Video Game System Envy

My boys have the video game envy...not me. They would love to have a wii & xbox 360. Billy & Ricky are currently pinching pennies trying to save enough to buy themselves a system.
There are so many neat games out there. I hear about Super Smash Bros Brawl from Billy. Ricky is really interested in Guitar Hero. They went to their friend Levi's birthday party & there we found out about the Christian version of Guitar Hero called Guitar Praise, pretty cool stuff.
However I really want them to buy this themselves. Its a big investment & they really want it. They will pay for it & take care of it in turn. Well that is the plan anyway. Of course when even their grandparents have a wii it causes me to have to swim up stream on the whole issue!

California Trippin'

Okay so I have this corky part of my personality. Yeah, yeah I can hear the jokes already. Anyway! I have a notebook separated by counties of California. Why? I make notes as we are traveling. I take flyers, I listen to what people say, I read magazines, books etc.. all to gain a little more knowledge about our state. I suppose I could sell it....really. I have hikes, camps, national, state & regional parks. I have family fun activities. I have all kinds of stuff. When I get new info I bring it home & throw it in a shoebox. Eventually I have time to check things out in more detail. When I do, I add those entries to my notebook. Insane? Yeah, maybe. But you know what they say, insanity runs in my family, well it gallops really.

Fun times with Garage Band

Billy & Ricky were part of a group who took a class at the Apple store in Fashion Fair. They were taught how to use the program Garage Band. They received a certificate of participation, a tee shirt & a CD of the music they created. The best part is that it was all free. Go Apple! I'm sure you can guess that this program is going to be used quit a bit in this household now!

Busy days

The boys have been more busy than me. I have been cherishing some longed for time alone. I just wish I could have the time & not be sick. I certainly would be able to enjoy it more!!

Billy sorted & bagged beans while Ricky loaded & carried boxes of food items to crates at the Fresno Food Bank. They were both on a team of teens helping to design a teeshirt for the Fresno Rescue Missions new Teen Volunteer Program.

Both Boys have been taking Contra Dance lesson in preparation for the Civil War Ball this spring. Billy has been taking a series of classes at the Fresno School of Missions (an African praise & worship drumming class dealing with the book of Psalms)

Ricky has been playing Flag Football & Soccer at CHEFA's Sports Saturdays.

Although I like my peaceful lonesome time. It is great that we have kids that still want to be with us. Jeff & I both know we don't get to have them for too many more years. So we like to do something special just the four of us from time to time. Recently we went to the Corn Field Maze & out to dinner at Applebees afterward. We laughed a lot & had a really great time.

Believe it or not we actually canceled a lot of events this month due to sickness. We have never been this sick as a family. We are FINALLY feeling sooo much better! Heres to better health in November.

Today I had the Boys get out their travel book/memory book, oh whatever you want to call it! We haven't spent much time on these books lately. We were able to update them, well the written part anyway. I need to print a bunch of photos for each boy & then we will be caught up. hmmm, well until the next event away!

A-Z+J+C+B+R

Okay so we decided to try this activity. Each of us wrote what we first thought of, for each letter of the alphabet. Its supposed to represent who you are. We tested our friends to see if they could figure it out. Here are our results. How well do you know us?

A-Adventurous
B-Bungee Jumping
C-Chin Ups
D-David
E-Eddy
F-Father
G-God
H-"Hi!"
I-Ikkyowaza
J-Jeremiah was a Bullfrog....
K-Kite Surfing
L-Loco (as in the crazy chicken)
M-Martial Arts
N-Never Give Up
O-"Oh My Gosh, Becky"
P-Push Ups
Q-Quack
R-Rhode Island
S-Sweet Tea
T-Tap Out
U-"Ussins"
V-Vincent
W-Warriors
X-X-Men
Y-Yellow
Z-Zorro

A-All In
B-Billy
C-Charity Anne
D-Down by the Bay....
E-Eric
F-Fun Times
G-Gone on a Trip
H-Hallelujah
I-Ikkyowaza
J-Jesus (With hands Raised)
K-King of Kings
L-Lassen Volcano Park
M-Martial Arts
N-Nikkyowaza
O-Ocean Breeze
P-Penobscot Bay
Q-Queen of my Heart
R-Robertitos
S-Sancification
T-Training
U-Unity
V-Vincent'e
W-Window Licker
X-X Throw
Y-Yahweh
Z-Zion

