Moving Up...

So before I blogged about the big "Spring Clean", which in all reality is ironic because our home has become an even bigger mess with all the work that we have been doing. The exciting news is that JJ and I are now able to sell the mobile home and move into an actual house! We are thrilled! We have done a ton of work to our house so that we can improve the "curb appeal", and below are pictures of my new flower beds. This is the very first time that I have planted my own shrubs and plants, and I am happy to report that they are all still alive, save one that sadly left us just yesterday. Oh, well. One out of about 60 is pretty good, I would say. Happy planting to all of you!

My gloves were wet after hosing them off - this one is drying :0)

This is the front of our house, facing the street.

The side of the house, leading up to the front door.

And the "Welcome Bird". He will move with us to our new home, and find a happy place in a new flower bed.

Very Sad Day...

For those of you who have been following my blog, you know that my mom and dad brought my other lab, Indy, down for a visit while they went to Arizona. We had been having a good time; she was even getting along well with the two rambunctious puppies, but last night Indy passed away at about 10 PM. JJ and I think that she must have had a heart attack because one minute she was eating and getting a drink out of the toilet, and the next she was on the ground with no heartbeat. I have to say that right now my heart is breaking. She was a wonderful dog, and a member of our family, and I can say that we are all missing her very much. My consolation in all of this is that she went quickly, and like my brother, Brock, says: "It was how she would have wanted to go, because she always did things HER way, not the way anyone else would want her to do them." I guess she lived up to her name right to the very end: Independence.

You will be missed, sweet dog!

Plus 1 Makes 6...

So it is no surprise to all of you that I really love my puppies, and this week my mom and dad brought me another furry, little gift - my other black lab, Indy. My parents had to make another quick trip to Arizona and asked if JJ and I could watch "Blackie"... And how could I turn down that sweet face??? So, that makes 6 of us (three dogs, a cat and two humans) living in a much too small house. Oh , well. We love our three-ring circus life, and thankfully, we all get along really well, although getting a picture with the dogs AND the cat could be a bit more challenging!

Surprise, Dad!

My dad's 60th birthday was on April 18, a day which unfortunately fell right in the middle of our Albuquerque show. Although Mom and I tried to make his happy day special, in all honesty, we were working hard at selling jewlery, and did not have time for much else. Thankfully, we had another plan in mind. Brock and his roommates, Richard and Jay, graciously offered to host a surprise party for my dad on May 2. Because of the belated date and our excellent secret keeping (I personally nearly blew it on three different occasions), my dad was truly surprised, and the party was a huge success, not to mention, a ton of fun. The theme, as you will see below, was a Mexican Fiesta! Ole!

The birthday boy in one of his finer moments....

Molly and Maya arrive for the party in style.

Supposedly my dad is holding up two fingers for the "two amigos"... not sure where I fit in, but whatever! I am just a gringa...





Brock's happy gingerbread-man potholder helped us get all the yummy enchiladas to the table just in time for the hungry crowd to strike.

As you can see, that sombrero made its way around the party. Here Mark makes the perfect model.

Richard and his roomie Jay (not pictured - that is me), definitely did the lion's share of the work for this party. From cleaning their huge house, to running errands, we could not have pulled this off without them. You guys are great! Thank you so much!

Surprise, Dad! (cont.)

The "birthday boy" with Uncle Bob and Mark.

Ty, Scott and Molly are engrossed in a heavy conversation - if I remember correctly, it had something to do with the Portland Trailblazers and their most talented players. I am sure, had JJ been there, he would have had something to say about that! Go Jazz!






Cousins Oliver and Blair striking a pose. Thanks for making the trip for dad's party, guys!

Good friends, Aaron and Bonnie Drake, with Brock.

Maya is quite serious even though Blair and Vince are enjoying every moment with her.

Surprise, Dad! (cont.)

Uncle Rick and Aunt Marty share a moment, and a beverage, in the kitchen.

Dad is opening his presents amidst the family. Surprisingly, he was not embarrassed, and did not kick up a fuss at having to be the center of attention.

Brock and my Fairy God-Mother, Jenny Powell.

Grammy and Uncle Vince playing Patty Cake-Patty Cake with Miss Maya.

I just couldn't resist. Maya was having a little snack before the party, and I got down on the floor in front of her with my camera...

The Spring Clean...

While JJ was deployed to Turkey, my mom and dad came up to my house on their way home from Arizona to Washington, and helped me with some much needed repairs on the house. JJ and I are so grateful to them for helping us with these not-so-small projects. Thanks Mil and Ed!!! We love you!

Dad shows particular skill with some ribbon - we had to have something to hold our insulation in the ceiling, and this was the best I could do. I don't think that he has ever fixed something with scrapbooking supplies before. :0)

The next project was laying pavers next to our car-port. I would love to say that I helped with this project, but other than shoveling some dirt, I didn't do much.

Taking a much needed break for a little lunch.



It is finally spring here in Salt Lake, so we dragged the lawn mower out of the shed, and while dad and I worked on pavers, mom mowed. Whew!