11 October 2011

Life with pup

11 October 2011
Turns out puppies are a lot of work. It's definitely been an adjustment, but we're finally getting into a routine, and it's...almost...fun. At the very least, entertaining.

Here's my Puppy diary:

  1. We're waking up at 7am now instead of 6! An advantage to those early morning walks: it's dark so makeup and bras are optional. 
  2. We go on 2-3 short walks a day. Now that fall has arrived, it's funny to watch Blue chase after the colorful swirling leaves. And he's so darling with his fur blowing in the wind. 
  3. When I took him to the vet for his first exam, they disappeared with him to the back for several minutes. When they finally reemerged, they apologized and said, "Sorry, we were all passing him around back there...he's just so cute we all had to take our turn with snuggles." 
  4. Luckily, he's too young to really understand the whole barking concept. When people approach him and when dogs and squirrels face off with him, he just sits and stares. I'm sure that will change.
  5. It's unseasonably warm this year so although he loves to be outside, he doesn't like the sun. He's learned to dig his way down to the cooler soil. I hate it when he does that, but you can't be mad when he looks at you with those big dark eyes and his cute little nose, paws and tongue covered in specks of black.
  6. The other night someone decided to throw an egg at our door while Blue was sleeping on the doorstep. He didn't even bark. After Eric heard the crack, he went outside and whoever it was had already taken off and Blue was still just laying there. Eric quickly cleaned off the door and brought Blue in for the night. The next morning I found poor Blue with dried egg on his furry little head.
  7. He gets the cutest little puppy hiccups.
  8. He can now sit and shake on command...and almost fetch.
  9. He likes to chomp at the flies who dare fly around his head.
  10. He's adjusting to his crate and sleeping through the night.
  11. He loves to sleep right on top of our floor vent to keep cool.
  12. When we lay down on the ground he loves to lick your face, nibble your ears, and put his paws around your neck in a sweet little "bear" hug.
  13. He's growing at a rapid pace which is sad but good because right now he can squeeze through our fence and already has a couple of times. It doesn't help that our neighbor likes to give him loves. 
  14. Blue prefers taking me for walks. I know I'm supposed to be the one in control, but it's just so cute when he carries the leash in his mouth and tugs me around.
  15. Sometimes I'll drop the leash and leave him by his favorite tree (in the common area) while I walk to the dumpster to throw away his doo doo bag, and he'll just sit there patiently waiting for me and watching me with the leash in his mouth.
  16. Eric loves to pick him up like a baby bundle and scratch his little freckled belly


28 September 2011

Meet "Blue", Our New Puppers

28 September 2011
Well, we finally have our new little bundle of fur. He's actually sleeping at my feet right now. Let's hope I don't roll over him with my swivel chair.

On Saturday we drove 5.5 hours north to pick him up from the breeder (in Orofino, ID). Luckily, he was a little trooper for the winding drive home. He didn't cry, didn't get sick, and didn't have any accidents.

My family completely spoiled me and the pup. My mom came over to take me out to lunch at Rembrandt's, allegedly for just the 2 of us, and my sister and sisters-in-law just "coincidentally" happened to be there. Those goof balls surprised me with a "Puppy Shower".

Beautiful view behind out hotel (a Best Western believe it or not)

Big Eddy's Marina


Dworshak Reservoir

Never too old for the swings.

Deer everywhere! These 3 were just hanging out in a parking lot in the middle of town...not the least bit bothered by us.

Dworshak


I can tell he misses his brothers and sisters.

Blue!

Already getting into mischief


Braden (my nephew, left) says he really likes him. "I felt a connection."
Cooper (nephew, right) didn't understand why we named him Blue rather than White.


Our little polar bear

Already planking at such a young age

He loves those belly rubs. (look at his paws...so cute)


Come over anytime to see him - especially if you need a good snuggle.

27 September 2011

Cool DIY

27 September 2011
I don't know what it is, but I have a fondness for glazed white porcelain. In fact, some may find this odd, but one of my favorite decorative pieces in our house is a porcelain pitcher like the one pictured below. (Ok, so it was a little spendy for a pitcher, but I paid for most of it with a gift card. AND, it's not just a pitcher to me)

From Pottery Barn
So it probably comes as no surprise that I was pretty stoked about this easy/affordable little DIY project I came across on Pinterest. This lady had the brilliant idea to re-create that elegant glazed white look with white high gloss spray paint. (Click here for her blog post)



Since it's fall, I decided to try an owl I found at Kohl's (with my $10 off coupon, it was next to nothing). I wasn't particularly fond of the bronze/brown speckled look so I thought he was a perfect candidate for my little experiment.



Pretty cool!

12 September 2011

Boy's Weekend +

12 September 2011
Eric had a couple of good friends visit from out of town this weekend. Hulse from Utah & Darby from San Fran. They went camping @ Redfish Lake, which is a really gorgeous spot about 3 hours away. Eric, of course, didn't take the camera, but this is Redfish below...


While Eric and the boys were out doing manly things, I spent the day with my friend Kristin. We went out to lunch downtown, hit the dog park with her German Shorthair Pointer, did a little shopping & then went to a movie at the cheap theater (only $4 for a movie, drink and popcorn!)

The boys did let me join them for some entertaining frisbee golf, however.

These boys, of course can't compete without a wager of some sort.  Unfortunately, Hulse was on the losing end of this bet so he had to swallow a live fish whole. Unfortunately, it wasn't your typical slides-right-down-your-throat goldfish variety. He was an aggressive, "spiney" little guy. See video below. 

11 September 2011

Lagoon!

11 September 2011
My brother Jason & his fam were kind enough to invite me to join them for a quick weekend trip to Utah. Friday, I got to hang out with my good friend, Heather & her fam, and Saturday we spent the entire day @ Lagoon. At first, I doubted whether I would be able to "hang" for that long...literally, from open to close, but it was actually a lot of fun. This also happened to be the day of Boise State's big season opener v. SEC power house, Georgia. Jason and I were both pretty excited about it so we took drastic measures to not allow anyone to leak the score to us (there were several BSU fans at the park sporting their gear). After a full day at the park, Jason, Braden & I all watched the game (thank goodness for DVR). We didn't get to bed until about 4am, but what a game! Totally worth it.

Check out Braden & Cooper's shirts :)



Sis-in-law Sheri & niece Tals

I think these were my favorite rides below:
Samurai

Colossus

Jet Star II

Rocket (Blast Off & Re-entry)

The white roller coaster

The Spider

Wicked

August

August was a fun, busy month. Nelson reunion, new baby niece is born (Ella May), new calling (YW Pres.), visitors, 8-yr anniversary, my 2nd oldest niece, Cami, goes to college, the Seattle Honns visit & football season begins!

I'm one of Braden's biggest fans! This was his first game in pads...and on the smurf turf!

My cute nephews are growing up. Alex, Michael & Ethan. We don't get to see the twins as much as we'd like b/c they're in Seattle, but I love these kids! So sweet, so talented & such gentlemen.

Michael is an awesome musician! Plays piano, guitar & drums (mostly by ear)

Family day @ Black Canyon Dam.

Look at that air. And, no, it wasn't a soft landing at all, but Cooper still loved it.


Sand V-ball

My nieces Faith & Talia

My oldest brother Scott with his son, Michael - Ice blocking

They're 15 y/o & 6'3"! (I have wedges on in the picture)

Photos (thanks Del)

Karen and Del Benson (friends from Saipan) stopped in to visit us in the middle of their travels. Del is a fantastic photographer, and he offered to take some pictures of us here in our home. He's a talented man...







The man himself, Mr. Del Benson - up close & personal.