Ryan turns 21???

Really??? How did that happen?? He was just a little boy... I can't believe he is a grown man.. he moved out in May and got an apartment with his girlfriend Stephanie.

It just blows my mind.... This is how I think of him...
About 6 months old with Dave (notice the hair on Dave???)


2 years old


Not this...

Ryans 21st Birthday.. with Stephanie


He makes me proud... he makes me feel old at the same time!

Long Overdue Update!

Hi All!

I have not dropped off the face of the earth... promise.

Life has been pretty much a whirl-wind here the last few months, and because of it I have had a severe case of writers block... or more appropriately, just so much to write about that I didn't know where to start.

So where to start now?? I'm not even sure, so I think I will break it up into several smaller posts in attempt to not miss anything.

April this year brought us to the realization that we had to say good-bye to a very important and special member of our family... Munson, our 14 year-old chocolate lab ended his struggle with cancer late in the afternoon during the first thunder storm of the season... ironic that it started to storm just before the vet got here. Munson hated thunder, or I should say he was terrified of it. He would shake and whine and want to be in your lap the entire storm.. but weighing over 100lbs, we had issues with this. So while waiting for the vet to get here, I was sitting with him on the deck saying my good-byes when I heard the rumbling in the distance. I said under my breath, " Oh God... not now" Munson looked up at me, hauled his tired old body inside and quietly laid down on the living room floor. no whining, no shaking. He just laid there and waited with me for the vet to get here and end his suffering.

While the rain poured down and the thunder boomed outside, we gathered and said good-bye to our beloved "Brown-Dog". Four months later, I can't type this without tears. He was one in a million and is missed every single day.

So, fast-forward to 2 /12 weeks ago... We were just finishing vacation at the beach (another post later) when I got a phone call from a friend of mine... did we know anyone interest in a Lab puppy? Part of me wasn't ready... I was looking for another Munson... not just any dog would do... but the other part of me spoke louder.. a new puppy.. the kids were ready... they had been for awhile now... it was just me that was unsure. So we took a ride the Saturday we got home from vacation and I must admit... I fell in love... we picked out a sweet little guy... black... all wiggly and full of energy...and headed home. As I pulled out of my friends road, a few rain drops hit my windshield, followed by a loud clap of thunder. There was my sign from Munson... tear rolled down my face as I looked back to see Ben and Caroline smiling and holding the new pup.

Meet Odin...

We have all fallen in love with this little guy... he is full of energy, but sweet as can be too.

Ok... that's it for today....

More tomorrow... I promise.

Vicki