Smores

Last night our family all enjoyed dessert on our patio....after many changed in pj's, we built a fire in the fire pit and toasted marshmallows for s'mores. It was a fun and relaxing time for all!

Days with Gabby & Evie - March 2012

Here are just a few pics of Gabby and Evie. Evie is 9 mos old and Gabby is 2 1/2 yrs. I love the little drummer baby shot. There's something so sweet in a from-behind picture. It's as though you've stolen a glimpse into their world, without them knowing. The girls love to go for neighborhood walks on nice mornings, and Evie is no longer confined to her saucer for toy time. Here, she's practicing her vocal skills while spending time with me in my habitat....the kitchen.

Easter 2012

Here are a few pics from Easter. The children enjoyed 2 egg hunts...one at our neighborhood shoals, where some ducks decided to join the party, and another at a local park. The first picture you see is of the 5 walking children heading to the shoals. It was fun to see them just naturally form a birth-order line! They do this without a word being said. See Connor's hand on Gabby's head in the group shot at the shoals? Gabby is a sweet and active little sprite, and I think he did that to help keep her in the photo! Thanks, Connor! You can see Evie's delight to hold her own plastic egg in the picture of her at the park in her stroller. What a delightful smile!

ruffled bottom

Okay, I couldn't resist....after a diaper change, Gabby's little bare bottom was just so cute framed in the ruffles of her top, I had to snap a picture. Sorry, Gabby! You can't be too mad when you're older....look how adorable you are! :)

Shopping Gabby style

Here is Gabby, shopping at TJ's. She felt like such a big girl pushing her own Gabby-size cart. It's so cool that they have those!

Van Gogh

Guess what Dan and I did on our date night this saturday? Okay, get your mind out of the gutter! :) We asked our trusted sitter to spend the evening with the children, and we channeled our inner Van Gogh! We attended a painting class and painted Van Gogh's Starry Night together. The teacher wondered how we were going to paint one work of art together, with a chuckle. We had a fun time, alternately ribbing each other and complimenting one another. Dan ended up painting the left side, and I painted the right. We affectionately told each other to "stay outta my side of the painting!", as we'd feel compelled to drift onto the other's half. It was a fun date night, and we plan to attend again. Can everyone say "Monet's Water Lilies"? :)

A Man's Dog

News of Paisley needing a home began with Dan. A co-worker sent out a mass email, which Dan forwarded to me saying, "I don't know why I'm sending this, but..." And the rest is history. As it turns out, Paisley's previous owner was a man who bought her from a breeder as a puppy to train for the sole purpose to duck hunt. He sent her to live with a trainer for many, many months. The trainer is also a man. After being well trained, Paisley was to return home to her owner, but she is too timid to duck hunt, so the owner asked the trainer to find her a good home. Paisley has known both men as authority figures. Surprise, surprise...she sticks to Dan like glue and obeys his commands. Paisley is a man's dog! Now, don't get me wrong...she obeys me too. But if there's a choice between us of who to follow around and who to obey, she chooses Dan every time. It's only been a couple days, and with today being monday and Dan at work, she's obeying me too. I'm not fooled, however. The minute he walks through the door from work, I'll be chopped liver :) And Dan is lapping it right up; loving every minute :)

Paisley's first day

Friday was Paisley's first day home. I brought her home shortly before 1pm. Gabby and Evie were napping and the bus doesn't arrive until 3pm, so Paisley was able to acquaint herself with our home in peace :) She walked about, sniffing here and there, very calmly. The children were very excited to see her. Gabby woke from nap before the bus and saw her first. She was hesitant, but wanted to talk to her, etc. Evie was delighted. Paisley sniffed her toes and Evie laughed! She isn't afraid at all. Everyone wanted to pet Paisley except Lily. Lily has always been afraid of dogs for no reason we know of. She was excited about Paisley coming home, but the reality of her being here will just be a time of adjustment.

We all went for a neighborhood walk friday afternoon. It was really nice, and I tried to get some good pictures of Paisley's first family walk. Lily did try to walk Paisley, but wasn't quite sure how, so I never got a good photo. Hers will have to come later :)

Before she passed away, Cameron use to lay on the floor and have conversations with our cat, LingLing. He said he is happy to be able to talk with Paisley. I imagine that once everyone gets use to Paisley, the children will really enjoy having her to play with, confide in, and cuddle.