2007

Can you believe 2007 has come and gone?  I can't- where did it go?! Oh, that's right, into a masters program (for me) and an adminstration credential (for Travis).  We went for a long walk this morning with the dogs and I kept thinking about all that has happened over the last year...I finished writing and defended my thesis, Travis went back to school for his administration credential, we trained for and completed a half-marathon, we took a long weekend down south for an overdue visit with friends, a long weekend in Squaw Valley with Travis's parents, numerous summer trips to Mi Wuk Village with both sets of parents, played toursests in San Francisco, celebrated Laura's first birthday, heard that she's going to be a big sister in March of 2008, and adopted Elvis!  Wow, when I write it all down, I realize we really did do a lot this year!  The best part is how much of our year we were able to spend with friends and loved ones.  That in and of itself is a blessing.  I am starting the new year with a heart full of love and a renewed feeling of patience.  I hope you are all looking forward to 2008 as much as I am!  Happy New Year :)

Tanner's "clothes"

Yes, in the previous picture, the dogs are wearing clothes.  As some of you know, Tanner is a slight dog.  He's a mere 43 pounds, while Belle weighs in at 58 pounds.  When we take him to the mountains, he shivers- a lot. Because of this, I bought him a nice leather jacket last year for Christmas.  He LOVES the jacket... whenever we pull it out he runs over and sits down so we can put it on him.  We joke about how he's a little bit feminine (Belle's the strong alpha in our family) and he loves to get dressed up.  No matter, we love Tanner for being Tanner.  This Christmas, Sara, Travis's sister told us she bought a jacket for the dogs to share, so they'd each have a winter coat.  Imagine our surprise when we open the jacket and it's pink...with a fur-lined collar.  We laughed and put it on Belle.  Being that she's over 10 pounds heavier than Tanner... it didn't fit!  We couldn't even keep it buttoned!!!  We all had a good laugh at that and we put it on Tanner.  We're a open family- who cares if Tanner wears pink, right?  It's just a color.  The picture in the previous post shows Tanner in "his" new jacket and Belle in the hand-me-down leather one.  As long as they're warm, they are city dogs, after all ;)

Here are pictures of each dog in the same coat...  look how small it is on Belle!!!  We have to keep the hood off most of the time because Belle tries to bite the fur.  Thanks for the jacket Sara!

 

Christmas

Christmas came and went so quickly for us this year.  We spent Christmas Eve at my sister Hayley's house with her husband's family, Christmas morning with my dad's side of the family in Hilmar, and Christmas afternoon with Travis's family in Mi Wuk Village.  It was great seeing everyone, although I would have liked to visit a little more with each branch of our family.  I took a handful of pictures and which will be posted as I edit them.  Here are a few of the early ones: Linda, Ed, Travis, and Sara; me, Travis, Tanner and Belle; and Hayley, Mac, and Laura on Christmas Eve (she's the subject of the majority of my pictures!)  It was great to spend time with loved ones.

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas!  Travis and I are both officially on "Winter Break."  We are going up to the mountains as soon as we pack and will be back sometime next week.  We are still deciding where we're going for New Year's Eve.  There is a good chance we'll be in Santa Cruz, there's a good chance we'll stay in the mountains, and there's a good chance that we'll come home and enjoy our house. If I haven't talked to you yet, I hope you have a wonderful holiday, spent in the company of loved ones, doing what is enjoyable to you.  I plan on taking many pictures over the next week so stay tuned!  Please travel safe, and in memory of my much missed grandpa, "Watch out for hijackers." 

Celebrations

I have finally uploaded my recent pictures to the computer so here are a couple from the last month or so. We had Thanksgiving at the cabin with both families. We also went to Santa Cruz to celebrate my defense and attended The Lynn's Christmas party. I was also able to visit with Brooke-something we have been talking about for a couple of months. I've been so busy with my thesis and she's been busy with the holiday season...she owns The Sock Drawer in SLO- stop by if you're in town!

Whoo-hoo!!!!

I have successfully defended! I was so nervous about the presentation, but my parents, Hayley, and Travis came to support me which helped calm me. I was asked three or four questions by the committee (they do this to everybody) and I was able to answer all of them immediately. One of my biggest fears was not having an answer ready, but I was able to answer all of them :)
One thing I didn't count on was how tired I would be this afternoon. I am physically and mentally exhausted. I have to stumble through work tomorrow and then I plan on sleeping most of the weekend away. Two and a half years, presented in one day...I am so happy, I don't have words for it. Thank you for you calls and well-wishes Sara, Brooke, Jen, Sarah, Brighid, and everyone else! I think it helped!!!

Thursday it is!

I am defending on Thursday! I'm so excited! I spent all day yesterday creating my PowerPoint and I got a little case of the butterflies when it was done :) It was hard to go to sleep and I woke up nervous! It's good nervous energy, but it's still nervous energy. I think this is going to be the longest week of the year- I want tomorrow to be Thursday so I can be DONE with this thesis. Anyway, I think Travis and I will be in Santa Cruz this weekend, celebrating. Give us a call if you want to join us!