Of Dogs and Dirt Roads...

Magnus is "Free"!

Daddy and Magnus helping me with the cake design.

The icing!

The finished product.

Just don't eat the propeller!

Wishing a very special boy a year full of wonderful things and delightful memories!

Magnus turned three yesterday and had a fun little party with some little friends. When asked his age, he now proudly announces, "I'm free!" And I guess if you think about it, turning three would probably be rather liberating, huh? =)

A Special Monkey

A special monkey is one that likes the same toys as you.

A special monkey is always up for a good nap-time cuddle.

A special monkey doesn't mind if you chew on its leg now and then.

A special monkey always laughs at your jokes!

To all the special monkeys out there - keep up the good work!

Snow, Snow, Go Away, Come Again Some Other Day!

We've had more snow this year than I even thought possible for VA. We've lived here over 8 years and have never had such a cold, snowy winter. We've been spoiled into thinking that "mild" was normal for around here! We certainly have had a rude awakening. We're cold. The snow has been here for weeks and more keeps piling on. The barn area is a complete mushy-disaster. Our electric bill is insane. We're totally stir crazy. The driveway is destroyed. We've forgotten what color our Excursion used to be... Look out, Florida! We've got our eyes on you, baby! Too much more of this "winter" and we'll be tempted into action and moving your way! Well, maybe...

Finally!! Some real food!

Henrik just turned 6 months old (can you believe that?!) and got his first taste of rice cereal. He'd been tortured at every meal, watching us eat and trying very hard to get a bite of it... now it's his turn. He eagerly accepted that spoon and after licking his lips a little bit he decided that was enough tasting - time for some SERIOUS slurping! I was carefully spooning it in (ya know, so he could get used to this new phenomenon) and he started to fuss, but I couldn't figure out why until Joe wisely informed me, "You're not feeding him fast enough." So I sped up and he brightened up! Since then he's enjoyed sweet potatoes, squash and applesauce. He's still getting used to the slightly sour applesauce, but the kid is a natural born eater, and is determined! Look out, grocery bill!!

She's back! And there's someone else too...

Great news! Clue beat Parvovirus and is all better. We picked her up from the breeder (whom we won't mention here) about a week ago and she is like a new dog! We realize now that the sweet little lap dog that we brought home the first time was actually a sick little puppy. The "new" Clue is a feisty little bundle of love and energy that is very much full of life! We are having tons of fun with her! And if you don't recognize the other dog in the picture, let me introduce you to Rocky (known in a former life as Sorvino). We have had him since before Christmas and the shy, insecure dog that he was when we brought him home has also had a transformation. Rocky is a sweet, lovable, goofy brindle Mastiff. He's 10 months old and loves his new life on the farm. He certainly will never be a replacement for dear Jack - It was hard for me at first to even have him around - but, I now can at least love him for who he is, and we enjoy having dogs again.

Christmas Eve and we're Clueless. =(

Magnus showing Clue her little "house".

The sweetest puppy ever!

We aren't having much luck with dogs these days. Monday we went to look at some Rat Terrier puppies and couldn't resist this sweet little gal we promptly named "Clue". Magnus adored her... spent hours with her, and she loved him right back... then she got sick yesterday and I started to worry. Joe and Magnus took her to the vet this morning and we were floored and devastated to find out that she has Parvo. The breeder took her back, but it was so hard since we already loved her so much. She was such a darling, and we never heard her bark even once.. just a little whine every now and then if she was missing us. (We chose the Rat Terrier breed since they are generally friendly and non-yapping!) I miss her already, and hope Magnus doesn't take it too hard. Thankfully he's still young and bounces back quickly, but boy is this really putting a strain on our Christmas cheer! It reminds me, though, that it's not about us, but a baby named Jesus that came to give us Life. We know we can always rejoice in Him!

Goodbye hurts!

Last night we lost one of our best friends, and the world's finest dog. Jack went to doggy "heaven" at the age of 8 and Joe and I are devastated. We dearly loved that dog! Joe noticed a large bump on the top of Jack's head Monday night that wasn't there earlier in the day and we have no idea what happened. Jack moped around all day Monday acting very unlike himself, and died basically 24 hours after we noticed the knot on his head. We will miss his sweet, gentle spirit, his wagging tail, and the way he always danced around the yard with us, flipping those gigantic feet as he went. Thankfully Magnus is not to the age where he mourns the loss as Joe and I have - I think he understands that he's not coming back, but he's very matter of fact about it. This morning he told me, "Maybe some food will make you feel better, Mommy." and later he said, "Jack died. Lets go tell him we're sorry." I could fill this little blog page with so many wonderful things to say about dear Jack... but it's really just enough to honestly say that he was the best. Now I just sit and cry, wondering... what in the world am I going to do without him??? =(

Dear Santa...

Henrik fills up Santa's lap at only 4 1/2 months old!

Magnus, though shy, seemed to really enjoy sitting with Santa.

These "elves" were just too much fun, and this picture of them with my fellas really cracks me up! Joe and Magnus had a blast trying out all the toys on display at Bass Pro Shops' winter wonderland. Such a fun place to take the family at Christmastime!

Bumbo Cowboy

My sweet little cowboy Henrik is 4 months old, and at his check-up he was in the 97th percentile just like Magnus was at his age. He weighed 19.1 lbs, which was a pound more than Magnus did, but was around the same height... around 27-28" long. I'm not sure how this happens... guess we just grow them big around here! =)