Yes, we have the Cottonelle dog!

Actually, our new puppy looks like the traditional yellow lab that you see everywhere, but of course our's is "special"! Our dog of about 14 years died the day after Christmas last year and I told Chuck we would not have another one for awhile. Well....6 months is as long as it took! A friend of mine had adopted a dog and did not realize she was "with puppies" and the puppies were born a few weeks later. We decided to surprise the girls with "Cutie Pie" so I drove to my friend's house to pick up something "for school" (HAHAHA) and walked out of her house with Cutie Pie. The girls were looking at me like I was crazy for holding someone else's puppy but then I said, "This is our puppy." Emma's eyes were as big as tennis balls and they were both soooo happy. Best surprise I have ever pulled off...at least so far! The puppy, like all puppies, chews on everything from baseboards to carpet, and seems to think Ella is a chew toy herself. Hopefully Cutie Pie will grow out of that stage soon. Until then, I will feel like I have a new baby in the house minus the formula and diapers. But we are glad to once again be pet owners!

It Has Been Awhile

It has been so long since I have blogged that I almost forgot my password to sign in to my blog! It has been a very busy summer. I am posting pictures of some of the things we have been doing, most of which include baseball with Emma. She made All Stars and they have practiced (sometimes for 2.5 to 3 hours a night) or have had a game for 6 out of 7 days a week for the month of June. Need I remind you how hot it has been? Last night was her last game and so tonight we actually started our "summer". So around 5:00 pm when we would usually have been at or headed to the ballpark I started to sweat even though I was within the airconditioned walls of our home! I think my body has just been so use to sweating that it just naturally started sweating again! I make it sound bad but it has been the most exciting, rewarding, socializing, month of our lives. I am very proud of how well Emma has done and I think she has had a ball (no pun intended!).

In addition to All Stars we have had Vacation Bible School for a week, went to the beach for a week, had soccer camp and basketball camp at church, got a puppy and have survived Father's Day, Chuck's Birthday, and numerous other birthday parties as well. It has been a busy month of June! Now I just have to get plans finalized for Ella's birthday parties. She wants her first party to be at Disney World (and of course EVERYONE is invited), her second party at "The Beach House" which we do not even own "A" beach house, and her third party to be at Pizza Kastle. Although I really do not want a party at Pizza Kastle, it is the most practical of the three choices and does not involve me cleaning my house in order to have the party. So planning her 4 year old party is at the top of my list for next week!

Enjoy the pictures!