A-Ambidextrous
B-Blazing Skies
C-Colorful Scenery
D-Davith
E-Everyday Wonders
F-Flap Jacks
G-Georgia Sweet Tea
H-Have at Thee!
I-Incredible
J-Just Hangin'
K-Kenya
L-Lupine
M-Mama
N-New England
O-Oceanic Currents
P-Platypus
Q-Quagmire (Old English Swamp)
R-Rio Grande
S-Serengeti
T-Tapioca
U-Utopia
V-Vanguard
W-Westfold
X-X Marks the Spot
Y-Yeller
Z-Zephyr Cove

A-Adventuring
B-Billy
C-Casa de Fruita Coffee & Chocolate
D-Dancing in the Rain
E-Enchanting
F-Family
G-Genuine
H-Hey, That's my Chicken .......
I-International Pajama Day- Go Ceci!
J-Jeffrey
K-Kittens
L-Laughter
M-Mexican Food
N-Next Stop?
O-Oh Give Me a Home Where the Buffalo Roam.......
P-Periwinkle & Belly Button
Q-Quaint
R-Ricky
S-Snowflakes aggghh Serenity
T-Traveling with Teens
U-Up Up Under the Umbrella its Starting to Rain...........
V-Variety
W-Wandering in the Woods
X-Xavier Aldo Rufus
Y-Yellow Flowers
Z-Zoom (the cereal not the show)

love expands

Sweeter than Sugar
My little baby, little boy blue,
Is as sweet as sugar and cinnamon too;
Isn't this precious darling of ours
Sweeter than dates and cinnamon flowers?
-Author unknown

Welcome to the family baby cousin, Joshua Collin.

....and day 4

Jeff & I tiptoed out real early to watch the sunrise while the boys slept. Then it was eat, tear down, pack up & leave.
We stopped at Hoover Dam. We took a picture of each boy standing on the Nevada /Arizona border.
Then we drove to Las Vegas & cruised the strip. The boys wanted to know about the wedding chapels everywhere. They loved all the architecture. They recognized many of the buildings from movie scenes.
We dropped CJ off at 10:30 & were home by 12:30 in bed by 1:00.

"Thank goodness I was never sent to school, 

it would have rubbed off some of the originality"

-Beatrix Potter

Day 3

Today was our hard core hike day! We got up, ate, packed & went. Our 1st & only ranger led hike was to a marine fossil site behind Bright Angel Lodge (very cool). We continued hiking up that side of the rim as far as we could ( the road was closed do to construction).
Then we went to the other part of the South Rim and hiked a very strenuous "trail".
We then got in the car for some sit down time & drove to the East Rim. We visited Indian Ruins, The Look out Tower, & Many Vista Points. We saw a coyote who was stopping traffic.
In the car we went, back to the South Rim. We hiked a ways down into the canyon. We ate our dinner there, watching the sunset. Then it was back to camp for cocoa & smores (do they ever tire of these?)

Day 2

We tried to sleep in, but had a crew of ravens flying over our tents. So we got up, made coffee, cocoa & oatmeal. I packed lunches & lots of water. We cleaned up & we didn't see our campsite again until evening.
We explored the middle section of the South Rim today. Lots of window shopping took place also. Billy & Ricky got metal badges for their hiking sticks. They collect one from each National Park we hike in. CJ found his treasure at the last store we went to, it was a Christian store, so we were glad to support them.
Our first view of the Canyon was absolutely incredible. No photo we took did justice in showing the Canyons color, width or depth. Even the boys were frozen in awe. It is truly a contemplative place.
We took advantage of the free shuttle bus to take us to each new area we wanted to explore. Because we got to the park too late for the entry booth to be open we weren't given a map. We just went where our fancy led. We had a relaxing day-really. We walked a lot, but it wasn't hard.
We listened, shortly, to a free concert. We toured historic buildings, art galleries & museums.
The really wacked out, completely strange thing that happened was the weather! It was humid & muggy-hot & yucky!! That is, except for one spot. We could see this black rain cloud from a long way off. It didn't move, the way clouds seem to as you draw close to them. The closer we got, the closer we were, period. As we finally reached the cloud we realized it was hailing. Big , hard hail balls! We could see all around us. Outside of the clouds cover the dirt was dry. The rocks were dry. The sidewalk was dry. As surely as it stayed put before our arrival, it did the same as we departed. We turned around in absolute confusion. We starred in utter disbelief at the scene before us.
We went back to our camp & we were greeted by a family of Elk. mama's, babies & even daddy-o. They were all very willing to participate in a photo shoot. We grabbed dinner, smores & cocoa as we watched the stars come out over the canyon.

