Dogs Laugh with Their Tails

 Our puppies pretty much consume our lives, but in an effort to prevent them from consuming the furniture and other objects around the house... we decided to take Blue to obedience class.  She started today and did really well.... we can't wait to see how far she will come! 

Thanksgiving!

Colin and I have a ton of things to be thankful for this year.  We celebrated Thanksgiving with just the two of us.  In the morning I decided to "earn my turkey" by running the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot at the YMCA.   Colin and Blue came to cheer me on, Moon hung out at home because Colin didn't wish to be seen alone with her--ha!  After the trot, we headed to a buffet Thanksgiving dinner on the waterfront.  It was a beautiful display, but nothing compares to home cooking.  Next year, we are definitely headed home to celebrate with the family!  

Puppy Love

Colin with baby Blue

Colin and I are loving the "simple" life.  Although, Colin would say that our life is far from simple, I disagree.  We spend the majority of our time with our puppies Blue and Moon.  Which I must say is a total coincidence the way their names worked out.  

A little (ok, a lot of) background:

Blue was named "Punky Brewster" when we first got her because Colin used to call me that with the way I dress... I think I have style... he thinks I dress like Phoebe from Friends.  After two days with that name, Colin decided he hated it as well as the pink collar we bought her (she is a girl dog, so I thought pink made sense).  Then he convinced me that we should name her "Kelty" as it's Gaelic for beautiful... actually it was the name of a back pack that he had issued to him from a group of Navy Seals for training--he and Frank (Colin's best friend, old roommate, and best man) thought this was hilarious.  So needless to say, I didn't want her named after a back pack.  So, one day I had duty and the dog by myself... and our good friends Kitty and Jeff helped us out by watching her for the night.  I told them that I wasn't picking her up until they named her.  And their suggestions were either "Harper" after themselves or "Blue".  We chose Blue... and that is what stuck.  When I bought "Moon" from the breeder, she was already given that name from the breeder... it was between her or her sister "Hannah"... I thought that "Blue and Moon" sounded perfect together, and little Moonie was definitely the calmer of the pair.  So that's a little background on our babies... Here are some pics to help you all get acquainted.

 

Colin and Blue 

Helping me with the dishes

Blue and Moon Playing, don't worry Moon holds her own

Moon and I

  

Putting Our Wedding Gifts to Work

"Happy First Flight in an F/A 18" meal 

Colin had his first flight today, so I channelled my inner Rachael Ray and made him a Greek salad and lemon cake.  The salad turned out delicious, and the cake was good (just a little trouble with the frosting).  I put some more of our wedding gifts to work (the cake pans--thank you, Sheryl) and mixing bowls (from the Porepps--thank you Matt and TyRAN).  

After the new paint job

New drill--New shelf 

Kitchen-Before

Colin and I are currently renting a townhome from my friend Whitney while she is deployed on an IA to Djibouiti.  Since, I have a ton of free time before I start school, I decided to see if I could do some "home improvement".  The house had wallpaper with a sailboat border in the kitchen, and I wanted to bring it up to date with a fresh coat of paint. These are some pics of our handywork, and some of Colin using our new drill (from the Snakenbergs--thank you Shane and Katie) to build our new shelf (from the Parkers--thank you Betsy and Eric).  

The Beginning of Us

On October 11, 2008, we made it official and had the most fabulous wedding a couple could ask for... My mom, Sandi, worked so hard to make it the perfect day for us, and she was more than successful!  

We had our closest friends and wonderful family members gather at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Joliet, IL where we said our vows.  Father Pete Jankowski married us, and he really took the time to make the ceremony personalized for us.  

Our reception was held at the Jacob Henry Mansion in Joliet, and it was the most amazing location.  I felt like a princess having all that house to ourselves... 

It was truly a dream come true!