Meet Pippa!

Meet the newest member of our family!  Her name is Pippa!

The girls have been begging us for a dog for as long as they could speak to ask for one.  We have always said no.  Aaron and I know what to expect with a puppy and how time consuming (not to mention how expensive) puppies are.  Yes, they are cute and sweet but they also require being potty trained, your full attention, food, baths, vet visits, etc.

So what did we do?  We got a puppy!  Not just any puppy but a Boston Terrier.  My favorite dog!  My family had Boston Terriers as we were growing up and loved them.  They were the best dogs :)

How did this happen?  Well, my Mother-in-law had to have her dog put to sleep a couple of weeks ago (he had a massive tumor which was blocking his bowls), so of course the girls were asking her if she was going to get another dog, she said maybe . . . we started looking at puppy pictures and it went downhill from there. 

After a lot of research - cause you have to be picky when choosing a family pet - I found our girl!  We surprised the girls last night and told them that we were going to go see a puppy and MAYBE bring her home with us.  You should have heard the screams and squeals and giggles!  There may have even been some tears.

We made the trip to get our puppy last night.  I really think she liked us as soon as she saw us, too!  So we took her home :)

The conversation in the car on the drive home went little like this:

oh, she's so cute

look at her face

what are we going to name her?

how about (insert very name you could possibly think of here)

aw, she's so cute

look at her face

what are we going to name her?

and so on.  

We probably suggested about 120 names between us 4 and my sister and her husband  (we were texting back and forth).  And finally settled on Pippa thanks to Aaron's suggestion.  It just felt like it fit as soon as he said it.  Can you guess where that name came from?  

On the way home we stopped at Petsmart to stock up on puppy supplies.  Cause we had nothing.  Nada.  I did purchase a crate earlier in the day so she could have a safe trip home but ended up holding her in my lap anyway.  She was scared, what can I say?

The girls are quickly learning that this puppy thing is no joke!  I was pleased with our experience with Petsmart.  We were greeted by a very helpful young lady named Kayla.  She helped us with food, treats, a collar and leash, pee pee pads, bowls, and toys.  And then we checked out.  Jeez.

When we got home, Pippa did a little exploring, and little eating, and a little pooping.  She seemed happy and full of energy (I was thinking, great - I'm so tired and this dog is nowhere ready to go to sleep).  She seemed just liked she belonged here.

Aaron stayed up with her until 11:00 then put her in her crate to sleep.  She cried for about 20 minutes then I didn't hear anything else from her until around 5:00 this morning.  I heard her moving around so I went ahead and got up before she started crying.  She was happy to see me and promptly peed and pooped - on a pee pee pad PTL!  OK, I had to run behind her to catch the poop on the pee pee pad.  TMI, I know but the point is, it didn't hit the floor!

The girls and I took her to the vet this morning - another lesson in puppy care expense for the girls!  The vet gave her a great report on her health and everything else!   The vet was great, as were all the staff there, and answered every question I had.  He said she could make quick trips outside to potty then straight back in.  We do put her collar on her when she goes out with the leash attached but without it being held so she can get used to it.  She doesn't care for her collar and scratches at it.  I don't know what she thinks about the leash . . .

 Adrianna had a soccer game this morning so before we left she made a quick trip outside and did all her business there. YAY!  Then we crated her and went to the game.  She was happy to see us when we got home and we made another trip outside and she took care of business again!  I'm probably jinxing myself but she's been really good about using the potty outside.

Pippa has a great personality and we think it fits her!  Already she is responding to her name!  She's spunky and friendly and will lick the bejesus out of ya.  She is so sweet and already likes to cuddle and lay in your lap.  And she already has Aaron wrapped around her little paw :)

 WELCOME HOME PIPPA!

Natalie

Girls Morning Out

 This morning I took the girls to the farmers market . . .

  They were fascinated with all the varieties of tomatoes

 

 We bought some of these Fairy Tale Eggplants

 

Adrianna couldn't wait to snack on some baby bell peppers

  The girls each got a Sunflower

 We took a break for some fresh lemonade and a cinnamon roll

 The girls enjoyed getting samples of breads, honey, veggies and fruits at some of the stands

 What we took home . . . sunflowers, fairy tale eggplant, sungold tomatoes, and baby bell peppers

 Aren't these so cute?  We came home and roasted some eggplant with squash and onion and snacked on the tomatoes and peppers with hummus.  Yum!