Grand Canyon Road Trip day 1

We started out the door at 6:00 in the morning. So you know that means Jeff & I were up at 5:00. Basically the boys hit the bathroom & went back to a zombie state in the car. I had packed breakfast & lunch for everyone the night before. As each boy came to, I gave him breakfast. They were numbed out watching movies until around noon. Jeff & I enjoyed watching the sunrise.
We stopped at Calico Ghost Town . We used this spot to have a picnic lunch. We took a tour of the Maggie Gold Mine. We did the hike around the town & up into the outskirt hillsides. The kids did some window shopping as well.
When we got back in the car it was school time! Jenny sent what she wanted CJ to do. Billy & Ricky had their assignments as well.
We stopped in Baker for Gas, drinks etc. The biggest reason for this stop was to get a picture of the worlds largest thermometer. At one stop CJ & Ricky found Scorpion lolypops. I really thought Ricky would buy one, but he didn't.
We saw the most beautiful rainbow just before sunset. It was a double rainbow! We saw it stretch before us, the whole bow. It beheld the most brilliant color scheme. Each of the colors of the spectrum were more vividly displayed then any of us had ever seen!!
We made a quick stop in the historical "route 66" town of Williams Arizona. The boys got a kick out of all the neon lights & crazy designs. As a matter of fact we talked about architecture from that era all through out the day. The interesting pendulum of the stone age & the space age in simultaneous existence.
We arrived to our beautiful wooded campsite at around 8:30 that evening. We quickly set up tents, made a fire, made & ate dinner....& smores & we were off to bed.

"I have never let my schooling interfere with my

education"

-Mark Twain

etc... etc... etc...

I have finally (I'm a bad person) sent Melissa (my sister-who asked me over a month ago) the answers to the questions for her magazine on decorating.

Melissa if you read this blog, its in print. I'm sorry.

If you look at the dates on this blog,you'll see two things.
#1 I wasn't here much last month.
#2 I have been trying to play catch up.

Our month was crazy!
-We started off with really bad colds-all 4 of us. Yes I mean we started the school year-the 1st week of school sick.
-We were waiting on Billy's stinkin' math curriculum to show up, which by the way, was ordered in plenty of time to be here before school started. Due to a lazy staff, terrible company service & an unsatisfactory product we have been fighting with that situation all month long. So he is now a month behind in math.
-We have been house training a puppy.
-Ricky has wounded every part of his body (just kidding) But he has had a sprained thumb, some how managed to get cuts on his feet, hands, arms & legs (not all at the same time-but like a constant trickle). He had a huge scratch from an industrial strength tape dispenser right across his face-don't bother asking....
-Ricky's sprain caused us to lose some school work time. He wasn't writing anything for two weeks. He did read ahead over a month in his reading assignments, so that should help some. But writing is physically hard for him-this has been a challenge.
-For some wacky reason we decided to take a vacation to the Grand Canyon (more on that later) in the middle of all this drama.
-We have been surrounded by sorrowful news of marriages ending & little children in hospitals. Bad news seems to come in waves. When it rolls around, I get to the point that I don't want to answer the phone or read my email.

All this while trying to establish ourselves in our new school year. Ricky new to Jr. High & Billy new to High School.

I had my melt down this last weekend & now I'm doing much better. I have just pressed send on my responses to Melissa's questions. My house looks like someone cares. I have exhaled.

The 1st week of school

Monday~Traditional 1st day back gifts & Breakfast
Peddlers Faire
Hoe Down
Wednesday~Youth Group had a Movie Night
Friday~Contra Dance
Swim Party/BBQ/Volleyball
Saturday~Hike Fresno Dome & Picnic
Sunday~Laser Quest

Here's to many more fun times!!

What do you eat for breakfast?

