Big milestones!!!

Don't have much time to write, I just returned home from a trip to Flint and I need to prep my slider and front window for replacement in the morning!

Isobel is about 4.5 months. At her appt last week, she was:

24.5" long (50%)
14lbs 7oz (75%)

Today she did two huge things!!! She sat on her own for a few minutes AND she ALMOST rolled over from back to front!!! Seems an ear infection doesn't stop her from charging forward, does it!!!

Other things she is up to:
- She is experiencing some "stranger anxiety" to some degree with just about everyone except myself and Isaac...tho, we are working on that, and she played and smiled more with Mom this weekend than the last time we were home.
- She is moving into 6-9 month clothes already (she's really a chunky lil monkey!).
- Isaac makes her laugh louder than ANYONE. She adores him.
- Most nights she sleeps almost 12 hours straight. What a difference from Isaac (even now!)
- Aside from the stranger thing - she really is very easy going!

Just a little bit of cutsie.

Isobel adores her brother. Any time he pays attention to her, you will hear her loudest laughs, sweetest coos and see her biggest smiles.

This isn't the biggest or best smiles/giggles - but it's cute all the same.

Privacy or Wha?

In October, I had my wallet stolen while at Walmart. Yes...I said Walmart. I never go there - Brian and I have had a "unless without other option" standpoint of the place (sometimes in Tawas, it's our only option, but that is rare). Anyways, I went there for one thing I knew they had - because I didn't want to drive all over town...and wouldn't you know - someone enjoyed using our credit cards/debit cards for the next few hours while I was blissfully unaware. I didn't even hear the credit card companies calling the house because I was enjoying the sunshine outside with a friend. So, the rest of the day was filled with calling all the companies, reissuing cards, changing accounts, etc. I even went and got a new driver's license...only to discover a few days later that my license was actually at the bottom of my diaper bag. (figures!)

OK - that wasn't great. I felt a bit of comfort knowing the "perp" (that's for Dawn) didn't have my license. So, aside from my name and my fuzzy photo on my Costco card, he/she/it didn't know anything about me. [Darn, I just realized there were a few photos of Isaac in there]

The police officer said, chances are, the "perp" was watching out for someone, just like me. A distracted mom with 2 kids. It made me feel so naive....but he was right. I was a TOTALLY distracted mom with 2 kids. Anyone who has been shopping with Isaac can understand how that would happen!!!

Fast forward to Nov 15th. I get a call from the bank asking me to verify a check coming through one of our accounts. Instantly, my heart sank. This particular account isn't one we use much - so I am pretty much the only one who ever writes checks from it...and most certainly not checks that clear all except 9.17 from the account. And it wasn't 100 bucks, I'll tell you that.

Now I am creeped out.

See....ok - I can accept that account numbers get taken. It doesn't take more than a real routing number and some lucky guessing to hit on a real account - I am sure. But..what bothered me was - this forged check was written out to someone in GR...AND the fact that it literally cleared our account. I am surprised the teller even cashed the check - since it didn't take a rocket scientist to know the issuing bank has changed names (at least 5 years ago!) - but cash it, they did. Did they somehow gain access to our account to know? Was that just a lucky guess too? I am going to say probably not. Now, do they know where I live? My husband's name? And, just out of curiosity - I type the name of the person that was on the check into google? Where does he show up? Same address as on the forged check. Has facebook account. Right there. All sorts of information. It dawned on me, finding info about me probably isn't that hard either. Granted, this person may not be the person who actually did it - but well....if they aren't smart enough...possibly it is.

Thankfully, through the whole process, all the banks/companies have been really great - we now have credit alerts our credit reports, all the money is back where it should be....but the fact still remains...that person knew too much about us. That person gained access to our account - somehow.

So - I went and tightened up my facebook account. If it's the same person, I didn't want him knowing details of my distracted daily life. I've debated making this more private too - but I am not sure I put much on here that is going to tell anyone something about me - especially since I post so far past events, it's not like they are going to know when I am home or not...but...egh.... just bothersome. The whole ordeal.

So....not that it's Walmart's fault...but I think I will pass on going there next time.

Update on life...

Well, we have just been busy, what can I say?

I feel bad, not updating, or sharing, mostly for Isobel's sake. She has been doing so much lately. In the last few weeks, she has started "talking", she grabs at things and "laughs". She has also started to try to pull herself up when sitting in the bouncy or swing, so she really likes when we help her sit upright. She is also on the verge of rolling over - I anticipate it to happy any day now.

