A truck to match my dining chairs!

We saw this truck in Kerrville while John, Erin, Zig and I were driving to Travis' open house. It was so cool! Zig and John inspected it for awhile and we even called to get some more information. I think Zig really wanted it. I told him I would drive it (if he fixed it to where it wasn't so low to the ground) Anyway, it turned out it wasn't 4-wheel drive and was quite overpriced so we had to pass it up. It was fun while it lasted!

It's always the mom's dog.....

Dog training is what they call it, but after my first session with Melissa of Mountain High Dog Training, I realized it is I who is being trained. And not only that, it is I who will now have to spend three daily sessions outside with Kona doing "exercises" to get this horse, I mean dog, used to being around the kids. Oh, the joy.

I purposely made a point to leave the dog selection up to Zig and Sela so I would have little responsibility in the caring for of the dog. It sounds harsh but it's no secret I'm not a huge animal lover. I like them, but a lover of dogs I am not. I think it has a lot do with my stage of life right now. With three little kids to worry about (and my sweet unborn sapping all my energy), I wasn't looking to add another to the "needy" group. But Zig and Sela do genuinely love dogs, so I thought that would be enough. Zig still loves Kona despite his current hobbies which include chewing up every single hose in the yard, teething on the exterior of our house, spreading trash all over the free world, and destroying packages left by UPS. That's devotion.

I like the security of having a dog and I love to see him sleeping on the front porch. He seems so sweet when he is asleep. And he really is a beautiful dog. I do know my limits though, and my idea of caring for the dog was saying "hi", petting him when he doesn't reek, throwing stuff to him on occasion and some walks. Oh, and I don't mind picking up the dog food at the store. However, now that I am being bulldozed each day as I walk to my car, and the kids won't go outside without me if Kona is out, I am having to re-examine my commitment to our 120 pound "puppy".

Apparently, the dog thinks the kids and I are a novelty because we don't give him enough play, stimulus, mental exercise, etc. So he plows us over with love at every encounter. I thought five acres to roam and chase bunnies, chickens and squirrels was plenty of exercise. Apparently I have to become a much bigger part of the equation.

The first thing Melissa wanted us to consider was letting Kona be an inside dog. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! She immediately knew from the look on my face that this was clearly not an option. He has a great little house, but she told us that dogs are pack animals and need a pack. And the pack is me and the kids.

I actually do have a soft spot for Kona and for the family's sake, I want him to work out and be the family dog the kids were hoping for. I know he is a puppy and very exuberant. I know all dogs, large or small, are a huge pain at times when they are puppies. Eric has new little dog and it's tearing their house apart and becoming a huge headache. They are headed to the trainer as well.

Anyway, Melissa was excellent. Kona was obedient and teachable and it was very obvious that with a little work, he will be fantastic and very maneageable. She said Kongals are great family dogs, and that he has wonderful temperament. She thinks by summer at the latest, he will be a different dog. Our goal is four paws on the ground at all times. I have four activities to do each day and they have already worked. I went to the Whole Foods of dog food and got him some treats for rewards. My hands smell just lovely. And spray bottles for my secret "I am the alpha here" weapon (just water). Kona is fetching, sitting, and responding to our cues. Sela literally squealed as I told her about our session with Melissa. She wants so badly for Kona to be the kind of dog that just follows her around and is her buddy. She was elated to learn he fetched and dropped the object. And I know she really wants me to like Kona and come up with a new nickname other than "stupid dog."

So, it's a good start. Kona and I bonded, even though it was forced on me by the trainer. Now I have have another individual's needs to think about everyday and in some ways, though I hate to admit it, it's actually a fun challenge. And I thought this was Zig's dog.......

Sleep-overs and cookies

With a little luck we will be on a plane to Texas tomorrow afternoon. We're at the mercy of mother nature at this point. Our bodies will not know what hit them when we reach the 75 degree weather. We have had a blast with the winter weather this year, and after today, the snow should begin to turn to rain, so the timing is just right.

Last night I caved to a sleepover with our neighbors, Emma and Sophia. We pulled the two huge love sacs into my room, inflated the full size airbed, and threw in every other bean bag we had to pretty much cover the entire room in fluff. There was also our king bed in there. The girls had a total blast telling stories and jumping around before finally falling asleep.

Zig and I stayed up way too late hanging pictures, mirrors and two chandeliers. When I heard the pitter patter of little feet this morning at 6am, I wasn't feeling too refreshed. After breakfast, the kids headed outside for some more snow fun...this time building snowmen and then trying to knock the heads off by throwing snowballs at them.