I was asked this question not that long ago. I had to stop & think, what do we eat for breakfast? To be honest, if it were up to me, we would have cold cereal every single day all year long. I am just lazy in the morning. I'm not ashamed, I admit it. Even if we aren't going somewhere, even if were not in school, I just don't wanna!
In the colder months we are more likely to eat Cream of Wheat or Malt-o-meal, made with milk. Grits with salt, butter & bacon. Oatmeal with...... you name it. I really don't know why we aren't creative with the other three choices but with Oatmeal we are. Applesauce & Raisins, Apricots & Honey, Maple Syrup & Cranberries, Brown Sugar & Butter etc....
We also use a lot of leftover meats such as ground beef, chicken, steak or turkey in Breakfast Burritos, Omeletes, Breakfast Casseroles, Breakfast Skillet Meals or Breakfast Pizzas. We make "Mc Vincents" with leftover hamburger patties & whatever bread substance we have laying around. Be it Toast, English Muffin, Croissant, Bagel its all good! We like leftover Salmon with Cream Cheese on some sort of Carb as well.
When we need to clear the fridge from a bunch of fruit that needs to be eaten NOW we make Smoothies, Breakfast Parfaits or just plain old Fruit Salad.
All three guys like Peanut Butter Toast or Peanut Butter & Butter in a rolled up Tortilla. If I do Peanut Butter I prefer Elvis Toast.
My boys like to make Pancakes, Muffins or Waffles. "The works" is also high in demand. You know Bacon or Sausage, Eggs with or without Chorizo, Hash Browns etc... Sometimes I do allow that level of a mess. Even I, at times, have a craving for Biscuits & Gravy, Country Fried Potatos, Scrambled Eggs stuffed into a over sized soft Dinner Roll or Tostaditas y Huevos.
We have traditions as well. For back to school, 100th day of school, camping, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Birthdays etc...
Well I'd really rather everyone have a Bowl of Cereal. Rinse their bowl, put it in the dish washer & walk away!
But I guess that would just be too boring.

Girls in White Dresses........

.....with Blue Satin Sashes. Snow Flakes that stay on my Nose & Eyelashes. Silver White Winters that Melt in Spring. These are a few of my Favorite things.

I Just Love The Sound of Music! I Used to Watch it with My Mom & Sisters Every Year. Now I Make My Family Watch it Too!

These are a Few of my Favorite Things!

~Babies Fresh From a Bath in Terry Cloth PJ's
~Baby Animals (Even the Baby Rhino we saw at the San Diego Wild Animal Park was Cute!)
~Ice Cold Sweet Tea
~A Clean House
~Walking Barefoot on Lush Green Grass
~Beautiful Sunrises & Sunsets (My favorite time of day is dusk. These Hills look Golden, not Burnt!)
~Fresh Snow on Tree Branches & Wooden Fences
~The Sound of Laughter (A Babies Giggle, Smiles on my Whole Family)
~Big Fluffy Clouds
~Watching Water Glisten on a Lake or on the Sea.
~Mexican Food
~The Freedoms Being American Offers Me (Homeschooling, Attending the Church I choose & Eating whenever I want to)

Try to be Thankful Today! Shower your loved ones with Affection. Let down your Guard. Find Joy!

Tantilizing Creativity

My family loves Ice Cream! Jeff, who really doesn't dig the whole sweets thing even loves Ice Cream. We all have our favorites. Jeff loves Mint Chocolate Chip. Billy keeps things simple with French Vanilla. Ricky loves CHOCOLATE, but will eat just about any type...he's a team player! That is until I come around. "I like experimenting, but you push the limit too far", says Ricky. This coming from a kid who ate a Chocolate-Covered Cricket!!! I like fresh & exciting flavors! I love Jalapeno's mixed with berries cut into rich French Vanilla. I've been dying to try Gilroy's famous Garlic Ice Cream. My latest craving is for Olive Oil & Sea Salt Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. All I have to say is don't judge a book by its cover! I have experienced many wonderful concoctions with flavors I would never dream of pairing up....but it works!

7th & 9th Grades yikes!!!

