Last Week in Moments

I'm absolutely in love with this clay piece C made in school. Artwork projects and bigger, so we rarely get to see them. But this is definitely a favorite.


We picked Gretel up from her surgery on Saturday. Poor thing is pretty miserable, but doing ok. She has to rest in her crate for two weeks. So far, she's actually doing ok there. Can't wait until she's back to her normal crazy self.


We took the boys to Goodkind to celebrate the end of H's first semester in high school -- and straight A's! He has worked so hard and it's paying off.


H was off of school Monday, but had swim practice. I fit in a 10K row. Some days, it just feels so good to row and row and row.


Thursday was Dress-A-Freshman-Up Day for swim in honor of the meet that night. I did not get to see this awesomeness in real life, but here's what H got to wear all day. Hilarious!


Look who's in the cone now! She's been doing really well with her stitches, but they started coming out. Nothing a few staples at the emergency vet couldn't fix.


Today's dose of pretty comes in thanks to Trader Joe's. I didn't get these for the house, but they were amazing.

Last Week in Moments

Storm finally got to retire the cone -- with supervision. It's a good thing because the dude is like a bull in a china shop. I don't have enough duct tape to keep up with the repairs.


C has the opportunity to go to Spain in March with his soccer team. He is doing his own fundraiser to help him on his road to Spain. All proceeds go directly towards his travel to Spain. Cole's Road to Spain.


Two peas in a pod. Today, it was Gretel's turn to go under the knife -- CCL surgery. We get to pick her up tomorrow, and I cannot wait. It's going to be a long recovery, but I miss our crazy little girl.

Last Week in Moments

The place to be on a super cold Saturday night.


For some reason, we were all very attached to this Christmas tree and didn't want to see it go. I waited until Sunday to take it down, but realized, it probably was time for it to go.


Gretel snuggling seems to be a theme this week. She's the best at it.


It was Parent Night at one of H's swim meets. Unfortunately, Brian was in NYC for work so couldn't make it. Super proud of this guy. Swimming is a no joke sport. It requires a huge commitment and lots of dedication. He's still playing club soccer too, so has had to balance a lot. Not to mention school work. He's doing it though, and somehow making it all work.


Burned the last of my absolute favorite candle ever. Brian's been trying to get rid of it for awhile, but I made it last quite awhile longer. I'm going to miss you, Malin+Goetz Dark Rum candle.


Storm had to have eye surgery on Wednesday to get a huge tumor that was bothering his eye removed from the eye lid. Poor guy. They are anticipating everything to be fine, but he looks like someone punched his eye. Plus he has to wear the cone-of-shame for a week. The first day home, he could barely stand up and was walking around like a drunken sailor. He's back to being himself now -- just plowing into everything where ever he goes.


Nowhere for Storm and his cone to go thanks to his snuggling sister.

Last Week in Moments

Ringing in the New Year with the Elsmo Four. <3 <3


Had to take both (BOTH!) dogs to vet specialists this week. Storm had a gross eye growth that needs to get removed. Gretel has had an issue with her leg (which she's had since her puppy days) that is going to require CCL surgery. Not looking forward to either. The dogs and I had a log day at the vet. Fortunately, Gretel had a comfortable spot to rest her weary head.


It's been brutal cold outside. We are talking 0-degrees-during-the-day cold. At least the sun is shining.

New Year's Eve

Our favorite New Year's Eves are those spent with dear friends. We were absolutely thrilled with the Elsmo Four (and Fitz) said they would be ringing in the new year with us this year! We miss these guys like crazy, and getting to see them was more awesome than I can even say. The evening flew by -- thanks in part to risotto that took forever -- and it was midnight before we even knew it. I can't say 2016 was terrible for us, but it seemed to be for a lot of people. There's always something refreshing to me about a new year. If last night was any indication of how 2017 will be, it's going to be a pretty great one.