a pet, but we of course played it off that we wouldn't do that.

The breeder brought Newman out and we told the kids that if we liked him, then we could keep him for our own. It took a little bit for it to sink in that we were really telling them that we were going to get a dog.

I love these pictures of Elissa. The realization is sinking in.

We loved him! So we took him home.

Elissa kept on asking, "Do we get to keep him forever?" I think she was having flashbacks of Sandy. Poor girl.

We had a great time coming home. Newman walked around a bit and then he settled down in between the kids and slept the rest of the way home.

We're home!

WE LOVE NEWMAN!

He has fit right in with our family.

I could do without his accidents in the house, but I know that that will pass quickly.

He's a really sweet little guy that loves to snuggle and can't get enough of chasing after Zach.

Our first week has been fun (for the most part). :-)

Let's Dance!

Friday, October 28th

Elissa had her first dance recital!

She has been dancing on Friday afternoons since the beginning of school. She has loved it!

 So cute!

Enjoy the performance. :-)

It was so fun to watch!

She was really proud of herself. :-)

All of her proud audience!

Then the girls decided they needed to pose. LOL!

Oh my!