Ricky (7th Grade)
English-Building Securely-Rod & Staff (Includes Compositions)

Math-Horizons Mathematics

Science-General Science-Apologia

History-Streams of Civilization #1 (Incorporating Narration & Dictation)

Literature-List of Reader (Incorporating Narration & Dictation)

Pre-Logic-The Fallacy Detective
-The Thinking Tool Box
-The 5 Minute Mystery Series

Aesthetics
-Private Guitar Lessons
-Music Ace Deluxe
-Guitar Videos, Cd's & Books
-Private Key Instrument Lessons

Spelling-Sequential Spelling

Copy Work/Penmanship-Spencerian Penmanship
-Copy Books -Memoria Press

(P.E. , Homeschool Style @ June Lake)



Billy (9th Grade)
Spanish-Rosetta Stone Year 1

Math-Harold Jacobs Algebra

Composition- Jump In-Apologia

Science-Biology-Apologia

History, Literature & Theology-Omnibus (Ancient & Biblical Civilizations)-Veritas Press

Logic-Intermediate Logic-Cannon Press

Aesthetics
-The Bembe Worship Project (Christian Preforming Group/World Percussion)
-CCBC Worship Team

Penmanship-Spencerian Penmanship
-Classically Cursive

(History, Homeschool style)

Both R & B
P.E.
-Chitudo (Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, Escrima & Ju Jitsu)
-Trails (Geocaching)
-Hike (Sierra Nevada Live Club)
-Swim
-Snow Board
-Trampolene
-Boogie Board
-Rock Climb
-Yard Care
-Mountain Bike
-Skate Board
-Cal. Arts Dance Lessons
Etc Etc Etc..........................................

Aesthetics
-Cooking -List of 25 Recipes each picked out
-List of Holiday Favorites
-Weekly Bread Making
-Learning to make Knots, Bends & Hitches
-Drawing-List of "How to Draw..." books
-Concerts (Orchestra, Symphony, Jazz Bands, Ethnic Celebrations & Favorite Bands)
-Plays, Operas, Art Museums
-General Photography (including contest entry)
-Wood Working-
-Outdoor Bunny Play Yard
-Treehouse Maintenance & Additions
Oral Reading/Presentation -McGuffey's Readers

Science
-Gardening
-List of Books, Videos & TV Shows
-Seminars
-Animal Care
-Nature/Field Studies
-Out door Science Camps
-Zoo Camp
-Museums
-Weather Station, Sundial, Bird Feeders Etc....in Yard

History
-List of Books, Videos & TV Shows
-Museums
-Historical Sites

Volunteer Work
-Aug: Help w/ WGTB
-Sept: Fresno Food Bank
-Oct: Fresno Rescue Mission
-Nov: CCBC & BEST Operation Shoe Box
-Dec: World Impact Christmas Party
-Jan:
-Feb: Fresno Rescue Mission
-March:
-April: Walk for Life (Central Valley Right to Life)
-May:
-June: Teach @ WGTB Camp
-July: Gleanings for the Hungry, Fruit Season

Religious Studies
-CCBC Youth, Morning Service & Sunday School
-Daily Proverb
-Daily Prayer Journal
-Intrduction to Christian Philosophy-Conrad Jarel

Character
-The Peacemaker For Teens-
-Plants Grow Up-Doorposts

(Geology, Homeschool Style @ Grub Gulch Miners Cave)

Calendars

I sit here alone today going through a pile of paper that I have scribbled notes about interesting fieldtrips I'd like to incorporate. I'm trying to wrap my brain around which homeschool group activities I'm going to participate in & which ones I will pass on. I also have community opportunities & family/friend get togethers to consider. I'm scratching my head trying to squeeze as many as is reasonable onto the calendar.

I ask myself "How could anyone in their right mind think these kids wouldn't be socialized"

Isn't it silly that we are questioned on socialization?! I wonder why it is that more people aren't concerned with what our children are learning vs who they play with on a particular day. Not that I want people coming up to me for the purpose of dissecting my curriculum, but I digress.