She is such a laid back baby most of the time, so much, that I feel like a bad parent! Isaac required so much rocking, cuddles, etc - and she is happy to be laid down without a fuss. We wake up to coos and "chatting" instead of shrieks! She has been sleeping all night, as in 8pm-almost 8am until I wake her the next morning because I am so full of milk!

On Isaac's front: He is very much enjoying school. He can write his name now and loves to tell me stories about what they did in school. We've been saving all his projects, which I know I can't keep forever, but I am just so tickled by all of them. He is taking a sports sampler, which he is really getting into - and he has gone a great job of listening and picking up all the concepts. You know Isaac, 'have feet, will run'.

At the end of October, I had their photos taken, and although we didn't get many great shots of Isobel, some of the photos of Isaac show such a grown up side of him.

I never thought I would be in awe of these little creatures of ours. Even in the most challenging moments, I look at how they seem to grow and change each day - and I am so amazed. I try to soak it all up, knowing that holding on to those little moments, when our heads are full of schedules, lists and tasks is hard....but at night, when Isaac is crashed out in bed with "Bear" or when Isobel is smiling up at me from the changing table, it's the most amazing feeling in the world.

Click here to view these pictures larger

A serious observation

As we drove past downtown Chicago:

"Isaac, look - there is the Sears Tower!"

"Mom, that's not just one serious tower, there are two serious towers"

"Sears Tower, Isaac"

"No Mom, Serious Tower. It's Serious."

Well then...I guess it is!

New dining room table!

We bought a new dining room table last May - and we finally have the new chairs to go with it!

We found the table in an antique shop (Back Room Antiques) in Tawas and loved it instantly. It wasn't until we heard that it was going to be shipped to a store in Kzoo that we became serious about buying it.

The nifty thing about it is that it is handmade by a retired gentleman out of reclaimed barn wood. It just so happens the wood for this table is from an 1890's milking barn located in Frankenmuth (we even have a picture of the barn!). We had to order the chairs for the guy to finish, and we just got them last week.

We LOVE this table!! Not only is is unique and beautiful, but it's nice to be able to seat more than 4 people comfortably!

Implant Day

So - today I went to have the first step of my dental implant done. I was terrified, more than I was to go into labor. Seriously!!! However, it was not so horrific (certainly was not pleasant tho)...and, now I sit here thinking..."huh, shouldn't I have a little pain?". I mean, I can feel that something has happened to my mouth - but pain isn't a word I would use to define it.

[crunches on cheez-its]

For those of you who do not know, last spring, while pregnant, my front tooth fell out. I had already had a crown and a root canal done on this tooth - so when I wrestled with Isaac one day, and he hit me in the jaw, I should have known trouble was brewing. However, I did not - and a few weeks later, while eating cereal at my Mom's house....just like that - it fell out. Obviously, because I was pregnant, they didn't want to do the implant until after Isobel was born. Therefore, I have been walking around for months with a "flipper" (which is a polite way of saying denture).

[pauses for more cheez-its]

So, back to the pain thing - I pretty much think I am some bizarro who doesn't experience pain like other people. Back when I had my first foot surgery, I took the Vicodin like they said to, to keep the "pain manageable". All that did was make me sick to my stomach for 3 days. For the second foot surgery, I didn't take anything. I waited for the pain. Um....yeah...didn't happen. Not saying I was ready to dance a jig, but I certainly didn't need to take anything. Fast forward past 2 drug free labor & deliveries....(I'll admit, I popped a motrin the night after having Isobel because the cramping was a distracting feeling)...and now this. It's not that I am opposed to taking anything....I just don't feel enough discomfort to justify it. I don't get it...am I just some pain-tolerant freak, or is it just not there?

So...back to the implant, I go back in a few weeks, then after 3 months to assure all is going as planned...then I get to go to my dentist for the "tooth" portion....and I can be done with this ridiculous and embarrassing saga in my life.

Isaac - Quote of the Day

"Here Dad, I will put my helium on you."

(said in reference to putting his hand on Brian's injured calf muscle, apparently he meant "healing")

Isobel - 2 month stats

October 8, 2010

Weight: 11lbs 12 oz (75%)
Height: 22" (50%)
Head: 15" (50%)

Happy 4th Birthday Isaac!