I ran to Seattle on a whim today because a pillow I bought for the couch was snagged and I wanted to exchange it in case they sold out over the next week while we're away. Then I saw that lots of the Christmas trim type stuff I had bought at Anthropologie was now 75 percent off. BUMMER! Since it was only a week ago, the salesperson gave me a price adjustment on everything. I was so, so happy, and the pillows for my couch were even on sale so they adjusted them as well. I never luck out in the deal department so I was finally feeling the love today.

Tonight Zig loaded up the kids to deliver goodies to our neighbors. We had a baking day on Tuesday and made fudge with walnuts and gray salt, peppermint bark chocolate cookies (whole wheat, super delish and a 101 cookbooks recipe), and molasses crinkles. We also gave all the neighbors fresh eggs. We are now getting all the colors.... brown, creamy white, green, blue, and speckled. They make a lovely dozen!

Since this is my last post before our trip, Merry Christmas everyone!

where's the party?

Still Snowing.....

Saturday the snow let up and the driving conditions were fair so I headed to Seattle to wrap up my Christmas shopping. We also needed more food. 5 people home for a week and food gets depleted really fast. I got everything done by early afternoon and headed back home as the next snow started to fall.

Back at home I learned Zig had spent the day entertaining the kids and a few of the neighbors with a new kind of sledding (pulling the sleds behind the quad). They did
it again today and it looked like a blast. Sunday we had a joint 1 hour church with another ward for those who felt they could safely make it (not many). Sela had her baptism interview so we made the attempt. We slid around on the road a bit but made it home as the snow dumped again. There are now parts of our yard where the snow passes our knees. The kids have re-united with the neighbors and it's like summer again, running back and forth to each other's yards all day long. Nina had the new little girl Sidney over to play and they hit it off. They figured out they would both be in kindergarten next year and ride the bus together.

Being snowed in, you have to get a little creative. As I looked out across the yard today, I saw Sela and Sophia hauling bags and boxes to our house. They had decided to have a pet play date. Sophia brought her guinea pigs, Rose and Cocoa, over to play with Spotty. With Spotty's water freezing every night, we decided to bring him in. He is still getting used to all the attention and handling. The girls made leashes for their pets and tried to pull them around like little puppies. Then they put the doll clothes on them. Those poor animals!














































Our advent activities have added a little something new to each day. We've been able to do all the long ones without feeling rushed. On Sunday evening, we had a Jerusalem dinner with dates stuffed with goat cheese, flat bread, lentil soup, olives, yogurt curry roasted cauliflower (it just seemed to compliment the menu), and green salad. We ate it by candle-light and we discussed what gift we could each give to the Savior this year.

We also made dozens of tiny salt dough ornaments. Zig heated the barn so we did the painting in there. It was quite the messy endeavor, but well worth it. I'm still cleaning paint out of Rollin's ears. Good times.

Let it Snow...and watch the calendar clear!

The timing could not be more perfect. The Seattle area had a winter storm this week. Just the mere threat of snow on Wednesday had all schools canceled. I LOVE when school is canceled, at least as much as the kids. The snow actually arrived Wednesday night and we awoke to several inches on the ground on Thursday. Out came the ski clothes, mittens and sleds. Up went the volume on the Christmas tunes. Then school was canceled the rest of the week. Everything from Nina's school sing-a-long to church events to holiday parties have been postponed. Honestly, if this happened every year, it would be the best Christmas present I could receive.

Being snowed in this week is just what I needed but didn't realize. We all slowed way down. There is still time for a few last minute errands before Christmas (and I need it), but we have enjoyed a bit of the magic of the season this week and a calm that is quite elusive this time of year.

I even felt the baby move. This is a good thing as my ultrasound is one of the unfortunate events we couldn't travel to.

Friday afternoon I was able to drive into town to find Sela some new snow pants, and it was mayhem at all the stores. I picked up my one item and headed back home. I'm going to pretend we're still snowed in for a couple more days :) With the temperatures so low and more snow in the forecast, we are certainly going to have a very white Christmas this year.

I love this place!

I have tons to catch up on, but this weather we've had is worthy of a post. First the amazing fall, with only a few days of rain (if any), and now winter. Sun and clear skies and did I mention it's December, in Seattle? No threats to move away this year :)
It's 20 degrees outside, we have a nice blanket of snow in the yard and the sun pouring through all the windows and skylights. I am a happy girl!