It's all good!

I've been such a slacker in posting. In March, Noah had his 7th birthday and we were blessed to have my grandmother here to help us celebrate. Noah chose to go to a local fancy restaurant so he could get their wonderful crab legs. The next day, with a few friends, and his cousins, we went to an indoor playground with all kinds of giant blow-up things to roughhouse on. It was a much milder party than we have had in the past so it was kind of anti-climatic for me, but it only counts that Noah and his friends had a great time.

One week in April:

-Dave's parents were finally able to sell their house, so we received a house full of furniture and decorations . We are so excited! Dave and I spent our anniversary putting everything away and hanging pictures.

-We got the new puppy - her name is Diamond. She only weighs 3 pounds right now - I can't believe how little she is! Noah loves her to bits and takes very good care of her. Ginger is not so thrilled with the new addition, but hopefully will warm up to her once we can get Diamond to stop biting Gingers ears and tail. I am not getting anything done around the house because of her - it's like having a new baby except that at this age, diamond does not stay in one place when you put her down.

-The family all came from Phoenix for Easter weekend and we had a good time. Playing with the puppy, decorating eggs and going on string-maze hunt Easter morning.

I feel like I cannot get my head above water these days - too much constantly being thrown at me and being very unprepared for it all (which is so not my style!) But it's all been good stuff - so I say bring it on!

Exhausted

This past weekend was a total success! My wonderful father came down from Phoenix and spent three whole days busting his butt helping us with our yard. We got a ton of stuff done, the best of which was to get a shed put together for backyard tools and toys, lay a path between our patio and pool that was previously just dirt and figure out why our pool vacuum was not working and actually fix it. I always love it when I figure something out that I didn't know and it works!

The most important thing that happened is that I got to spend some real quality time with dad all to myself. Even though we were both crippled and exhausted from the experience, we had a great time renting the Home Depot truck and loading it up with stuff from Lowe's, assembling the shed in toreential winds that carried us (and the shed) around the yard, and having nothing but ice cream and donuts for dinner (food for hard labor). His help also kick started my desire to get out in the yard and do things. I had been procrastinating out of fear because I know nothing about cactus and the Arizona planting season and out of shear laziness. It's always so nice to do things with someone else, especially when they have some knowledge about the subject.

I wish I had taken a picture of my dad before he left to show how crooked he was from all his toil. I love you dad - you're a serious trooper!

They're here!

Well, we have finally made the commitment to get a pug puppy. Noah has been wanting one for a very long time now and he has shown he can be responsible by helping to take care of Ginger. We have put a deposit down on a puppy that was born in Phoenix on February 17th. We will get to choose one of the litter at the end of March and then get to bring Diamond home on April 14th (yes, unfortunately, that will be her name as chosen by Noah).
I'm not sure I am ready for this, but we are all excited - except for maybe Ginger, I'm not quite sure how to read her yet.

Handsome Man

Noah and I attended the Twin Peaks Elementary Mother/Son dance this past weekend at his school. He insisted on getting very dressed up - jacket and all - and was so excited to wear his fancy duds.

I sat like a wall-flower with some other moms while Noah spent the evening running around with his friends pummeling each other with balloons. He and I did do the Chicken Dance and get a picture together, however.

And even though I spent most of the evening without my date, it was a great night because I was with the most handsome man there!

Heaven

Noah had the perfect day yesterday. We (Dave, Grammy, Pop. Noah and I) ventured out to the Arizona Gem, Rock and Fossil Show. It covers the city of Tucson for two weeks at various locations. We ended up at a Ramada Hotel that was completely full of rocks and fossils! Every room was covered in all varieties of products from the earth's crust. It was overwhelming - we spent at least three hours going from room to room studying and touching everything we could. And of course, Noah brought home many more to add to his collection. He got a wonderful display cabinet for Christmas and all his specimen have a place of distinction in it.

After the rock show, and dinner, we came home and cranked up Noah's new chocolate fountain. He purchased this beauty after saving money he raised by giving massages to various family members. He calls it his "spa" and offers many package options - he even cuts nails and does feet! Anyway, he dipped marshmellow, bananas, pretzels and strawberries into the flowing chocolate, making satisfying grunting noises the whole time. Nothing could be better than chocolate flowing freely!

Many times during the day, Noah quoted a shirt he has that says "Life is Good." I'm sure that Noah's heaven will be full of rocks and chocolate.

Visitors!

We were so happy to have Grandma and our two cutest cousins/neices and their adorable puppy come visit us for a couple of days this week. It gave me an even greater appreciation for what my mother does everyday watching the two girls and the puppy by herself.

Sadie kept saying, "This house is so cool" while carrying around all of Noah's stuffed animals. Burnee spent lots of time drawing lines on the chalkboard and copying her big sister. And Beagle (the puppy) gave Ginger a run for her money. Mom and I just tried to keep up. We were always glad when Noah came home from school to entertain them all since he has more energy than all of us put together!

It was wonderful to have them all here.

Making Progress

We were so excited to have Monica's parents come this past weekend. They were a huge help in getting the craft loft set up (first two pics). It is my favorite place in the house and has a great view of the mountains out the balcony doors. I can't wait to start scrapbooking again! It will also be an awesome place to exercise - if I ever feel like it (ha ha). Thanks mom and dad!

Dave's office furniture finally came, so he has made great strides in getting that room arranged. He really loves his workroom. Monica is also loves his workroom because it means that now we can actually eat at the kitchen table again. Dave used it previously as his desk.

Notice who's room is messier?

Happy New Year!

We spent the new year with Dave's parents. We celebrated New York time (10pm our time) and then all crashed out. Except for poor Noah who was the only one awake to ring in the real 2007 in Arizona by himself. We woke long enough to see some fireworks outside, then to bed. When did we get so lame? I remember when I was young that I couldn't believe my parents didn't want to stay awake to see the new year turn. Now I'm just like them - new year, smew year - it's just another day.

We spent the next day playing games and going to a new park in town. It was nice to spend some down time all together. Very relaxing - back to work tomorrow.