Happy Birthday Lola

 
 
 
I was looking at Three Pecks on the Nose and saw a birthday blog for Fergus the pug. Realizing that Lola's birthday is the same day as Fergus' made me feel lousy. I totally forgot that it was Lo's birthday.

Lola is a spectacular dog and she is truly loved. She loves tummy rubs like no other dog I've ever seen. She is a die hard tennis ball chaser, even demonstrating roll-overs when she reaches the ball as a way of slowing her pace. It's beautiful to see her enjoying life so fully.
If only she could eat human food around the clock, I think that she would be totally satisfied.

Lola Bean, we are all so happy that you are a part of our family. You are our baby girl and we simply wouldn't be complete without you. Happy belated birthday (Sept. 17th). You are now three years old and you are gorgeous. I love your pink nose, now come here and give me a kiss.

I will take you for a run in the park as soon as the rumored "dog flu" passes. 

Brrrrr

 
 
 
It was a cold day at the cabin. 

The Itsy Bitsy Spider

 
 
 
A sneak-preview of Munchkin's Halloween costume. 

UDHA

 
 
 
One ticket to the UDHA convention: $120.00

Lunch and a tasty beverage (or two...or three) from Squatters: $30.00

A chance to bond with the group which you will be spending the next two years of your life with: $Priceless! 

As a child growing up with a younger sister, I neglected the position I held as a big-sister/mentor/super-star idol. My younger sister looked up to me in every way. She wanted to have my friends, do whatever I did, look like me, act like me and go wherever I went. She had a heart of gold and she was more than willing to do anything to please me.

I took her amazing personality for granted and overlooked the love that she was offering to me. I have always loved her as a sister, but she was offering the award of "best friend" and I turned it down. I was simply too cool. I had other friends to keep up with, none of whom are around today. She sat on the side-lines and watched me rush by her, only from time to time stopping to say hello. I was ignorant and rude towards her and I encouraged my friends to act the same. All the while she continued offering love and friendship as I was her older sister and she looked up to me. I had no idea what I was missing out on.

As years have past I have matured and realized what a crumby sister I have been. I now see what an impact I had on her as a child. When all she wanted was a friend I acted as though she wasn't good enough. When all she wanted was a sister I acted as though I was too busy. I showed her that she wasn't worth my time or attention. In hind sight, she was the only person who was deserving of my time and attention. She was someone who would return the effort put towards a friendship instead of the shallow friendships I based the earths revolutions upon as a kid. Ah... hind sight.

Now, my younger sister and I are adults trying our best to raise children and stay afloat in the world. We each have husbands and full-time commitments. She is doing a wonderful job as a loving mother and a successful C.N.A. She still exudes the love that she always has and she still looks up to me as her "big-sis". A responsibility that I take more seriously now.

I can't help but wonder if my impact on her as a child has impaired her ability to stand up against negativity and abuse in the outside world. Does she know that she is worth all the love known to man? Would she put her foot down against harsh and unnecessary comments from a loved one? Does she even know how to stand up for herself?

The weight of these possibilities weighs heavy on me. I realize that one's childhood is when many personality defining characters manifest. I wonder if I had given her more love as a sister and a friend if she would be living the life she is today.

Winter Already?

 
 
 
The weather brought low temperatures and precipitation in the form of snow to our mountains today. The mountain pictures are views from my front and back yards this afternoon.

Although September always threatens winter, I know that next week will be hot and summer-like again. There are still many memories to be made at the cabin this year. I can't wait to see the beautiful, fall colors that exist in Lamb's canyons' aspen groves. 

Just Like Grandpa

 
 
 
"I love to wear Grandpa's work hat and play with my "John Deere Mini"
because I want to be just like Grandpa".
-Munchkin 

We've Moved

 
 
We finally moved into our Holladay home. I am excited to be living in Holladay again because it is so beautiful. We are close to the base of Mount Olympus and the colors on the mountain are beginning to change. We have a large yard for Munchkin and the dog's to play in. The luxury of being next door to our baby-sitter is priceless. Gone are the days of early morning wakings for Munchkin and endless amounts of driving to and from Grandma and Grandpa's house. Yipee! We are all so happy to be here.