The girls loved the farmers market and are asking to go back next weekend. 

Natalie

A week ago . . .

Ava was just getting back from camp.  My sister's husband is a pastor at their church and he took the youth.  We thought this would be a great opportunity for Ava to go to camp and have an adult family member with her.  That way we didn't worry as much she would feel more comfortable being away from home.  While they went to camp, Adrianna was with my Mom visiting my sister for the week.  I missed them so much! 

Aaron and I were able to catch up on some movies and TV shows that we don't watch when the kids are around and I got to spend some time in my craft room :)

Pillowcase with crocheted trim

I stopped by the Hospice flea market one afternoon. . .

Got a red Pyrex bowl, mini salad spinner (Yay!!) and a teacup.  Not sure why I bought the teacup but it was only 50 cent.  The salad spinner was $2.00!  I couldn't believe it.  I had just told Aaron I would like to have one.  And I can't remember what I paid for the Pyrex bowl. . .

Adrianna came home the day before Ava did . . .

She had so much fun with my Mom and sister but she was glad to be home.  My Mom brought her to me at work and she jumped in my arms and gave me the biggest hug when she saw me. 

My neighbor shared some squash, cucumbers and tomatoes from her garden with us that evening.  She let Adrianna pick the cucumbers.

Adrianna and I had a lunch date with while we were waiting on Ava to get home that Friday.

Ava had tons of fun at camp!  I was worried about her going and she did have a moment of homesickness before she actually got to camp but quickly got over it when camp actually started.  She had a blast!

But she was really tired when she got home!

This past weekend we decided we would take the girls bowling and let them use some of their free bowling passes they earned at school.

We really should go more often!

It was kinda late when we went . . . Ava was tired

I took the girls to the fireworks Wednesday night.  The Mr. had to work so he missed it.  We decorated our own 4th of July t-shirts the night before.  You can see them in this post.  I didn't want to fight the crowd and traffic at the Arts Center where the fireworks were going to be so we did the same thing as last year and found a good spot in a parking lot close by, set up our chairs, and enjoyed the show from there.  Then we packed it up as fast as we could and high tailed it outta there and beat all the traffic leaving!  Yay!

Today the girls and I spent 5 hours shopping.  Not sure how that happened and we didn't even get much.  But we rewarded ourselves with a Mocha Coconut Frappuccino from Starbucks while we were in Barnes and Noble.

Anyway, that's what's been going on in my (instagram) life!

I still need to blog about what I did for my birthday!  I'll get to it!

Natalie

This Land Was Made for You and Me

Ah, the 4th of July.  Independence Day.  The day we, Americans, celebrate our Independence.  And how do we do this?  With picnics, cookouts, family gatherings, parties, and playing outside (so long as the weather isn't scorching).  The day where Americans stuff their faces with hotdogs, hamburgers, baked beans, potato salads, corn on the cob, watermelons, and homemade ice cream all in the name of freedom!  The day where, sparklers, parades, desserts, patriotic crafts made by kids, and homes and stores are adorned in colors of red, white, and blue are all part of our prideful celebration.  The stars and stripes of the American flag are everywhere!

We watch wonderful displays of fireworks and "oooh" and "ahhh" in fascination as the beautiful lights dance in the sky.  There is something about the patriotic songs mixed with the display of fireworks that brings tears to Americans eyes as they reflect on the country they love so much.

I'm not sure how this full feeling of pride comes about in Americans.  Is it the history behind what our ancestors set out to achieve, the fact that brave men and women still fight in honor of our country, or is it because we are brought up with these traditions?  Or could it be that it's something we are born with?  I don't know.

I usually buy the girls a fun 4th of July type shirt every year.  I have to buy one every year because Ava grows out of hers each year and Adrianna feels left out if I get Ava something and not her.  Anyway, this year I decided we would make our own fun 4th t-shirts!  I bought a couple of cheap t's for the girls at Old Navy and some fabric pens and let the girls do what they wanted.

Ava loves peace signs so I described a shirt I saw at Old Navy and helped her design her shirt.  Adrianna wanted something with a flower (of course) so I made an iron on transfer for her so she could color in her design.  I think they turned out great!

In case you are wondering . . . here's how we did it.

