It's Thanksgiving week! Woo hoo! Yay for a three day work week. Update: Paylee has settled in and her dog run is complete!

I have made some lifelong friends at work and so far love what I am doing. Matt and the kids are hunting until Wednesday so I am working and just trying to relax. My flare has calmed down and I am dealing better with my pain level as my body adjusts to sitting for long periods. 

Happy Thanksgiving. I am truly blessed. -S

Paylee

Matt & I have been pondering getting a puppy for a few years now. We always said we would wait until we moved to the country, but this last month, we both had a feeling that now is a good time.

Matt grew up with a husky and was set on only that breed. I know they are big dogs and shed a lot, but Paylee will have a home outside and only be in when we are home. We decided on a Siberian Husky female as they are smaller.

We had to drive two hours to see her. She lives with an awesome family and has four siblings. We knew instantly that we wanted her instead of the other female pups. She was so little (4 weeks) and nuzzled in my neck and made cute pig snorting sounds.

We get her on Wednesday when she is six weeks. Matt has assured me we will start training her immediately and look at obedience school. We had a dog when we were first married and she was crazy! We got her as an adult dog and she had some serious behavioral issues :/

We got rid of our trampoline and turned that 10' x 10' area into her space. Matt bought a 5x6x10 log for posts and swinging barn doors as the gate. We need to build the dog house and we are done.

I know having a pup is like a newborn, so we have our work cut out for us. The good thing though is our kids are older ;)

Will look similar to this.

But using this type of gate.

Paylee at the farm.

Her mom. Pretty small for a husky!

I love her markings.

Changes

It's fall! My favorite month of the year.  The house is decorated and we are in full swing of everything fall :)

I work 8:30-5 for the next 5 weeks, then permanently go to 8:30-6. It has been difficult getting in the routine of dropping the kids off at school early so I can commute to Portland.  I work in the Koin building and love the people I work with, but traffic sucks. I get up at 5:15 and get home at 6:30. It will be 7ish once I start working 45 hours.

Luckily, Matt has two weekdays off and gets off at 3. This means chores, dinner and homework are done by the time I get home. The downside, we don't have one day off together.

Having a desk job has introduced some new challenges with LS. I now have nerve pain and have to go to bed right after work on weekdays. Sucky.

I am looking forward to this holiday season! Love this time of year ;)

-S

Our Little Free Library!

We built and designed this as a family and I think it turned out awesome! Basically, anyone can take a book, leave a book, or both. You can return the book or keep it. For more details, go to Littlefreelibrary.org.

Ashlin & Her 7th Birthday!!

Ashlin Elizabeth ;)

1st Grade

Whip Cream Beard

Beach Trip

Date with Dad

Surfer Girl

Silverwood Amusement Park

First Soccer Game

Worm Soup

Birthday!!

Ashlin decided for her 7th birthday that she would invite a few friends to Safari Sams. Then we went home for pizza and ice cream. Tomorrow is her actual birthday, but we have two soccer games so today we did her "friends" party. Tomorrow we are going out to dinner and having a family party.

I love her to death. She is such a cutie who walks to the beat of her own drum. She is fascinated with anatomy, astronomy, and animals. When she is older, she wants to be a veterinarian and claims she will have 20 cats! She loves to climb, and is a tomboy at heart. She keeps us laughing with her  questions and sense of humor. I cannot believe it has been seven years since this angel blessed our lives. 

Sammy, Caleb, Mya & Lizzy. All her "younger" friends. Ash is so tall!

She requested a carton of ice cream frosted. Silly girl! I had to frost it with a Ziploc!

Kitty Party. Like her stuffed animals?! Haha!

I love you Ash!!! ~Mom