Now we will spend a month or two working on the old home to prepare it for a top dollar sell. Wish us luck. 

The First Day of the Rest of My Life

When I was nineteen years old I made the decision to begin taking prerequisites to enter the Dental Hygiene program. Years of hard work and long hours studying and attending classes paid off. I began the Hygiene program today.

I have been so anxious and nervous about today, my big day. I have spent so much time wishing to be in this program and today my dream became a reality. I woke up this morning with a spring in my step as I was getting ready to begin this journey.

When I arrived at school all of the other Hygiene students were as confused as I. Nobody knew where to go or what to do. Eventually, we found the correct class room. Although we were in the correct class room, the lecture that I had prepared for was not being given. There was so much confusion and chaos to the first day of school.

The college hired a new program director for the Hygiene program and it seems to me that she let us down, as none of us knew where to go or what to do.

I was polite, despite the confusion. All of the students blindly lead themselves through their first day and will do the same tomorrow. I really am so excited to be doing this!

First Hair Cut

 
 
 
He surely didn't love having his hair cut, infact it really pissed him off. All of Grandma's hard work paid off. He looks so cute with his new do! 

Mr. Moose

 
 
 
This is one of the most beautiful creatures I have ever seen. He is huge and nearly black in color. These pictures are not zoomed in. I was actually standing this close to Mr. Moose. 

Cabin

 
 
 
 
What a wonderful afternoon at the cabin. Munchkin and Markie, you sure are loved! 

Double the Trouble, Double the Fun!

 
 
 
 
Having completed the summer semester, my parents decided to enjoy their hiatus from babysitting Munchkin and drive to Yellowstone. Babysitting Munchkin, however, is not their only responsibility. My nephew, Markie, also depends on their babysitting abilities. Being the best babysitters in town has earned them the official title of "Worlds Best and Most Loving Babysitter/Grandparents".

Emily and I know that our parents are instrumental in raising these boys. We also know that they are making a huge time consuming and life altering commitment. Without them everything we strive to accomplish wouldn't be possible.

Their leaving town earned me the official title of "Will Die Trying to Pull Off the Work of Grandma AND Grandpa". I had two boys, both about 15 months old. Munchkin won't eat and can't synchronize nap times with Markie. Markie is teething and running a fever which makes him super sad and uncomfortable.

Markie didn't feel ill until the second day into my babysitting duty. On Tuesday we were all still bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to face the world. My only problem was nap time. I couldn't leave Markie alone for 15-20 minutes while putting Munchkin down for a nap. I realized that the only chance Munchkin had for napping was in his car seat. I loaded two car-seats in my little, two-door Civic and strapped both boys down. I started driving and Munchkin's lights went out. He slept for 45 minutes. When he woke up we were at Brighton. I decided that since I had my baby back-pack with me we would take a leisurly stroll around the lake. We walked by carying one baby in the pack and the other in my arms.

The other two days of my babysitting experience were spent close to home to ensure a comfortable atmosphere for both boys. Both babies ate at the same time and had diaper changes at the same time. Munchkin even helped me give Markie a bath, which was cute beyond belief. Munchkin washed Markie's back while I scrubbed his knees and feet.

We had a lot of fun despite the difficult task at hand. Munchkin and Markie enjoyed their time together, they love each other very much. I was proud of myself having completed a job that initially frightened me. Yea Me! 

Gothic Mama

Every once in a while my camera will accentuate shadows with a solid black spot. Look on the faces in these photos. Infact, I am not wearing black lipstick and I have not put black dots in Munchkin's nose. The camera did this to my pictures. Have any of you seen this before? What can be done to prevent this from happening again?

Eyes Wide Shut

Munchkin is so generous. He offers everyone in the room a taste of what ever he is munching on. He doesn't, however, want to see you take the tasty treat. He bends his head back, closes his eyes and reaches toward you with a cracker or cheerio as if to say "Hurry, nobody is looking. Take the treat...quick!"

Photography

Monument, Colorado