My list of items I don't want to Homeschool without

1. Bed Chairs
2. Car School Case Organizer
3. Sticky Tabs (Thank you Dori for introducing us)
4. Cell Phone
5. History, Discovery,TLC, HGTV, Food Network etc..
6. Net Flicks
7. A Huge Basket of big pink Erasers & a Box of Yellow #2 pencils
   
8. Big Fat Binders & Lots of Dividers
   
9. Backpack Prepacked for Fieldtrips/Natures Studies (Compass, Clipboard, Binoculars, Travel Easel etc..)
10. Day Planner (For Myself, Each Kid & J)
11. Giant Wall Calendar (For Family Area & J's Office)
12. Lap Desks
13. Support Group & other Mom's to cry/laugh with
    
14. Every Closet, Drawer, Cabinet Organized before the School Year Begins (Each Summer)
15. Membership Fees (& Outside Classes/ Activities) set aside for Fall
16. Curriculum Bought at beginning of Summer to insure time to plan
17. Goals & Attendance Sheets etc...
    
18. Reading, Computer, Audio/Video, Extra Curricular & PE Logs etc...
    
19. All those Printed Punched & inside page protectors & placed in Binders(Thank you Jenny for page protector idea)
20. School Desks Organized
21. Science Experiment Gear Organized
22. Game/Craft Cabinet/Area Organized
23. 4 Electric Pencil Sharpeners (we can't seem to share)
    
24. 3 Hand Held Sharpeners a Piece (Car, Desk & Backpack)
    
25. Camera
26. Slide on Shoes
27. Timers
    
28. Alarm Clock
29. Calendar filled in for the year w/ family vacations already in place
    
30. State Testing Days on the Calendar
31. Quarterly Parent Get Away Planned to Regroup & Discuss Goals( No we don't go out of town. We have someone take our kiddos over night. Even though they don't need sitters any longer, we need focus)
32. File System in Place
33. Report Cards (On Card Stock) Printed
34. Sport Equipment Sizes Updated (Snowboards & Bindings, Mountain Bikes Tuned, River Shoes, Sparing Gear, Gees etc..)
35. School/Year Book Picture Outfit Bought (Hangs in Closet not be touched until picture day)
36. Robes & Ughs & Lots of Hots Drink Choices
    
37. Car Trash Can
38. Car CD & Cassette Player (Lectures on the go)
39. Lunch Box & Backpack for Co-op Days
40. Daily Schedule Decided on.

I'm a Wanna Be ...

Most everyone knows I'd love to live in Maine. Yes, I do know it's cold there. And no, I don't believe it is the one spot not affected by the sin curse. Of course everyone also knows only Jeff has actually stepped foot on Maine soil. Although I really don't see what about that is such a big deal. After all people, who have never been, say they want to live in Hawaii all the time & no one ever thinks they're nuts. Since most everyone wants to know what the big deal is in regards to Maine I'll tell you a thing or two. Here are 20 reasons why I want to live in Maine.



(Vincent and Homestead cross streets in Cape Elizabeth, ME)

#1 Many Colors of Fall
#2 Loons & Chickadees
#3 Moose & Puffins
#4 Moxie
#5 Forests that Cover Most of the State . Yet leaving enough room for Farmers Markets to thrive & Horses to gallop.
#6 Crisp Clean Air, Blue Skies & Bright Stars
#7 Snow & Ocean in the same spot
#8 Fresh, affordable Lobster in abundance
#9 Jagged Rocks & Crashing Waves with Enough Sandy Beaches w/ Good Waves for Summer Pleasures
#10 Smell of Salty Air & Pine Needles
#11 Sunrise Coming over the Ocean
#12 Fiddle heads, Maple Sugaring & Wild Blueberry Barrens, Lilacs, Pussy Willow
#13 Its Green!!!!!
#14 Sound of Rain, Often Enough not to be a Faint Memory
#15 Stillness that Snow Brings, & the sound of it crunching under your feet, especially at night
#16 Outdoor Ice Rinks & Community Sledding Hills
#17 Neighbors who Actually Talk
#18 All the Water Ways (Lakes, Rivers, Streams & Ponds)-Their Ponds are what we call Lakes.
#19 Lighthouses & Historic Architecture (Aesthetically Pleasing)
#20 Hunting & Fishing Wonderland

However God obviously wants us here for now. So here we remain. Business is good. We have good company. Good health. Yosemite is 30 minutes away. It could be worse.

