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Monday, November 30, 2009

End of November

We spent the day outside - throwing the ball and sticks for Duke. He enjoyed the freedom to run without being tethered to a leash. He is responding very well to the electric fence, though we have more work to do before we can trust him to stay in our yard. When we throw sticks or his ball past the electric fence, Duke doesn't even try to chase them - Good boy, Duke!

Abby enjoyed being outside, too. She's been asking to go outside a lot lately, and I am trying very hard to oblige, if possible. I know that the number of days with beautiful weather will be limited - so I try to get her outside when I can. We spent a lot of time playing in her sandbox - she loves that! She also spent some time running from Duke - he chased her and tried to steal her sticks. She would yell, "No Duke...that's my stick." 

Olivia had a lot of fun being outside, too.  We had her swaddled and had her hat on, but after a few minutes, decided that she didn't need all that bundling.  She enjoyed the fresh air and was quite curious about everything she could see.

It was a great way to spend the morning - and when both girls were down for their naps, Mike and I got out our Christmas decorations and decorated.

We ended the evening watching Rudolph with Abigail - and I think we'll end up watching that many more times before Christmas!


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We did have a great Thanksgiving - spending Thursday with Mike's family at Pat and Vic's - the food was excellent!  Friday, we went to Holly's and helped make food there, and Saturday, did the whole routine again at Holly's - more great food!  I ate way too much - but loved every minute of it!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Yard work - before and after, 11/09



Here are some before and after pictures of the backyard. The first picture was taken June 2008, the second taken this morning. Mike and Gary worked all day yesterday to clean up all of the brush and clear out the hole - getting it ready for the landscaper to be here sometime tomorrow. There is a lot to do yet - getting dirt to fill the hole and then getting the fence put up. I will put more pictures up as we progress.
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Monday, November 2, 2009

Meet Duke!

Meet Duke - our newest member of the family (Olivia didn't hold that title for long!). He's a lab-collie mix, and is 6 months old. He is a very sweet dog, though still nervous about his new home. He's warmed up to Mike and me, but isn't comfortable with the cats - and they are REALLY not comfortable with him! Duke has already had physical altercations with both Bart and Wally - but I expect the cats to put him in his place soon!

He doesn't seem to pay much attention to the girls - which is fine by me, and actually the way I would prefer it (at least until he's more comfortable here). Abigail is only peripherally interested in Duke, preferring her stuffed dogs and mocks our interactions with Duke.

He is scared of the television, and the ceiling fan. He is also nervous about the highway noise, and the ice maker, too. I can't wait until he feels more comfortable here and the cats can come back upstairs!
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Sunday, November 1, 2009

Halloween 2009


Here are a few pictures of Abigail and Olivia in their Halloween costumes. Abigail made the prettiest Ariel, and my Lovebug was the most cuddly bug ever! We had a great time walking around our neighborhood, and talking with our wonderful neighbors - we really do have the best neighbors!


In addition to seeing our neighbors, we had a few visitors at our house - including Danielle, Steve and Shelby, and Patti, Jenna, Josh and Katie. Shelby was dressed as Big Bird - and she looked absolutely adorable! Danielle got a few pictures of the girls together, and I can't wait to see them. Patti and the kids came by a little later - Josh was a Ninja, Katie was a cat, and Jenna - well...she was just too grown up!


After trick-or-treating, we came home and watched It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown - and that was fun. Abigail ate a bag of M&M's and then went to bed quickly and quietly - it was the best I could've hoped for!


Olivia was very patient riding in her stroller. She was bundled quite a bit - with a layer of clothes under her very warm costume, and a thick blanket wrapped around her, too.
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