Story Time

Wordless Wednesday: Full Lap

Go Vikes!

When Glenn's family was here over Christmas, we went to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the game (since if the Cowboys or Redskins are playing, our wonderful midwest teams don't get any air time). Everyone wass decked out in purple for the game so we had to take a picture!

Now I have my very own Smith #22 jersey (thanks Mom and Dad!) to wear for tomorrow's game although it is a little tight this season. I think it will fit better next season. :)

Also, I just noticed that Stella photobombed this picture. :)

Family Photos

Last weekend, Glenn and I got family/maternity pictures taken. I'm really happy with how a few of them turned out! You'll have to wait for our Christmas cards to see a few more, but here is one of my favorites. I think I'm going to order a canvas print of this one to hang in the baby's room.

What?

Where you planning on sleeping here too?

Lobster Monday

Glenn and a student flew up to Boston for the afternoon on a training flight and brought back fresh lobsters! (For $13 each!!!)

Stella wasn't so sure what to think, but Glenn and I thought they were delicious. The perks of having a pilot hubby aren't so bad!

Summertime

Summertime means a lot of things, unfortunately not summer vacation and a break from school/work, but this summer I am loving having my hubby around. It is the first summer we've spent together (minus a few weeks here and there) since 2008. That seems crazy, but it's true. I'm thankful we get to spend this summer together.

So far, summertime has meant a garden. I've never had much of a green thumb (unlike my mother and father), but my little garden has done pretty well. My tomato plants are literally 10 ft tall. The have surpassed the railing by the door! My first success was a yellow squash. Although, it has been my only squash because the plant got too heavy and broke. Oops. Glenn and I like to say that this year is a learning year. That is definitely true. Basil has been a huge success. I don't know what to do with all the basil. The cilantro, not so much. That went to seed almost immediately. The mint has also been a big success. Lots of mojitos!

Before the unbearable heat rolled in, we had several bonfires. I can't get enough of that smell. I just love having a patio and fire pit now. I missed it so much in Japan.

Garage sale-ing! I love a good garage sale. A few weekends ago, some friends and I hit up several garage sales and thrift stores in the area. I love a good deal. I walked away with a few books ($3.25), a bucket of buttons ($1), a 3-tiered fruit stand ($5), 35' metal tape measure ($1), c-clamp ($1), wire metal basket ($1) and a peg-hook thing for the closet ($3).

I'm sure I could have found several more things, but we ran out of time in the day. Glenn promised me we could go again in a few weeks as long as he got brunch out of the deal. I think I can handle that. :)

Relaxing! It's been nice to have visitors come see us in Virginia and just take it easy the rest of the time.

I think Stella likes having Glenn home too. And sleeping. I love my tiny puppy.

Happy summer! Can you believe it's almost August? I love summer and all the fun things to do, but I'm even more excited for the fall. Bring on the leaves and boots.

Our porch

If our patio wasn't evidence enough, we love spending time outdoors. When we are in town, we love sitting on our porch in the morning and enjoying a cup of coffee.

Our front door faces northish so it's shaded in the morning which is perfect for catching up on my emails and for Stella to watch the passerby.

Waiting

Stella is waiting near the door during Glenn's usual arrival time. Sorry baby girl, it'll be a few days. I think she likes him better than me. ;)

BedHog

More like dog though....somehow when Glenn is gone, Stella gets all the extra space.

Loungy Sunday

Just hanging out before Glenn leaves for a bit.

Stella likes it too

The new chair comes with a view!

Birthday Fun

Glenn finally got to use his birthday gift! After moving in to the house, he used his Home Depot gift card to purchase a Sawzall. I think he was pretty excited to finally have a chance to use it. The guys that built the fence left a few posts randomly tall. It looked pretty ghetto so Glenn cut them down.

Stella was curious, but less than helpful.

Also, do you like the neighbors teal blue door? It is an old door, with the door jam and all that they used as a gate. The people living next door are renting the place so I don't judge them. ;)

Sir Elton Dohm

Stella's best buddy, Elton, went to doggy heaven yesterday. He was the sweetest most cuddly dog ever. Most of all though, he made my dear friend, Ann, so happy.

I hope he's enjoying all the comfy couches up there. He is going to be missed SO much.

Since Stella is my first real pet, beyond fish, hamsters and lizards, I never knew what an impact animals can have on our lives until I was an adult. Now that I have Stella keeping me company during deployments, warm and cozy at night (and annoyed earlier than I would like) I don't think I could ever not have her around. My heart is breaking for Ann. I know how much she misses him and wish I could give her a big hug! Love you, buddy.

Camouflage

She's finally getting used to this hotel living which is good since we're looking at least a couple more weeks of it!

#5 Stella

Oh, I've missed target!

Happy Halloween!

Stella would last 2 seconds in this costume before she fought her way out of it, but I still love it! Maybe Stella should be an E2 next year....

Seriously

I finally have my hubby, my puppy and my new iPhone. What a wonderful day!

Combine that with my discovery of the Blogger app and that means a lot pd random posts coming your way! If only I had this in Japan for all of my Engrish sightings.

I'm so glad we decided to get the iPhone even though Glenn and I are being a little antisocial at the moment. This thing is seriously smart.

Cute pics of my jet-lagged puppy for now.

New Camera

I had a small point and shoot Canon powershot Elph camera that I loved. And lost. Damn.

So my wonderful hubby told me to go buy another one. Thanks, love! This one is also a Canon-power shot, but has a touch screen and several fun new modes. Stella got to be my model while I tested a few of them out.

 The vivid color mode was great for Taiwan and all of the beautiful Taoist Temples. This one is called kids and pets. Appropriate!

Stella's New Friend

This is our new neighbor, M, whom I watched for a few hours on Friday. Stella was not so sure what to think of her, but she did a lot of smelling and tasting. M on the other hand couldn't get enough of Stella. She couldn't take her eyes off her for a second!