Since our family birthday party was scheduled for the 19th, we decided to invite a couple local friends over to celebrate Isaac's 4th birthday. As it turns out - lots of friends were free that day - so it turned into a big party!!! Thankfully, the rain passed and we were able to have a spidey-riffic time!

A big thanks to our friend Katie for doing the face paints, they were the hit of the party!!!

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Long overdue posts

Do we see a theme here? So far, having 2 kids has been pretty good...however, my screen time has definitely been impacted. I can barely get a chance to reply to emails (and when I do, it's one handed typing because I am nursing!) much less updating our blog!

Anyways, here are some posts I updated recently...

Visit to Dutch Village
http://spratke.blogspot.com/2010/08/dutch-village.html

End of the Summer at the Cabin
http://spratke.blogspot.com/2010/09/end-of-summer-at-cabin.html

Dawn and Sam meet Isobel
http://spratke.blogspot.com/2010/08/dawn-and-sam-meet-isobel.html

Crim Weekend and Thomas the Train
http://spratke.blogspot.com/2010/09/crim-weekend-and-thomas-train.html

Isaac starts preschool
http://spratke.blogspot.com/2010/09/isaacs-first-day-of-preschool.html

Isaac's first day of preschool

Isaac started preschool at Meadowbrook Elementary. He was very excited to go to school! He gets excited to put things in his locker every morning and comes running to me at the end of the day with a huge smile on his face. It exhausts him!!! Now..if only it could be 5 mornings a week, instead of 3....

Isaac tells Bear after his first day "it was pretty good, I will go again and again".

Videos from Crim and Thomas

The Crim Festival started a kids area a few years ago - we checked it out for the first time, and to Isaac's delight, all the inflatables were free!!!

Then, at Crossroads, he had fun on the ferris wheel with Gillian.

Note the difference from the last time we went on it: Ferris Wheel At Crossroads 2008

On another vintage ride

Crim Weekend and Thomas the Train

A weekend that we always enjoy is the Crim Festival of Races. This year, because Michael and Perry were busy with Witherbee's - there was no party, but we were able to mill about near the store, then walk downtown. We even tried out the kid's area, which we had not seen since they started it. Brian didn't run this year, but we cheered on a friend from Grand Rapids, even though we couldn't find her in the crowd! (yay Christine!)

Then, of course, Thomas the Train at Crossroads Village. We went with "Aunt" Candy, her granddaughter Gillian and Mom. Despite the heat, Isaac and Gillian loved it!!!

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Isobel - 2 week stats

August 26, 2010

Weight: 7lbs 11 oz (35%)
Height: 20.5 inches (50%)
Head: 14" (50%)

Dawn and Sam meet Isobel

Dawn and Sam came to visit Isobel. While they were here, we tried to make a treat that I saw online. Unfortunately, it didn't look like it did in the picture....but it was still fun to make and mighty yummy!!!

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End of the summer at the cabin

We were able to get a quick weekend in at the cabin shortly after Isobel was born. The weather wasn't fabulous, but it was nice enough to reconnect with some neighbors and get some R&R in!Who doesn't love cabin breakfasts?

While we were there, a the light fixture in the cathedral broke. We discovered that you CAN rent ladders THAT tall in Tawas!! Thank goodness!


More pictures:

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Dutch Village

We went to the Dutch Village in Holland with Mindi (Kayla and Leah) and Heather (Ethan and Emily) when Isobel was 11 days old. Isaac had a ton of fun on the rides. He was particularly fond of the little cars that you had to "pump" to move...at one point, he was pushing several of the other kids!!!

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Isobel's Newborn Pictures...

I finally uploaded Isobel's newborn pictures. They were done by Clever Creations Photography in Grand Rapids.

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5 hours before...

The day Isobel was born was jam-packed. Brian took Isaac to his company picnic, while I cleaned and grocery shopped. Then, we met up at Parker Diemer's 1st birthday party. We left there shortly after this photo was taken...andd Isobel was born about 5 hours later!!!

Introducing Isobel Joan

Isobel Joan
August 7, 2010 7:49pm
6lbs 2oz, 19"

This is a little behind, but I discovered that I can upload photos directly from our shutterfly page. Hopefully I can post things a little faster now!!!

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37 weeks, 2 days.

At this point in my pregnancy with Isaac...well, I was packing a bag to head to the hospital. My water had broken and we were heading in - still skeptical that it was really time to have a baby. I didn't FEEL like I was on the verge of giving birth...but, doc said head in - so packin' up and going in we did.

