Snow day

Snow!! Snow doesn't happen as often as we would like around here. My boys may never experience a white Christmas. But once a year, they will get an inch or two of snow and we will dress up and play around. Snow is magical. It brings nostalgia and play that I can't imagine life without. So when snow came and church was cancelled, you betcha, we played. 

First Snow

It's not very often that we get snow in the Northwest.  When we do it's a big deal.  Like cancel school for a week and don't leave your house kind of deal.  The kids play in the snow around the neighborhood and the adults upgrade their food storage, I mean - who knows when you'll be able to drive again!  It makes me wish I would have grown up here, we walked to school in snow. Uphill, both ways.  Just kidding, I never walked to school.  The novelty that North-westerners have for snow makes me appreciate it's beauty, so the second I saw snow on the ground I bundled up the babe, woke up the pup and we went to play - at 7am.  

You've had a birthday!

Shout Hooray!  Oliver turned 2 on July 3rd! And guess what... there were fireworks all week around the city to celebrate it!  That is what they were celebrating.... right?!

We let our pup party in style with a day full of treats, ice cream, play time and of course dress up and pictures.

He was NOT pleased with me when I told him to sit for the inside chalkboard shot.  Check out the look he gave me.  Easy with the attitude buddy, it's your birthday!

So, I took Oliver and Max outside for a little sunshine and fresh air.  He was much more happy and willing to smile for a few shots.

When Ben got home we opened presents and went out for ice cream.  Oliver was SO excited for his new kettle bell toy.  Seriously, I think it's his favorite toy ever.  He carries it with him to every room of the house!

We took Oliver to his favorite ice cream shop.  Actually, this should be everyone on the planet's favorite and it's not even ice cream... it's custard and it is DELICIOUS.  Just ask Oliver, he savored every lick.  He is such a polite ice cream cone eater.  He licked as I held the cone for him (that whole opposable thumbs thing), then when he got to the cone he swallowed it in one bite. Max basically slept through the entire ice cream party, which didn't seem to bother Oliver.

Wishing he happiest birthday and second year of life to the best dog in this world!  He is loving, well mannered, clean, and stole our hearts from the second we met him.  He is the best doggy addition to our family we could have ever dreamed of.  Happy Birthday Mr. Oliver! We love you!

Max and Oliver

There may not be many people who will let their dog lick their newborn (trust me we washed him afterward), but I like to think these boys have a special little best friend bond.  Oliver is so good with Max and Max is beginning to notice Oliver, following him with his eyes around a room.  After all, Oliver was the one to tell Ben I was pregnant and he laid on my tummy while Max grew like it was his own personal pillow.  I have a good feeling about these two.

A second frozen in time

I have an undying love for family photos.  I don't care if it's only Ben, I and an awesome dog, I would take family pictures every single week if Ben would allow it.  The thing is, Ben and I were cut from different molds and he doesn't love them as much as I do.  I count myself lucky to have gotten 2 sessions this year.  Just wait until this little babe comes, we are going to go photo CRAZY!  Brace yourself.  You see, the reason why I love photos is that it's a second frozen in time. Some day, years from now we will look back and smile on all our happy moments together.

In October Sylvia was in town.  Not only is she a fantastic photographer, but she was also more than willing to take a few photos of us for our annual Christmas card. We decided this was perfect timing since it was before reached that awesome moment pregnancy where I just look chubby and not with child. When does that go away, by the way!? :)

Somehow she was even able to get Ben to smile, Christmas miracles for all!

+

This last one is my absolute favorite.  Ah, love these guys! 

One year later

It has been one year, and one month, since this sweet boy joined our family.  You know we are absolutely obsessed with him and he still melts my heart multiple times a day.

party all day long

We have been so busy enjoying this summer sun and I love it!  This summer is full of work travel for me, so Ben and I vowed to party in our free time like it's 1999.  Booo for summertime work travel.  Don't these people know I only get 2 solid months of sun with my family?!

Number one.

Happy 1st Birthday to the most wonderful dog I have ever met.

Birthday's are a big deal in our house.  Everyone should always have a day dedicated to just them.  I have been prepping the pup for his big day for weeks.  In case you are wondering the best way to get your dog really excited is to make loud noises and jump up and down.  They think it is a party.  And they're right.  We plan on jumping up and down and yelling 'Happy Birthday' a lot today.  We also plan on eating cake, opening presents and spending lots of family time in the sun.  We know how to party.

Water dog

I would have never guessed that the 10 week old puppy that we forced persuaded into the water, on his first camping trip, who - when we finally let him out - pretended he didn't know us for a couple hours while he pouted slept off his fear....

Tall Grass

The past few days have been unbelievably gorgeous.  Spending all your time outside, soaking up sun, gorgeous.

Happy Easter

We were very happily surprised with GORGEOUS weather over Easter weekend.  Gorgeous.
We spent Friday at the beach, more on that later, and Saturday and Sunday with family and friends.

Random Phone Photos

Random photos I came across, while looking through my phone. They made me smile.

Rebellion

I'm going through a phase.

Valedictorian

For the last 6 weeks we have been in diligent puppy learning.  If we are honest we have been in puppy learning for a while now, but we decided to take Oliver to the professionals.

Obsessed Much

We are, it's true. Cutest dog ever.

Hair Cut

The first thing you should know is Oliver got a haircut.  We LOVED his shaggy long puppy hair. LOVED it.  But he was hot and miserable.  Watching your panting dog lay on the wood floor next to the nearest door, all the time, makes you feel a little bad.  Ben went out of town and begged me to cut Oliver while he was gone.  My answer was basically that there was no way I was ready to lose the puppy O.  Well, he left and I knew it needed to happen.  Oliver and I scheduled hair appointments on the same day. We might as well both get pampered in the process!

It's Tricky

"To rock around, to rock around on time that's right it's tricky."  If you don't know that RUN DMC's, Tricky, is basically the best song ever then you need to go back to 1987 and try again.

@ 6 Months

Dear Time, 

You are my enemy.  You make life feel like life is just a blink of an eye.  It hurts my heart.  

Amber

our Christmas highlights

What a blessed Christmas we had.  We tried to soak up every second we had off work and enjoy the time together with family and friends.  Here are our highlights.

2011 Ornaments

We barely made it!  6 days before Christmas we\ picked out our 2011 Christmas ornaments.