Spotted Bliss

When Ricky was a baby he was introduced to 101 Dalmatians, the Disney film. He was instantly in love. I don't know why, he just was. As soon as he was able to articulate the words he began asking for a Dalmatian. He even had his own word for them. He called them "Puppies" & all other dog breeds he called "Gogs"
Ricky continued to ask for a Dalmatian for 11 of his 12 years of life for every single Christmas & every single Birthday. He received many toys, book, clothes, posters, bedding and even movie sound track cd's-but no real puppy.
Our friend, Jenny, told me "You really need to get that kid a Dalmatian". Well did you notice that our two dogs are of mixed breeds? Can you say cheap? Also after getting a 2nd big, hyper dog, there was no way I wanted to add a 3rd!!! Well, Jenny said to me "He has to have a Dalmatian & I'm going to get one for him...someday".
So when I knew our Larry was going to be put down, I called Jenny. I like having two big dogs up here. Besides, Leroy needs a buddy. The Grandparents, us & the Shugerts with Jenny at our lead found Edison Boaz. He is perfect. He is the cutest little thing, a charmer.
Jenny & I drove to Aptos to pick up Eddy Bo. He threw up on me 4 times on the ride back to her house. There we waited until Jeff brought our boys. Jenny sat in her room with camera in hand ready to get Ricky's reaction on film. We all expected him to be wild & hyper when he found out the Dalmatian was his. But he didn't, he cried! It was a sweet moment & I'm glad Jenny nagged us.


Thank you Jenny.

Thank you for loving our Ricky.

Thank you for being a good friend.

We love you very much.

What a Week!

When it rains, it pours. We woke up Tuesday morning to a very depressed house hold, especially our German Shepard/Chocolate Lab, Leroy.
Yesterday was still lingering on everyones heart when Billy & Ricky went out to feed our Goats, Callie & Maggie only to find a pack of wild dogs in our yard. We all ran outside, but it was too late, the goats were done. We were devastated.
Now before you think our girls were just live stock, let me assure you they were not! We purposely picked these goaties because they were bottle fed & kid smothered. We actually got them earlier then we were supposed to because the Mama had too many babies & wasn't able to feed them all. The owners had to completely bottle feed them, so they asked if we would like that experience. Wow, that was exactly what we were looking for!
We set out on our new exciting endeavor. We intended on milking them when they were old enough & even keeping a few of the babies. We took Callie & Maggie on a walk every day. They were completely leash trained, no I'm not kidding. They ate from our hands. If we sat on the ground, they sat in our laps. They were like puppies actually. Our girls loved when company came over. They loved to follow the kids around.
One of the memories that will forever be etched in my mind is our two boys, two dogs & two goats running up and down our hillsides together. Everyone happy, everyone with a stick in hand or mouth. Yes, even the Goats. The boys had hiking sticks, the dogs wanted you to play catch & the goats always had a snack for the road.
Okay, we are nuts, we spoiled our goats. So what of it, we had fun. We made wonderful memories & we miss them terribly. Our hearts burn with sorrow. Our yard is quiet, the stillness is overbearing.
We have kept our Leroy in the house, only going outside to potty. Today is Saturday morning & he has just found out that two more of his playmates are gone. He is very mopey. He has stopped looking out the window for Larry to come back, he knows that isn't gonna happen. He understands everyone is gone. Poor baby.

What is a Larry?

When our boys were 2 & 4 we got Larry, our black dog. The boys are now 12 & 14 & Larry 9 & 1/2. Larry Boy was the type of dog everyone dreams of having as part of their family. He was "Nana", like in the movie Peter Pan. He believed with everything in him that Billy & Ricky were HIS responsibility.
Larry loved life! He went on vacations with us. He loved to go for car rides. He had an obsession with sticks, frisbee's, balls, basically anything he could get you to throw for him. Larr let babies crawl on & take toys from him. He was always patient, always loving.
Larry loved everyone, everyone loved Larry. As a matter of fact I can't even tell you how many times we have gotten phone calls with parents asking what kind of dog Larry was, what training he had or where we bought him, they wanted their very own Larry. For the record he was 1/2 McNab & 1/2 Black Lab, he was our McLab.
Three years ago Larry began showing signs of hip Dysplasia. We went through a list of diet changes, exercises & medicines to keep him with us as long as possible. We even got him a puppy. Leroy did bring a bounce back to Larry's life, for about 2 years anyway.
Monday morning we had to put Larry down. It was time, he was no longer our "Larry Boy" the pain made him too uncomfortable. It completely broke our hearts & we will forever miss our Larry Baby.