Little did we know, less than 3.5 hours later, we'd be parents.

So...that bring us today. I had my last (hopefully) ultrasound with Dr. B, our specialist....he said that she is just a smidge under 6lbs. Her growth has slowed slightly in the last few weeks, but she is still in the 32% percentile (apparently to date, she has been trending in the 33%). We are dilated 1-2 cm (Dr. K couldn't be more specific as she was racing to head out to deliver another baby)...so....we wait.

In the meantime, the baby room is ready....we are getting a lot of "to do's" done around the house...Mom came to help me out for a few days (like tonight, when I spent 3 hours sitting at the doctor's office!!!)....and trying to keep busy so time passes faster and we don't analyze every twinge and ache I have! After all, in the last few weeks, I have felt things which are totally normal and average for a pregnancy - however, I never had with Isaac!!! I now understand what people mean when they say they can't shave their legs or grab something off the floor!!!

But, I am not complaining! Lil "I" is growing, healthy and will be here sooner than we expect!

Catching Up Posts

I went back and added some posts which were long overdue (they are all pretty short!):

Blue Sky Girl's Weekend
http://spratke.blogspot.com/2010/05/blue-sky-girls-weekend.html

New Dining Room Table
http://spratke.blogspot.com/2010/05/catching-up-new-dining-room-table.html

Mom's Retirement
http://spratke.blogspot.com/2010/05/moms-retirement-party.html

Joe and Leslie's Wedding
http://spratke.blogspot.com/2010/05/congrats-joe-and-leslie.html

Memorial Day Weekend
http://spratke.blogspot.com/2010/05/memorial-day-2010.html

Bathroom Redo
http://spratke.blogspot.com/2010/06/bathroom-redo.html

Attempt at Potted Veggies
http://spratke.blogspot.com/2010/06/attempt-at-potted-veggies.html

Nursery Flashback
http://spratke.blogspot.com/2010/06/nursery-flashback.html

Father's Day Weekend

Isaac and I took advantage of our last few weeks of "freedom" to spend a week up at the cabin. Grandpa Motorcycle (Dad) visited for the first few days (we bought bug nets, read a lot of books and played in the sandbox when it was too cold to do otherwise)....then Grandma Carol (Mom) came up to visit for a day - allowing Brian and I to go out on "date night" with the neighbors!!!The weather was, as it has been trending, just beautiful for the weekend, and all of Isaac's buddies were up - it was a total boyfest-oh-rama!!!

Complete with cowboys, indians and a few army guys mixed in.....

Brian and Don even got to go on a "rescue mission" for a kite boarder who was farther out than any of us were comfortable with. Come to find out - he was just plain nuts and wanted to be way out there.....but oh, what excitement it was for us on the beach!

Happy Father's Day Brian!!!

Weekend Engineering

Here is a photo of what Brian and our friends Andrew & Alex engineered over the weekend.

We had a small water balloon fight with our neighbors who seemed ill prepared for the water balloon factory that had been prepared and stocked.

9 Things about 9 Years Ago Today.

I started this post thinking I would just post 9 things about our wedding day that make me smile when I remember them. The thing is...there seem to be so many more than 9!

9. 300 people - Brian looked at me in shock when I told him how many people were on the invite list. He seemed shocked that we would have so many...however, on that day - I think he fully grasped why we had so many....when we look back at our photo album, we see so many faces of people that mean so much to us.

8. The dress I just got preserved last month - There is something about wearing a dress that makes both your mother and your friend (Sarah!) go..."that's it!". Crossing the street in NYC, to the bank to withdrawal cash for it and heading onto the subway with this large, white bag over my shoulder - the weekend of Sept. 9th, 2000. The little lady, Helen, who so artfully created the bustle and wanted to only charge me $25. It is the only part of my wedding that I got to share with my Grandmother - and I can still remember her hands touching the stitching on the bodice.

7. St. Matthew Church, Flint MI - Not only is this where Brian and I were married, but the site of several members of my families weddings, communions and funerals. Father Taggart was wonderful with us, during our pre-marriage prep...and the church - in my opinion, the most beautiful in Flint. Every time I drive past, I think of that day, and the photo in our album showing all our friends and family spilling out of the front doors.

