Vacation Time

Michael and I need a vacation BAaaaDDD!! We normally take three vacations a year, two big ones and one that normally falls over a long weekend. We haven't taken a vacation since our honeymoon. Okay, I take that back he hasn't taken a vacation since our honeymoon. He let me go to Hawaii for two weeks in September.

The main reason we haven't gone on a vacation is because Michael started a new job right before our wedding and used almost all his vacation time for the wedding and honeymoon. So, on Tuesday of this week, we decided we wanted to go somewhere warm. I am one sick of the snow and two I am ready for some sunshine beach time. It was hard since it was sooooooo last minute, we are leaving Saturday. We didn't know what to do. We had a few don't wants, but other than that we were open. The big thing we didn't want to do is go to Mexico. Mexico with the problems they are having, made Michael not want to go, even if the problems are not in Cancun or Playa, he didn't want to send our money to them. So lots of discussion, go to Hawaii (which we are doing in August, again), go to Punta Cana, go on a Cruise...Knowing what the typical pricing for the Caribbean can be I was a little disappointed in my choices. So after lots and lots of conversations with the travel agent and Michael, we decided to stay stateside and go to West Palm Beach, FL. The temps are supposed to be 80s!!! Perrrrrrfect!!!

I am soooooooo excited. This trip will allow us to spend more time away then if we had gone to Punta Cana. I am a white ghost right now and can't wait to lay out in the sun and get tan!!! Michael is looking forward to relaxing and hanging out. I will miss my puppy but she will get to spend time with her Grandma and Grandpa and her best friend Callie.

February is Birthday Month!!!

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY (a day late) to my oldest and best friend Veronica. I love you and our friendship more and more over the years. We have been friends since 8th grade and more than 10 years later and most of that time (11 years) have been spent miles and miles apart, but that hasn't stopped us. We could be stuck on an island together and never want to kill each other...oh wait we have been stuck on an island together for 2 weeks before. A Hawaiian island and with a baby. HEHE! Love you!

More snow!

Starting Tuesday late night, Wednesday morning it snowed 20" here at our house. Arkansas is not famous for lots of snow, but apparently it is right now. I really thought when I moved back to Arkansas from Chicago I would never have to shovel my driveway. Most of the time it snows and within a day or so it melts or at least halfway melts. Not this time or last week when it snowed. Michael and I spent late yesterday trying to shovel the driveway so that Michael could go to work. My crossover could get out of the driveway, but Michael's car was not going to make it.

I think my dog loves the snow more than anyone. She would stay outside all day if I would let her. She jumps and runs and acts like the snow is the most fun she has ever had. We took her out in the front yard while shoveling the driveway and she normally listens. Well, let me rephrase that, she listens to Michael. I swear she ignores me, but yesterday we learn there is one thing that can happen and she won't even listen to her daddy. Birds. Yes, birds. Our dog loves to chase them and apparently if she sees a bird her instinct kicks in and nothing else matters. She was chasing several birds around our house...don't worry no birds were harmed, they are MUCH faster than Gabby. I will add I do not like taking Gabby out in the front yard without a leash, I am so afraid she will run off. Honestly she is a chicken and doesn't really go far, but I am still worried that a bird or another dog, or even another person will distract her and she will run into the street and get hit by a car. Better safe than sorry. Michael loves to take her out without the leash. I am a big baby.

Michael and I have spent lots of time hanging out with out neighbor friends and their daughter, since we can't really drive anywhere. I just have to say how absolutely proud of Gabby I am whenever she is around their daughter. Gabby will lay there and let their daughter pull her tail and grab her feet. Gabby just gets a look of oh no not again. Stella, loves eyes right now. She likes to try and touch her mom's eyes and she really likes to touch Gabby's eyes, and the best part is Gabby holds still and lets her. Stella actually sometimes does the pinch motion towards Gabby's eyes and Gabby just lets her. Gabby thinks Stella is her best friend. Gabby gives Stella kisses and Stella loves to give Gabby kisses, and Stella's kisses are still open mouth, but it is SOOOOOO cute.

Happy 1st Birthday Schuylia!!

Happy 1st Birthday to this precious little girl!! Wishing more than anything I could be in Hawaii spending the day with you and your mommy, instead of in this cold cold snow! Can't wait to come visit in April!!

Love, Auntie Jen and Uncle Michael

Gabby 1st Birthday!

Gabby puppy the day we brought her home...or pretty close!!

January Snow

So I complained about not really getting any snow, and then a week later we got snow. J I love the snow, one reason Chicago wasn’t the worst place to live. I like Arkansas snow much better, well maybe. My puppy, Gabby, really REALLY loves the snow. Michael now thinks we should move to Colorado (I am game) so that our dog can play in snow all the time. Last year when we got Gabby in March, we got 12” of snow, but she was so little it wasn’t as much fun for her. So, I grabbed my camera and played photo mom and got lots of fun Gabby snow shots.

Gabby makes my day most days. She thinks she is a little doggie when now she weighs 60lbs. Big Doggie!! Here are some fun pictures from our snow in January!

1st Birthday Party

So things have been crazy around Fayetteville in the last month. I need to do some catching up. First, after Michael and I both had the awful flu we had a wonderful 1^st Birthday party for our friend’s daughter. It was Dr. Seuss themed and I got to help with the invites. The party was so very cute and Stella definitely made out in new toys. And that sums it up…

Let me just say to everyone…I hope you don’t get the flu. Michael got it first, and I really thought I was in the clear. He was such a baby, or so I thought. He really did not have it THAT bad. About a day and a half after he got it, apparently it was my turn to become sick. I was so bad Michael called the hospital to find out if they could do something for me. It took me two days just to get out of bed. I really wouldn’t wish that flu on my worst enemies. I made myself get out of bed on Sunday, because I thought Stella’s birthday could not be missed. Before everyone decides I am horrible and could have gotten that poor baby sick with the flu…she is the one who gave it to us.

Stella is “1”and I can’t believe it. She is such a big girl now. She really has a close group of wonderful people around her…hehe if I do say so myself. Lots of family and of course friends were there and she was just as cute as a button for her birthday party. I am so glad Michael made me get out of bed and pushed me down the street to go. I would have been sad if I had missed all the fun.

Yummy cake and presents below!