First week with Ginny

So, we survived the first week with our new puppy. She is so cute, so much fun. She sleeps like an angel every night, about 10 hours in her kennel.  She cuddles with the kids on her blanket in the den. She takes 2 walks a day and plays and runs and chases balls all around the tennis court. She also she gets wild and crazy and nips everyone. She had her first bath (which she did NOT enjoy) and soaked me completely.  She likes getting her picture taken.  Her first toy was a quacking duck, so she at least pretends to be a duck hunter like the rest of the gang.  Brandon is getting braver every day, though he still spends a lot of time sitting on the barstools at the island (up high!).  He does like to take her for walks, as she behaves pretty well and doesn't nip him then!  She is definitely part angel, part devil. Fits right in with the rest of them.

It finally happened...

We are not dog people. We are not pet people. There are too many humans in this house as it is, we do not need a dog.  I repeated this mantra for as long as I could before I gave in. I want to be dog people. Not the kooky kind that put them in costumes and kiss them on the lips. Just the normal kind, that play catch and go for walks with their dogs.
So Jason's friend Jim Summers went elk hunting in Wyoming a few weeks ago and met a little pup. She her mom was a sheepdog and her dad a Border Collie and she was living on a ranch. It was 17 degrees and she was living under a shed, no blanket, no food, no attention or love. He kinda fell in love with her. When he went back a few weeks later he was told to take her or she was going to the pound.  So he did. And he called Jason and said "your dog is on its way". Jason informed him that he doesn't want a dog. Jim knew better. He brought Ginny (short for Ginger) over to meet us on Friday.  She was darling. Not exactly the kind of dog I had imagined us wanting, but there was just something about her. She had freckles on her nose and a spot that looked like grease on her tail and a blue spot in one eye that was really cool. She was playful and sweet and cute and we loved her right away.  On  Sunday, we went over to Jim and Wendy's house to play with her again, and told the kids that we could take her home.  They were thrilled. Ashlyn has been begging for at least a year, hard core.  She desperately wanted a dog.  Amy and Ash fell in love quickly, Aly too but with a bit more trepidation. Brandon is pretty freaked out, yet he says he loves her and she is so cute.  Today he put on his Batman mask and costume to protect himself from dog kisses. Great plan.

So here she is, 12 weeks old, 18 pounds, precious.

An Evening of Excellence

The YW had their Evening of Excellence, where they are awarded ribbons for completing values in their Personal Progress book. It was beautiful, such a special night for Amy and for Mom who got to award all those sweet girls their ribbons.

October

Trunk or Treat, haircut for Brandon, and pumpkin carving

Is it just me or does she look really grown up all of a sudden?

I love black and white photos. 

Bet you didn't know we had a Superhero in the family

Aly turns 11!

Thanks to a fabulous big sister, Aly walked around school on her birthday with a beautiful crown, a sign that says "hug me, it's my 11th birthday!" and a bundle of balloons. Amy says its a Redwood tradition (unfortunately one that she has never experienced, having a summer birthday stinks!) Aly had a great day, dinner with the family, and two parties! Birthday week extravaganza!