6. The Heddy House - We were so grateful to the Heddy's for welcoming us and allowing our wedding party to roam about their beautiful house - when all we had hoped for was some nice outdoor photos somewhere close to downtown Flint! The "down time" that we had with our wedding party was priceless...and our favorite wedding photo is from their staircase.

5. Uncle Jim playing the bagpipes - One of my grandmother's last wishes. Brought some of my family to tears...and surprised Brian, because I kinda forgot to mention it to him in the last minute preparations!! (oops)

4. Yummy cake - I let my mom pick out the cake of "my dreams"...and what a great decision that was! The cake was beautiful AND yummy!!! Can you say raspberry and mousse in the same sentence without getting in trouble?! Seriously. Even better: the anniversary cake they made for us a year later!

3. Italian honeymoon - What a great choice that was! We even still have a friend from there (hi Anne!). I will never forget getting bumped up to business class, spending days on the beach in Sicily and watching Mt.Etna erupt from our hotel room. Can't wait to go back someday!

2. Post-Reception fun - Hanging out in someone's hotel room after the wedding reception. Brian and I were staying in a hotel across the way from the one most of our friends were staying in...we looked out the window and saw all the fun they were having....ditched our wedding clothes and ran over to join in the fun!!!

1. Smartest day of my life - Marrying someone I trust, love and respect. And still do.

I love you, Brian.

Week 30 Update

Here we are, at week 30. Hard to believe.

We have put the crib and rocker back up in the baby's room - and it looks just like it did when we had Isaac - so SURREAL! I visited both of my OB's last week - and everything is looking good.

I am measuring at 31 weeks. I have gained 21lbs. Lil one is absolutely average at approx 3lbs 8oz. Dr. B could see hair in my ultrasounds, so it's safe to say - she is not bald! So far, everything is very average! No complaints here.

I feel fine these days, although I am beginning to notice my lack of mobility. Bending, stretching, etc are getting to be more of a challenge - but really, for the most part, I feel pretty good.

Hard to believe we only have between 7-9 weeks left....

Now, back to my 1 gillion things on my to do list!

Nursery Flashback

We are still getting our nursery back in order - but it's somewhat of a flashback!!!

Attempt at Potted Veggies

This year we decided to attempted potted veggies. I am only hopeful that half of them make it....but half will do!

We planted:
Bush cucumber, (2) basil, (2) types of lettuce, summer squash, rosemary, patio tomatoes, cabbage, peppers, cherry tomato and some mystery plant my neighbor gave us.

They are all doing amazing so far!!!

In the meantime, my indoor plants are all dying. Apparently I should stick to the fakies inside!!!

Bathroom Redo

Instead of redoing the nursery, I decided to redo our bathroom!!! It was about time..and although I am not done hanging shelves and painting the doors (all of the trim and doors in our house are slated to be painted, post-baby!)....here's the result!

Memorial Day 2010

We really didn't take any pictures at Memorial Day this year!!!

Isaac and I went up a week early - joined for a few days by Kathy & Ava....and what a great plan that was! The weather was AMAZING, the water trending in the high 60's - and we spent every day on the beach. (We had the burns to prove it!)

By the weekend, when Brian and the neighbors arrived, we had restocked the sunscreen and gave out ample warnings....

Mom and Candy came up, and although Mom was under the weather and spent most of her time napping and resting - Candy braved the beach with us!

We had a great time catching up with the neighbors again, and at our annual neighborhood cookout at the Woollatt cottage.

Isaac-isms.

Isaac-ism 1:

I just told Isaac to eat a little faster, and he said "Mom, I am ENJOYING it"

Isaac-ism 2:

Last night, we were eating pizza with the neighbors.

I said "whoa, Isaac, that's a big slice"

He said "that's why I am eating it - to make it smaller".

Of course, how did I not know that?

Isaac-ism 3:

He likes to notice things that "are in this world". The other day, we passed a blue bus. He said "Mom! There is a blue bus in this world!" - Yes...yes apparently there is!

or - "Mom, why are there so many skitos in this world?"

Congrats Joe and Leslie!

A special congrats to "Officer Joe" and Leslie on their wedding (and birthdays)!

Mom's Retirement Party

My mom retired in early May, so a few of her co-workers threw her a retirement party in a conference room at City Hall. Isaac apparently feels that City Hall's halls are perfect for bouncy ball applications.

We even got a quick stop in to the Deco Deli and then we went out to Blackstone's with the Mutzelburgs!
Happy Retirement Mom!!