For this project you will need:
a plain white t-shirt
fabric pens or fabric paint
cardboard
(I used electrical tape to make the peace sign outline on Ava's shirt)

put a piece of cardboard inside your t-shirt before you start so the paint doesn't go through to the back

I used electrical tape to make the outline of the peace sign

Ava's started filling in her flag design from the bottom up and go a little off course.  The flag was supposed to stop at the bottom of the peace sign but we ended up having to fudge it a little to make the circle turn out right.  The middle line should have continued straight through to the bottom of the circle.  Oh well, it looks great anyway!

Ava's shirt

Adrianna's shirt

Let the shirts dry over night and you're good to go!

I opted to go with a simple bleach pen design of fireworks on my red t-shirt.  I bought a new red shirt at Old Navy, because it was cheap, and used a bleach pens to draw my design.  I put a piece of cardboard under the top of my shirt so the bleach wouldn't run through.  I left the bleach on the shirt for about 20 minutes but I don't think it bleached it out enough.  In retrospect, I should've washed my shirt a couple of times first because I read that newer shirts that haven't been washed won't bleach as well.  Since I bought the shirt yesterday, there wasn't time to wash it a few times and dry it.  I also read not to leave the bleach on for too long as the bleach would eat through the fabric.  Eek!  I didn't want holes in my shirt so I washed it out after 20 minutes.  There's always next year!!

photo credits go to Ava for these two pics!

We'll wear our new shirts tonight when we go watch the fireworks!

To all the men and women who have served or are serving in the Armed Forces and their families, thank you!  Without your sacrifices, we could not celebrate our freedom and this great country we live in!

I'll leave you with a little piece of history . . .

In a letter form John Adams to his wife Abigail:
"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

[July 2 was the day that the Continental Congress had voted in favor of independence.  July 4th was when the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted.]

I think we, as Americans, have upheld the expectations of John Adams.

I hope everyone has a safe and fun day!  Happy 4th y'all!!

Natalie

P.S. - Google prompted the title for this post.  Check it out ;)

Vacation!!! - part 2

 I wish I was still here . . .

Alas, I am back in the real world and I can't complain!  I do love being home :)  It's nice that we live between the beach and the mountains.  We don't have to drive very far to get to either of them.

Random thought about my last post . . . I know that when I take pictures of my kids and family when we are at the beach, or anywhere really, that there will be times when other people that I don't know will be in my pictures.  I just want to say that if you are those other people that are in my pictures, I apologize!  I also want to say that I realize I am probably in beach pictures that other people take and I would also like to apologize for that.  I would hate for anyone that have a picture of me in a bathing suit.  Jeez.

Moving on!

Beautiful NC mountains

For for part 2 of our vacation, we went to Tweetsie Railroad.  It was so much fun!  My parents took me and my sister to Tweetise a few times when we were little and I couldn't wait to share the experience with my girls.  We had perfect weather for our visit!

The first thing I wanted to do was to make sure I got a picture of them sitting on these "horses".  Somewhere, in my Mom's house, there is a picture of me and my sister on these same two horses!  I have got to find that picture and when I do, you best believe I'm scanning it and putting it on my blog!!!

There are things like this Teepee and wagon all around the park that you can get in and pose for pictures :)  You know the momarazzi has to have tons of photo ops!

We took the chair lift to Miner's Mountain . . .

Me and Adrianna!  See Aaron and Ava in the chair behind us?

It doesn't look like it's so far up but it in some places it is!  Adrianna rode with me the first time and I'm surprised she didn't puke as hard as I had my arm pressing across her body - in fear that she would slip out of the chair.

At the top of Miner's Mountain you can pan for gold or gems . . .

 

 And feed the Goats, Deer, Emu, Llamas, Burrows, Miniature Horses and Pot Bellied Pigs at Deer Park. . .

 

Even Aaron had fun feeding the animals :)  The baby Pygmy Goats were out of the fences and ran right up to you as soon as you walked in.  Soon we had a following of little goats trailing behind us.
The little Pygmy goat in the picture above stuck with me for a little bit.  I think he just wanted his picture taken.  I was surprised that it took Adrianna, our animal lover, a while to warm up to actually feeding the goats.  She would hold her hand out then snatch it back as soon as the goats would come up.  Finally, she let them eat out of her hand and realized it wasn't that bad!

After we left the Deer Park we rode the Mouse Train.  The Mouse Train takes you on a short trip around Miner's Mountain and through the Cheese Mine where you see some Mice mining cheese . . .  Well, my girls were entertained more by the black light in the tunnel than the singing mice. 

Adrianna even took her shoes off so we could see her socks "glow".

