It's The Little Things

Like sitting in the front yard with your kiddos and blowing bubbles... Things like this may seem so small and not memorable at all but then I think back, some of the best moments with my kids have been times just like this... I get to study their beautiful faces, watch them giggle over .99 bubbles. 

I just love her little freckles.


It's really a very good life!!! 

Getting to Know Hunter- Pets are people too

My girl

So 5.5 years ago... the greatest litter of mutts came into this world! And then they were dropped off at a high kill shelter in Northern California.

The rescue that I used to volunteer for got a call about this litter and their mama so they went to go pick them up... the mom was a Greater Swiss Mountain dog and the dad (we later found out was a labrador/rottweiler mix through DNA testing). 

A few of my really good friends adopted from this litter and it's been so amazing to watch our Hunter and her siblings grow up over these last five years. I really wish we had stayed in touch with the person that adopted Hunter's mom and sister but unfortunately we lost contact.

Waylon & Boone live up on the Russian River

If I could duplicate this litter (which I'd never do since there are so many dogs that need homes), I'd be a millionaire! I cannot tell you how many people have wanted their very own one of the mountain dog mutts! They really just have the best temperaments!

So thank you to the idiot who didn't spay their dog and then gave her up along with her babies to a high kill shelter and didn't look back!!!! You are a true champion!!!! Your loss and our gain!

I'm linking up with Jade & Oak & Karly Kim today! Go check em' out! 

Back to the Grind

Well we are home from the river... and I would rather turn around and head back but I guess it's back to reality...

Our trip didn't exactly go as planned... We were supposed to leave Friday after Tbone got home from work.... but he worked far from home and sat in horrible traffic so we decided to leave at like 5 am on Saturday... We weren't happy about losing more time out there but the poor guy couldn't sit in a car any longer...

Friday night about 11:30 Boogie woke up and came in to our room crying that her throat hurt sooo bad and she had a cough. So we decided that we would have to cancel the trip.

Saturday morning the kids woke up dressed and ready to go... until I told them that we wouldn't be going because Boogs was sick... They both cried and were soooo sad.

Tbone decided to head up to LA to see some friends since it was the anniversary of their friends death and we weren't going to the river any more...

Boogs seemed fine, just had a cough so we decided that we'd meet Tbone in Riverside, leave his truck there and head out to the river... (luckily we hadn't un-packed).

We got a late start but we were all happy that we were back on track and still going. Until our 4 hour trip turned in to an 8 hour trip... We sat in traffic that didn't move because a horse trailer had overturned (sooo sad I know)... so we got off the freeway and basically back tracked... It was a long long long drive but we finally got there about 9.

We were just happy to be there!!!

After the huge ordeal of going/not going, 8 hour car ride, etc... we were finally there!!! and we had a great time!!!! If you follow me on Instagram, you have probably seen quite a few pics already but here are some more... =)

We took the kids to Oatman Arizona to feed the donkeys

posing with Uncle T

 Then birthday breakfast for Tbone at Topock

 Some family fun before heading home

Uncle T refuses to ever make a normal face

Relaxing on the front porch

They would have lived on the golf cart if they could have

and now we are home with two sick kiddos and heading to the doctor... but it was worth it... we had a blast and a much needed relaxing getaway. 

Today I have linked up with Glossy Blonde & Karly from Karly Kim.  Go check them out!!!

Happy Birthday Dad

Dear Dad,

Happy Birthday! I hope that where you are, that you are able to celebrate. I can't tell you how much I miss you. I honestly think it gets harder every day instead of easier. I find myself talking to you when I am driving alone in my car. It's become kind of therapeutic. I miss our Sunday breakfasts at the airport, I miss watching movies with you on Friday nights when the kids were at their dads, I miss hearing your voice and having you here to give me advice. I miss my best friend!!! Happy Birthday!!! I love you!!!

Love,

Your favorite child

Mom and Dad at my brother's wedding in Maui 11-2012

Mom & Dad at Tom's wedding 11/2012

Dad teaching

Laughing and eating pie

us probably 1981 (I was making monster faces even back then)

Me and My Dad

I like watching this to hear his voice again. 

Happy Place #2

So earlier in the week, I told you about my happy place. If you missed it, you can check it out here.

Well tomorrow we are heading out to my happy place #2. I really have 3 so I guess you will have to wait to read about #3 for another day.

Happy place #2 is a place that I have spent my whole life vacationing. It's the Colorado River. I have been going as long as I can remember. And I remember wearing a little red life jacket and bobbing in the cove.

I totally stole this from my Aunt's fb. She took it last night. 

Most people are summer river rats... Well my family likes to go all year round. Now this time of year is not a layout and suntan time of year but it's a beautiful, clear day, perfect weather time of year.

My kids have grown up there just as I have.

This weekend will be special... more special that any other time. My mom, younger brother, the kids, Tbone, and I will go out together. My Aunt and Uncle are already there... We will be comforting each other and my mom especially as she goes through her first Valentines Day and wedding anniversary (Friday) with out my dad. She will be going through my dad's birthday (Saturday) for the first time,  without him here to celebrate. Then we will also be comforting Tbone as he goes through his best friends anniversary of his death (Sunday) , (he was killed in a car accident last year at the river). It's going to be hard for all of us, but I am so so so thankful that I have such an amazing family and we will be spending it together... celebrating the time we had with these two special people. Then Monday it's a celebration for Tbone's birthday!!!! He's old!!! 36! Yikes! 

Tbone's best friend Greg doing what he loved. 

I am really looking forward to a get away. Stay safe and enjoy your 4 day weekend and Valentine's Day! 

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

"A picture is worth a thousand words"... This is so true! Today I will share a few of those pictures.

Okay that's enough for now.