Cabin Fever

We spent a couple of days at our cabin last week.  I love going to the cabin because it is such a vivid reminder of my childhood.  I love the sound of the river and the way the aspen leaves glisten in the sunlight.  I love the way the screen door squeaks and bangs every time someone goes in or out.  I also love being there because the setting is so beautiful.  I swear the sky is bluer there - and you wouldn't believe how the stars fill up the sky at night.  It is all breath taking.

My kids love going to the cabin because it is as close as they can get to "living like pioneers."  Seriously, the cabin is about a half-step up from camping, so life is pretty rustic when we are at the cabin.  It is a chance for them to be adventurous and daring and to get as muddy and dusty and dirty as they want.  And I do my best to not care one bit if they are filthy.

We had a great time together.  The kids floated on the river with Aunt Laura.  The water was freezing but they didn't seem to mind as they took turns jumping in and splashing around.

Andrew helped the kids catch a water snake.  

When I was younger I loved catching snakes but somehow,  

now that I'm older, the novelty of that adventure has worn off. 

Way off.

We took a family bike ride around the ranch.

Even Minnie got in on the ride.

We roasted hot dogs over the fire and ate dinner in the great outdoors.

Doesn't food always taste better that way?

(Check out the filthy feet on that boy - didn't even faze me.)

When it got dark, we sat around the campfire, roasted marshmallows and told scary stories.

And when it was really dark, we watched the full moon come up over the mountains.

It was a great couple of days.  We always come home from the cabin filthy and exhausted but very happy.

Ahh, Summer!

An Announcement

It's about this time of year, every two years, that I make the announcement: a new baby is on its way.  It's been like clockwork really, so no one is really surprised when they hear it.  But this year, things are different and no such announcement will be made.

Our announcement this time around is of a different sort - or at least a different sort of baby.

Announcing the newest member of our family:

Minnie Rose

born: May 21, 2010

current weight: about 2 pounds

Now this isn't our first foray into puppydom.  

Back in the summer of 2004, I figured it was a great time for a puppy.  My thinking was that Abby and Isaac were the perfect age to get a dog, and I knew there wouldn't be another baby for awhile.  So, I did my homework, and chose a "schnoodle" (half schnauzer, half poodle.)  We got him at the end of August and Abby named him George (pronounced Gorge.)  He was so cute and such a good dog.  We were thrilled.

However, it didn't take me long to realize a couple of things.  

1.) I was pregnant.

2.) Three-year-olds are no good at taking care of a puppy.  One-year-olds are even worse.

3.) Morning/noon/night sickness doesn't really combine with trying to house-break a puppy.

4.) Getting a puppy while your husband is in residency and doing his neuro-surgery rotation is a really bad idea.

When I discussed the idea of getting a puppy, these two assured me 

they were ready and eager to help.  August 27, 2004

(For the record, those are the breeder's shoes.)

We made it until November with our puppy, and then in an act of desperation, I called my parents and begged, cried and pleaded until they decided that they really needed a puppy in their home.  And so, my parents adopted George and he has loved every minute of life ever since.  It worked out really well for us too.  Whenever someone asked our kids if they had a pet, they said "Yes, we have a dog.  But he lives with our Grandma and Grandpa." 

Over the past couple of years, George just hasn't been enough though.  Abby has been asking for a dog on a weekly basis for the past 18-months.  She even wrote a heart-felt letter to Santa when I was still pregnant with Lucy, begging for a puppy.  Santa was kind enough to let Abby know that it wasn't the right time, but gave her a puppy book so she could start figuring out what kind of dog she wanted.

Well two weeks ago, while perusing the classified ads on KSL looking for a good deal on a refrigerator, I came across a completely unrelated ad.  It was for a puppy, a darling miniature schnauzer, and I knew she had to be part of our family.  I showed the ad to the kids, and of course, they fell in love immediately.  And then I brought it up with Andrew - first as a joke, then as a hypothetical and then I applied the real pressure.  It didn't take long before he caved.

Yesterday we all piled into the car and drove to Nephi to pick up the newest member of our family.  When they first pulled her out of the crate we were shocked at how tiny she was.  Bitsy.  Itsy-bitsy.  But we were in love immediately.   How could we not be?  She is adorable!

Abby and our long-awaited puppy.

Minnie is the sweetest girl.  All the kids adore her.  And now, six years after our first attempt, Abby and Isaac really are the perfect age to get a puppy.  They are responsible and conscientious about her care and her schedule and most of all, they LOVE her.  (Frankly, it doesn't matter if they aren't "the perfect age."  This time around my parents have already asked me to remove their names from my speed dial, so it's gotta work.)

Best of all, any doubt Andrew had about getting a dog disappeared when he found out that he and the puppy share a birthday.  What a delightful coincidence!

We are all thrilled to welcome another girl to the family!

Lucy, our tiny daughter with Minnie, our much-tinier dog.

Henry and Minnie

Isaac getting kissed.

Peter being gentle.

P.S. We had a tough time deciding on her name.  Finally, we had it narrowed down to Minnie and Rosie and while twelve neighborhood kids were gathered here to meet the dog, Abby conducted a vote.  The result:  Minnie Rose.  We love it.

Hey Soul Peter!

Peter sings "Soul Sister" by Train