There were some other rides on Miner's Mountain that the kids weren't interested in riding so we made our way back down to the Country Fair.

The girls rode the Carousel.  I have to say that the Carousel at Burlington City Park in still me favorite Carousel ever.  I could be a little partial, though.

I faced a fear of mine and rode my first Ferris Wheel!!  In Adrianna's words I was skerd!! 

Ava rode with Aaron and Adrianna rode with me.  I had my hand on her little leg in a death grip about the whole time.  I'm not sure if it was because I felt like she was safer and wouldn't fall out if I held onto her or if it was because of my fear of being on that swinging contraption so high up in the air. 

I was really worried that Ava would be scared and freak out during the Ferris wheel ride but she did great and wanted to ride again! 

Bumper cars were up next!  They weren't actually "bumper cars" I guess.  You just drove around a one lane track.  No bumping.  Unless you count when we were parking, the girl behind us rammed into us so hard that our heads snapped back and the attendant came to check to see if we were OK.  That was a bump.

Ava rode with me and Adrianna rode with Aaron. . .

That's Aaron and Adrianna in front of us!

 I let Ava steer . . .

 The girl cannot drive straight! 

 Next up was a ride on the big train!

If you go to Tweetsie, watch where you stand and which way the wind blows when the train is passing by!  You will get soot from the coal-fired steam engine on you.  Well, you'll probably get a little on you when you ride the train,  so just expect it!

While we were waiting for the next train the girls took the opportunity to pose in a few more of the wagons and on some more horses . . .

 Oh yeah, we put the kids in jail.  A few times . . .

I took a lot of pictures in the train ride but I won't bore you with all of those!  Here are just a few.  The train ride is actually a little western adventure complete with Cowboys, Indians, and train robbers.  It's a really fun show that they do with a lot of humor but the guns are kinda loud. 

Oh yeah, real horses :)  Adrianna loved that part!

After the train ride we saw a show at the Palace with the Can-Can dancers.  It was really cute.  They sang and danced.  I didn't get very good pictures because all I had with me was my iPhone. 

Ignore the blur and this man's head . . .

Adrianna cleaned up the feathers on the floor from the dancers feather boas that they danced with:)  After the show, the Can-Can girls posed for a picture with Ava and Adrianna.

We met up with some friends of ours to ride some more rides.  Aaron and Adrianna rode the Tilt-a-whirl with them.  Ava was going to ride but decided at the last minute that she didn't want to.  She doesn't do so well on those types of rides.  I don't either.  Everyone enjoyed the ride and lined up to do it again.  After Ava saw how much fun they had she decided she would ride.  She loved it!  I have no idea why I don't have those pictures but for some reason I can't find them.  I know I took several!

Aaron wanted me to ride this thing with him.  The Round-up.  It starts off flat then starts spinning around and raises up.  Yeah, right.   Never fear, he was able to ride with our friend that we were hanging out with!

We rode the train again for the last ride of the day.  This time the "show" was a little different.  As we were boarding the train there was quite a commotion out on the main street.  An Indian stole one of the Can-Can girls and the Cowboys hopped on the train with us to go save her!

Needless to say, the Cowboys saved the day and rescued the Can-Can dancer. 

This Cowboy ripped the seam of his pants!  Totally not in the script!  It was really funny and he was very good natured about it and covered it well - I don't think anyone saw anything untoward except his cowboy friend who realized the mishap.  Afterwards at the Sunset show, where several entertainers and the Can-Can girls do one last performance, this cowboy was spotted wearing a pair of one of the  Can-Can dancers' bloomers over his ripped pants.  It was funny for the people who were on that last train ride!

We had a blast at Tweetsie Railroad!  I can't wait to go back next year :)  After we left, we went to dinner with our friends then hit the rode for the ride back home.

Here are a few more instagram and picframe pics . . .

The kids are in jail again!

OK, so I was able to fulfill a childhood dream . . . I know it sounds silly but I have always wanted to have one of these old timey photos made!  So we did!  Well, the girls and I did.  Aaron wouldn't do it.  Ever since I was little, I wanted to be a saloon girl (not a real one!) in one of these photos.  The girls wanted to be Indians so I was an Indian, too!  Sorry for the horrible photo of the photo!

Next time, Aaron is going to be in the picture, too.  Yes, there will be a next time!

Well, I hope you enjoyed my vacation pics! 


Natalie

The pictures in this post we all taken with my iPhone.