Pack 196 Cub Scout Cake Auction

Since Owen is in 1st grade, he had the opportunity to join cub scouts this year. He was very eager to do so and has loved every bit of it. Two weeks ago, Pack 196 held their annual cake auction. Owen and Steve decided to make a marble cake, decorated like a baseball field. It was really hard for me to just sit back and watch the guys take over but it turned out really well. Owen ended up winning 2nd place in the Best Sports Theme category. We are VERY proud of him!

A Tribute to Buddy

Buddy....good ol' Buddy...what can I say about the basset hound whom LOVED to bark! He would bark at the wind; bark at a tree; bark at his own shadow! Even a bark-control collar didn't keep him from barking. Well...it did for the first bit but then he would get used to the high pitched sound and bark anyways! Buddy, though he may have been 3 1/2 years old, was still a puppy at heart. Whenever let out of his pen to run and play, he would always run and jump on Owen, wanting to play. Buddy would never go far; even when Missy tried to get him and Dot to wander down the road a bit!

This past Saturday, Buddy was killed. We do not know exactly what happened, but we speculate that he was attacked by a pit bull that has been seen in the area. Buddy wasn't just any ol' dog. He was Owen's dog. Owen loved that dog to pieces. He would talk to Buddy every time he was outside by the dog pen. Any time we were at the store, he wanted to get Buddy something, anything. He didn't care if Missy and Dot, the other two hounds, got anything; he was only concerned with getting Buddy something. Saturday afternoon we had gone into Rosenberg and had stopped by Petco. I wanted to just run in and get a couple of necessary items for our guinea pig. Well...on the way out, Owen insisted that we get Buddy some Valentine's doggy treats. We told him he could only get treats if he got enough for Missy and Dot, too. "Fine...but I get to pick out Buddy's treats!" So...we came home with treats. Well...Saturday night, Steve found that Buddy was missing. After much searching, Steve found him. Sunday morning we had to break the news to Owen. At first, he seemed to be ok. Well...I was WRONG! After church, Owen was in a very bad mood. I sent him to his room because I was tired of his behavior. After a few quick minutes of cooling off myself, I sat Owen on my lap and asked what was wrong and why he was acting the way he was. His response was, "Buddy died. MY dog died. I don't get to give him his treats." and then we both started crying. I will forever have that etched in my mind of when it finally hit Owen that Buddy is no longer with us.

Since this has happened, Owen has gone out to play with Missy and Dot every day after school. He takes both girls a few treats and chew bones. While they eat, both Owen and Eli talk to the girls and play around in the dog pen for a few minutes. It's odd how I don't remember Owen doing that when Buddy was with us. He would always stand on the outside of the kennel. Haha! Maybe its because he knew Buddy would jump on top of him. Who knows? Anyways...I just wanted to blog about this so that years down the road, Owen will be able to look back at this and see that he isn't the only one who misses Buddy...Mommy misses that loud barking dog, too!

We miss you Buddy. Rest in Peace
XOXOXO

A Day at the Zoo

We decided to spend the wonderful day outdoors on Saturday and headed to the Houston Zoo. Though a few of the animals were already getting settled into their new homes in the upcoming African exhibit, we still had a great time! Most of the animals were taking advantage of the wonderful weather and could be spotted taking a snooze in the sun! It was a great day and we can't wait for the new exhibit to open in December! We are ready to see the white Rhinos that were recently brought over from Africa!!!

Pumpkin Patch 2010

This past Saturday was the annual Theta Delta Pumpkin Patch in El Campo. I am proud to say that both boys cooperated for me quite well! No fussing over taking pictures or getting mad about having to take a picture with each other. It was very pleasant needless to say! We didn't stay long, though, because we had family pictures scheduled in Rosenberg. But, we were there long enough for me to snap lots of pictures and for the boys to pick out their favorite pumpkins!

Such handsome lil' men!  Gotta love when they get along together!!!!

Happy harvesting!

30 Day Shred - Day 2

Ok! So I was going to take off on the weekends and work out Monday-Friday. Things were extremely crazy yesterday so my buddy and I did the 30 day shred today. (Her first day, my second day) Anyways...I must say that I am not feeling as sore this evening as I did the first go around on Saturday! Also, at the end, I was panting and gasping for air. Not bad, I must admit! I will say, though, that I headed straight to the shower because I felt like a slick pig! That workout is HARD! My legs felt like jello by the end of the 20 minutes, but hey! that is a good thing, right?! I think I am going to incorporate walking into my workout routine so I can get more cardio in. We shall see how that goes! I am sure I will be sore tomorrow but I know that is a good thing....right?

Well...until tomorrow...or Thursday....Have a GREAT day!

30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels

Day 1

Well, I have taken the "30 Day Shred" challenge with Jillian Michaels. I just did Level 1 and am ready to pass out. My back is hurting, my legs are jello. (Guess I should have waited to do this when my pulled back muscles were better but who knows when that will happen.) For those of you not familiar with it, it is a 20 minute workout that starts with a 2 minute warm-up, three circuits of 3 minutes strength, 2 minutes cardio and 1 minute abs, and then a 2 minute cool down. After the first circuit, I was ready to quit. But, I endured the burn and kept going. After the 2nd circuit, I was ready to pass out. Forget the burn, I was ready to stop. However, I kept going. In the end, I hurt all over but I know it is a good hurt and burning because in 30 days, I will see results. Well, actually, I hope to start seeing results before 30 days. But....I need YOUR help! After today, I really don't know if I can do it again tomorrow and the next 29 days for that matter. Anyone out there want to take the challenge with me? I could really use an accountability partner on this!

Until tomorrow....have a great Saturday.

What to do? what to do?

So...Steve's birthday is tomorrow and I have NO CLUE as to what to get him. When I asked him, he said "gift cards to the Apple Store. I want to get an iPad." Well...I am NOT getting him a gift card; his family can do that! I want to get him something special. I need ideas! We went to the Astros game this past Sunday, which is something he wanted for his birthday. But...I hate for that to be his only birthday present. MAN! What do you get a husband for his 32nd birthday?! HELP!!!!