Catching up on life...belated prego pic

We are starting to catch up on life...and one thing I have promised people was a picture of the "belly". This shot is from April 15th (23 or 24 weeks?). Brian and I were on our "babymoon" in Washington DC.

Catching Up - New Dining Room Table

This is long overdue, but while cleaning the camera card off - I thought I'd try to catch up on some posting...
We splurged on a new dining room table. We fell in love with it a few months ago in an antique shop in East Tawas. Come to find out - the gentleman who makes them builds them by hand from reclaimed barn wood.
This particular table comes from a "1890's milking barn" from Frankenmuth. We purchased 4 chairs and a bench to go with it, however, we are still waiting on the chairs (he has those ordered and is waiting for them to be delivered so he can finish them and deliver them). For the time being, we are using our old chairs still - which looks a little silly, but what the hey!
It is so nice to have a "grown up" table that can seat more than 4 people!!!

Blue Sky Girl's Weekend

Laura, Wendy, Renee, Jennifer, Dawn and Becky

For the second time, the "Blue Sky" gals took a trip to the Marina Grand in New Buffalo for a weekend of rest and relaxation.

There was cooking together, swimming in the pool, massages at the Harbor Country Day Spa, a fancy dinner at an Italian restaurant and of course...lots of wine (tho, not for me - sniffle!). Not to be forgotten - the infamous "survey".

It was a wonderful weekend to rest and catch up with great friends!

Memories of Blue

One week has past, and although we've gotten used to the quiet of the house - we both still hear phantom "taps" at the door (taught by neighbor dog Molly), the deep sighs just after he settled onto his favorite soft spots on the couch or the 'woo woos' that said came, like clockwork, at breakfast and dinnertime. We haven't adjusted to sleeping in bed without him hogging at least 1/3 of it. We still expect to see his face in the window when we pull in, him roaming the back yard, or snoring lightly on the couch next to the window.

We picked up his ashes yesterday, prepared to be brave - only to melt when we saw they gave us a print of his paw. Not unlike the prints of Kiaser's paw in the floor at our cabin - that I protect with a vengeance ever time we discuss refinishing the floor. I thought by cremating him, it would make sending his remains off to some happy place - probably up north, his favorite place - easier...but I am not sure it is going to be. So where do you put the "Tin o' boxer"? As much as I'd like to put him somewhere that I imagine he'd be pleased with, he (his remains at least) is safely tucked in the entertainment center, far from toddler hands.

So many people sent cards and condolences. We had over 100 comments between our two facebook pages. Some people mentioned special memories of Blue - ones I don't want to forget...like how he used to play "hacky sack" with balloons, stalk bananas, his "peanut head", floppy jowls, how he used to walk himself to and from the beach as he liked, how he used to love to stick his head out the sunroof when he knew we were getting close to his buddy Max's house, the way he'd dive under water like the "Loch Ness Boxer"...and, that he "set the standard for boxers". I know someday, we will get another dog (a boxer, if I have say!)...but it's so hard to even imagine any dog having so much personality and being as good and loyal as he was.

He was Brian's first gift to me, his first expression of a promise that we were going to be a family someday. He took such care and patience training him...I'd come home from work and he'd be in the yard at my house with Blue, doing commands like "sit"and "stay". In a way, Blue showed me what kind of father Brian would be some day. When Brian traveled, Blue kept me feeling safe and make me laugh....but the truth was told the minute Brian walked in the door, and he'd "kidney bean" his way to him, nub wagging as fast as it could.

I could go on and on. Suffice it to say, "this guy" was deeply loved by his family...and we will miss him forever.

I've been collecting photos of Blue in hopes of making a small memory book. I've barely made it through year 2005 yet - but feel free to check here to see them:

Memories of Blue Photos

"Indeed, our lives have been enriched beyond measure because of the love of a dog. We have been adopted by the most irrepressible of clowns, that most intuitive of comforters, that most selfless of companions- the Boxer."

Lord Labatt of Blue Sky, 02/14/99 - 05/05/10

Our dear companion lost his battle to cancer yesterday. I can't really write more right now except the sadness we feel is overwhelming.

Whitecaps Home Opener 2010

We went to 5/3 Ballpark today for the White Caps Home Opener. The weather was beautiful!!! We were joined by my cousin Rob and his wife Kayla, and our friends, Brian & Mary with Luke and James. Isaac and Luke had a great time playing "baseball" together, and then finished off the day by running the bases!