Open for discussion

This is my attempt at creating a cleaner look and beginning the process of changing things up a bit.

I think I may have to have someone actually create a new look for me, but if you know how and can teach me online (yes, I'm looking at you Martie!), I am ready and willing to learn!

Stacey

Sigh....

I miss my voice.

Oh, I still have one.

I just really really miss the one that talks here.

Facebook is quick and easy, but just not the same.

I have needed quick and easy these past few months, but at some point I HAVE to catch up here.

So please don't be surprised when I post about Christmas in July!

I tried to post a few times between February and now, but I got easily frustrated with our online being slow, Blogger being REALLY slow downloading pics, and lots going on around the homestead.

I continue to read my blogs all the time, but once again, I read them on my phone and fell behind commenting as well.

Anyway, I updated my blog to-do list for posts and hope to download some pics so I can try try again!

I need a magic wand!

Here is my teaser...Easter pics!

Stacey

Puppy Love

Just a quick update on a recent event to tell you of some exciting news around here.  And so my husband can pull up these pictures to show at work....and try to convince some people to take a puppy!  :)

We got Micki in October from a neighbor of a friend of mine.  Turned out my husband actually knew the owner, but we didn't figure that out until we went to pick up Micki.  Micki is a registered full chocolate lab.  She is 3 years old and the family had kept her from the last litter their dog, Mandy, had.  The family had decided they were too busy for a "puppy" and wanted to give her to a family with kids so she could have lots of attention and fun.  Micki had had a litter of puppies once herself, but it wasn't a good delivery and we were told she had not been in heat since then.  That made us a little slow on the move as far as getting her fixed.  Silly us!! :)  Micki is more on the timid side as she had never been away from her mother who was definately the matriarch.  However, she is a wonderful dog and has been so good with the kids.  She loves to run and enjoys the pond now and then.

About a month after we got her, we started having some visitors.  Yep, she was in heat!  I tell you, I have never seen anything like it.  It was like an antenae up on our roof and the signal went out!!  We tried to discourage suitors, but of course, we weren't always here to supervise Micki's "dates".  After we realized she was pregnant, we had our hunch on two dogs; another chocolate lab and a hound dog from across the street.

It turns out the hound won her affections.  So, while we weren't able to carry on the pure chocolate lab tradition, we did find out that Rivers is a registered American Black and Tan Hound.  Apparently, a good dog.  A big dog!!

These pictures are a bit mixed up but I wanted to get them loaded and show a variety.  It seems to take so long to load pictures with Blogger these days, I didn't want to spend more time rearranging them!

Anysa helping Micki open her Christmas present.

Checking out her new bone treat.

Don't mind if I do!

Yum! Yum!

Brax and Micki during our January snow.

Our new Mommy!  Three weeks ago, Micki gave birth to TWELVE puppies!  Oh my, Momma!  And I thought it was hard to nurse and care for one baby at a time.  I had never been present for an animal birth, so this was a good and interesting experience.  I am so glad that a retired vet at church had told us a few things to expect so we wouldn't feel so lost once the birthing started.  Sadly, we lost one puppy.  We think Micki might have sat on the puppy.  :(    On a more positive note, the other 11 puppies did great and have grown like crazy.

Meet Daddy Rivers.

This was a sweet family pic in late October.

I thought this was a really good pic of Micki.  And who is that little human in the background,  you ask?  Why yes, that is Brax trying so hard to get in the pen so he can play in the tub of water!

Our sweet little puppies checking out their new play area.  We built a welping  box for Micki to have her puppies and we knew this weekend that they were getting ready to escape, so we used it and several other barriers to build a "pen" and still allow them to sleep in their box at night.

A big yawn!

Now how can anyone resist this cuteness?!

Or this?!

The gang

 

Daddy checking on his little pups.

The kids are having fun with all these puppies to love on and play with.  Daddy is having fun with all the, um you know, stuff to clean up every day.  Since Micki decided to give birth in January and we have had lots of snow, it has been really cold with Micki spending lots of time in the garage.  Good times for Daddy!

We have 8 boys and 3 girls.  All beautiful with shiny black coats.  Most are pretty chunky with a few on the lean (but healthy) side.  Only one a special mark...a white spot on his chest.  The kids are negotiating hard for 2 (or more!!), but we have agreed to keep one boy puppy.  We like the idea of having a companion for Micki.  Of course, right now, they are all so stinkin' cute that we want them all but I am sure reality will set in soon of what a crazy thought that is!  :)

We are figuring that they will be ready for new homes in March.

Which one do you want?!!  ;)

Stacey

Alamo & Sea World 2010

In September, I convinced my  husband that we needed a little vaca since we skipped the summer one dealing with the house.  We have friends in San Antonio, so we decided on Alamo and Sea World.  The last time we had been to Sea World, Anysa was just about Brax's age now.

I was so excited to get us really good Sea World tickets.  They had a special that you could buy a kid ticket for $5 with each adult ticket purchase.  Plus, Brett Michaels was playing in concert that night so that made the trip complete...ha!

The kids had a Friday off, so we headed down on Thursday night so we could check out the Alamo before SW opened.

Heading in for the tour.

Forgot the details, but this tree is BIG and OLD!

Waiting for the dolphins!

This was so fun!!  Since we were there on a Friday morning, the crowds were still really low for the shows.  Anysa was asked to be in the seal show!!

Finding out what it was like to be a seal.

She was a trooper!

Meeting her new friend!

They gave us fish coupons for being in the show.  Those seals can really eat!

Mommy, Luke, and Anysa coming in for the big splash!

SO FUN!!

Our cool dude!  We did take him on a few rides, including a water one.

Having fun at the SW park.

Waiting on Shamu!

Seriously, I could have taken even more pictures of this.  I don't think it ever stops being magical!  Gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.

Goosebumps again!

Shortly after this picture, Daddy headed to high ground with Brax while I braved the upcoming tidal wave with the big kids.

We got to meet the new baby whale!

A family performance!

They warn you a LOT that it is coming, but you are never quite ready!  And they are not kidding, you get WET WET WET!!  I managed to save my camera right after snapping this shot of Anysa and Luke down front. 

Wish Luke could have been that little boy meeting Shamu.

Saying good bye....and one last splash!!

Brett was returning to SW that night after cancelling this concert last year due to going to the hospital.

Anysa's typical pose at loud concerts (despite wanting to be there!).  We missed the shot of Luke rocking it out.  The couple behind us was laughing at his enthusiasm.

This happened about 5 minutes before the concert started...he was pooped.  And he did not wake up despite the noise!!

We only stayed for about 4 or 5 songs, but I liked it and he did a good show.



We crashed HARD at the hotel that night before visiting with friends the next day. 

I think everyone had a good time!

Stacey