Christmas Eve

We have started little Christmas Eve traditions.

First we feed the reindeer:

Then we take matching pajama photos....poor Ollie dog!

 

 

In case you wonder how we get photos like this, it involves alot of outtakes.....A LOT!

Then we read "Rudolph" and "The Night Before Christmas" from the books my mom bought me in 1978.

 

Then we put out cookies for Santa:

Then it is lights out!



Our first hike with Ollie

The weather is starting to feel more like normal hot temperatures instead of some sort of outer ring of hell, so we decided to take advantage and try a short hike with Ollie dog. We headed east to a place called Chewacla State Park: http://www.alapark.com/chewacla/#

There was a lake area that looked like something out of a 1960's move or a horror film, but all in all, it was pretty cool.  We hiked a flat trail where the boys pointed out all sorts of stuff and Ollie marked every tree in sight:

Then we hike downhill to the waterfalls.  I wore Ben in a carrier and held Liam's hand but he did great.  We saw a small frog hopping along which Dave and I were more excited over than the boys.  The waterfall was a bit decreased due to the heat of the summer and the current drought.  I'd love to see it in the spring.

All in all, a great hike.

The newest family member

Almost 4 weeks ago we added yet another boy to our family....making me more outnumbered than ever.

When I met Dave in January 2002, one of my questions for him was whether he liked cats as Murray came with me as a package deal. Dave said he was more a dog person but quickly fell in love with Murray.

I love all animals and we have wanted a dog for a while but have been waiting for the right time.  I wanted an adult dog who was good with kids. As luck would have it, in mid-August I heard about a beautiful dog that needed a home.  I was tempted....THEN I learned that he passed the screening to be a therapy dog.  We decided to apply to adopt him and met him.  Liam is often afraid of dogs but fell right in love with him.

So a dog found in April named Bumble:

Description: He was picked up by animal control in April in such severe neglect the vet said it looked like no one had ever cared for him his entire life. Heartworm positive, every intestinal worm, yeast infection, starved, flea allergies, bleeding feet, intact, bald patches. If someone did own him they should be punished!!! I would like to punish this so-called this "owner".

Gotcha Day on August 24th, adopted as Rossi and renamed Ollie from Oliver Twist:

Within 2 weeks, he gained another 6 pounds making him a nearly 90 pound dog and his fur has filled in beautifully:

He is wonderful with the boys and very patient.  Dave is in love which is so cute to see.


Welcome to the family Ollie!