Happy 5th birthday Copper!

For as gray as our big dog has become you would think he was a lot older.  I think Ethan and Charlie both have assisted in his grayness.  We got him a few months before Ethan was born and he was such a cute puppy, truly the best dog we have ever had, and happy to have him as part of our lives.     Happy Birthday Copper!   

 Shadow (the other best dog and who also grayed but not until he was older), Jeff and Copper

Ethan's first sleepover

We are very very thankful to Mr. & Mrs. Hall for their very generous willingness to take Ethan for his first sleepover so that we could celebrate our 15 year anniversary!

Here is Ethan's sleepover pillow that Aunt Lori made for him.  It has his name on it and a pocket perfect for Riley to tag along. 

Phineas and Ferb

Two excited boys (E & H) saw Phineas and Ferb...and don't forget our favorite..Perry the Platypus Live yesterday...they both had a great time, as well as us mommies too as we sang and danced along to our favorite songs, including summer vacation theme song, backyard beach and squirrels in my pants.  If you haven't seen it, it is a very funny cartoon on Disney that all ages seem to love.  I put picture on facebook yesterday and had several "jealous" comments from friends/family about all the items that they have, i.e., lunchboxes, pjs, t-shirts, etc. 

Food for thought...

Last week I read an article through a link on facebook and it resonated with me so I though I would share for anyone who is interested. Ethan is definitely my pride and joy...and my occasional wanna-pull-my-hair-out, but I wouldn't change him and hope that as he grows up he will continue to be his spunky, imaginative, talkative (well, maybe a little less talking) self!

Here is a link to the article:

Carpe Diem

Fifteen

 These pictures were taken as our wedding invitation pictures at Angels Landing in Zion National Park.  One of the most beautiful views! I was so glad to be able to hike it again 15 years later with my dad and brother a few weeks ago.

I married my love and best friend 15 years ago today.  Many things have changed over the last almost 17 years that we have been together, but I wouldn't change it as we wouldn't be who we are today without those experiences.  I love you Jeff! 

Finally...the snow arrives

At least for a couple of hours - it is raining outside now so it will be shortlived but it was really pretty coming down last night and lots of fun for Ethan this morning (he had to take advantage of playing in it now as it will most likely disappear in a few short hours).

 Charlie was eager to play in the snow with Ethan...Copper stayed on the sidelines...silly dog

It's decided...

As much as I have not wanted to do this, I have decided to go to the private side of blogging life.

For the record though, it has always irrigated me when someone made their blog private, as it is a hassle to have that extra step just to see it, however, on occasion I have had random people leave comments that are either inappropriate, spam or otherwise, and as my blog is meant as my journal of sorts to remember life with all its ups and downs, and also for Jeff and I, as well as our families who live away from us, to watch Ethan grow up, I have decided that private is now the way to go.  For anyone who enjoys keeping up with us here, a sincere Thank You, and I hope you will continue to follow us.  So if I don't already have your email address, please leave me a comment here or email me and I will add you to the list of viewers.  I will leave it open for a few more days and hopefully I will see your email in the comments.

**If you don't know how to leave a comment...click on the What do you think? line at the bottom of this post.  Type your email or comment under Leave your comment, choose an identity (either type in your email or mark anonymous, click the Publish Your Comment button and that should be it.  It will then post your comment for me to see.

Much love,

K of J, K & E

Well, the last couple of weeks have been pretty busy with vacation over, school in session for all three of us and many other things in the works... and thus haven't had much time to or anything to post.  However, I had to share the art that Ethan drew yesterday.

  (you can click on the picture for a larger view)

As usual, Ethan is always playing a character and yesterday he happened to be a dog.  I was at my desk working, him at the kitchen table drawing, when he says to me, "Mommy, look at the picture I drawed, it is of me going outside to poop"....that caught me off guard a little and I started to laugh...I then said, "what" (still laughing) and he then explains his picture as him going out the dog door to poop on the grass.  (Still trying to contain myself)  I take a better look at his picture, so I will interpret it for you.  In the middle of course is Ethan being a dog, and an anatomically correct dog with a belly button no less, I am the little person on the right side of the picture, the dog door is the large green box on the left that is kind of hard to see, and it was kind of a gray day yesterday so I assume that is why the sun is covered over with blue.  So there, you have a good laugh for the day!

Out with the old and in with the new...bring on 2012!!!

Looking back on 2011's goals I set for myself, I feel I did really good in completing all but one, which I did make good strides towards changing other things to continue that same goal in 2012.

My goals for 2012 are definitely going to keep me busy but in a good way.  I am looking forward to them and got a head start on a couple in 2011. 

1.  Adding to my education.  I signed up before we left for Christmas vacation to begin an online physician-based medical coding course.  Ethan will begin kindergarten full days later this fall and I want to branch my skills out.  Today is my first day of the course so my computer, my 5 books and I are going to become close friends over the next 4-5 months.  Jeff is also in the middle of his histology degree so life will be busy.

2.   Continue with a healthier lifestyle.  My goal for 2011 for losing weight fell short, however, I did start several steps in the right direction and this year will continue those and more.  Some of those have/will consist of:
decreasing my intake and give up Coca-cola
exercising every morning (with the help of Netflix and DVR while on the treadmill and bike trainer)
joined Weight Watchers
become much better at making meals at home
make it to the gym more for zumba and weightlifting
train/run a few races (Shamrock 5k will be my first this year)
ride the bridge pedal again, it has been a few years

3.  Jeff and I to take the concealed handgun permit class.

4.  Spend more time working in the yard and garden and by summer getting the bottom of the deck covered so Charlie will no longer have that as his sneaking hideout. 

5.  For Ethan...he loves being busy and loves school but with a whole summer to entertain him I want to get him in some fun activities, continue with his swimming lessons and have lots of fun spending time together as a family.