Long Time Coming

Well, I have been chastised a few times from some friends about not keeping posts up to date. Here it is early in the morning, which I am never awake, I'm housebound, and I am bored out of mind!! So here is my attempt for the updates.

I think our biggest news as of late is that Xander was diagnosed with Diabetes in March. He was drinking insane amounts of water and then in just a few days he looked just like skin and bones (hair and bones). So, we have been working on maintaining his blood sugars. I wish there were an easy way to do this at home, but I just have to take him to the vet every couple weeks. We give him insulin shots every morning and evening. He really is a good sport about this. The saddest part, is just in the last week he has lost his eye-sight. He really can't see anything. He runs into things and I have to drag him on walks. He's so excited to go, yet it scares him not being able to see whats right in front of him. He's such a sweet dog, despite it all. I hope we can help him and he can adapt quickly.

Enough of the sad stuff! Other news is that my parents have been living with us since the end of May. They sold my childhood home (sniff, sniff) and are waiting for a new one to be finished. I never thought the day would come that this would happen. Maybe that we would have live with them at some point, if we had to, but my parents with us; crazy. It hasn't been too bad. I think we are all ready though for it to be done though. It's nice to have your own space. They are hoping to move in the end of this month. Xander has enjoyed having a couple buddies! I have enjoyed pedicures, lunches, and Parade of Homes with my Mom.

We have done some fun stuff this summer. We went to Joe's Valley, where Joe's family has a cabin. We enjoyed time with family, 4-wheeler riding, skeet shooting, etc. . . Here are some pictures of the reservoir and our walk with Xander. It was beautiful!

We also went to the Stadium of Fire a couple weeks ago with my family for July 4th Celebrations. I loved Carrie Underwood!! She is a great Singer and very entertaining! If anyone every wants to go to one of her concerts, I am always game!

I was also able to go Waterskiing with some work friends last week. I challenged them to teach to me to water ski, because I can never get up. I only tried wake-boarding and I got up once! Only for about 5 seconds, but hey I did it!!

We are looking forward to some trips to New York and a Meditterranean Cruise later this summer!!

Decorating

Well, after a lot of looking we finally found some new couches! We have spent so much time getting our yard done, that now we can focus on the inside. We love them! Joe can rock and recline. I told him that I probably will be sleeping a lone from now on. Which happens unless I wake him up and tell him to come to bed. Here is a pic of them.

I hope to get to some more painting of walls soon!

We enjoyed spending Thanksgiving with Joe's family. I know I wasn't too much fun because I just came off working a night shift, but I was glad we could go.

I finally got to putting up the Christmas decorations today. For some reason, I haven't been too excited about it this year. I've decided though that I definetely need to go to the after Christmas sales! Pretty much all of our decorations are stuff our parents gave us. Which is great, but I think its time for some new stuff. Here is a picture of what I got to today.

Long Time No Post

Well, after a few people getting after me, I decided to update the blog. I just never know what to post. We aren't that exciting.

We did a lot this summer; especially in our yard. Joe's family helped us put in a sprinkler system in our backyard and we got our fence put up. Here's some pictures. We love it! Xander especially!

Joe has put in a lot of time. I really appreciate his hard work. He also put seed in and built a brick wall in our front yard around the flower bed.

We also went to Ouray Colorado with Joe's whole extended family. Here are some pics:

I think Roper and I stick out like a sore thumb with our blonde hair. I looks like he should be our child. :)

After putting soil in our yard a few weeks ago, one of Joe's co-workers invited us to go boating with him at Utah Lake. Here's pics of Joe water skiing. He did really well considering that we rarely go boating. It was a fun; quick activity.

We also went camping with my family up near Kamas, UT. For some reason I do not have any pictures of it. :(

This last weekend, Joe let me get away with some ladies from work and we went to Las Vegas. We enjoyed plenty of shopping the show "O" at the Bellagio. It was a lot of fun!

I also recently started grooming Xander's hair by myself. Here is a picture of how he turned out today.

Fun In The Yard

We are experiencing the joys of owning a home and the many projects there are to do. This weekend, Joe and I built a retaining wall in our backyard in preparation of putting a fence in. It's going to be walkway from the side of our garage into the backyard.

Here are the pictures as we went:



Before

After

Other than do the retaining wall, we just enjoyed both being off of work for a couple of days. I had to work on the night of the fourth. The joys of healthcare. It was busy!!! Only one burn though from fireworks. During the day we had a barbeque with our neighbors and enjoyd mini-golf and go- carts with my sister Carrie.

To Sammy

SAMMY

On our way home from Joe's Valley this last Monday, I had a message to call my parents. They told me that my childhood dog Sammy was not doing very well. He was 14 years old and suddenly couldn't walk much. His hind legs gave out and my parents were having to carry him outside frequently so that he could go the bathroom. They told me there probably wasn't much time left. So, Joe and I rushed home and went to see Sammy one last time. Even though he could barely scoot around, he still welcomed me with joy and comforted all of us while we watched him and cried. Shortly thereafter, my parents decided to put him down. It's a dreadful decision. Those of you who are dog lovers, I'm sure you understand how difficult and heart-wrenching this is.

Sammy was a part of our family and was a great buddy to me while growing up. I have so many fond memories of Sam. I will never forget how devoted he was to me after I had knee surgery. He would lay by me each day and somehow was so careful not to jump on me, or hurt me. He always knew when one of us was hurt or sad. This never went away up to the day he died.

Around Christmas time is when Sam's personality would shine. I've enclosed pictures of him jumping out of boxes, opening his own presents, and being the center of attention.

I am so grateful to Heavenly Father that he sends down these special creatures to be a part of our lives. They are so loyal and give you unconditional love.

I love you Sammy!! Your memories will always be a bright high-light in my life.

Fun Weekend

This last weekend we went to Joe's Valley Resevoir where Joe's family have a cabin. We go up there every Memorial Weekend and fix the fence around their property. This year there wasn't a whole lot of fence fixing due to the rainy weather. But we still had fun 4-wheeling and shooting skeet. Here are some pictures.

April Fun

Well, I made it to 25! I think I'm getting old, but then I get out in the real world; I'm just a baby. The positive note is I can now rent a car without any penalty fees! Woo Hoo!! I'm going to get right on that. :) It was fun to have lunch with Joe's parents on Saturday and then we went over to my parents yesterday to celebrate. I am sick with a cold, so I wasn't the most exciting to party with. But I love my family and spending time with them. Thanks for the gifts!

I am now a proud owner of an iPod touch. I'm excited for audio books and lots of music!! Any suggestions of good songs, albums, or books??

One of our friends asked for more pictures of Xander, because he's the coolest dog ever! So here you go Zoe; enjoy:) I tried to make him do tricks; all I got was a handshake. But that's pretty good!