Off to Washington

Camryn brushing my hair!

Camryn, Me and Cal

Rocking 3D glasses

My next stop was Pasco, Washington to see my family for Christmastime. The first thing was take Camryn to the movie Tangled. It was so fun to see her in those glasses and have her sit at the end of her seat. Being 3 1/2 years old she still doesn't have the gift of whispering so whenever she was curious about something she would talk really loud over the movie to make sure I heard her! The night Camryn and Calvin where there and I had so much fun playing with them! It is amazing how fast they grow up!

Christmas in California

This year I had two amazing Christmases! My first stop was with Travis's family in Fresno, California! It was non-stop fun from the time I got there! Susan made great food, and we literally shopped till we dropped! It was Ryan, Susan, Gordon and I every night just eating and laughing together. It was so nice to be in a big city where there were real stores! I was a little overwhelmed and probably would have bought everything but was constricted due to suitcase size! It was a short trip but I loved every minute of it and am so thankful to have such a great family!

Pool Party Part 2

The pool

Henry pulling Londyn through the pool

Londyn, Travis and Henry playing together in the deep end

Jane and Shadow playing fetch. Jane is four days away from her scheduled C-section.

Well it was time for the dogie day swim. We went with Jane, Londyn their dogs (Shadow and Sugar) and our neighbor Jessie and her dog Buddy. It was a beautiful day for a dogie swim. Like expected Charlie hated every bit of it and spent most of the time swaddled like a baby basking in the warm sun. Travis, Londyn and Henry all played together in the deep end. The cutest thing was watching Henry and Londyn play together. Londyn would throw the ball and then grab Henry's tail as he ran to get it. It was like a cheap dolphin ride. All of us enjoyed the entertainment and Henry seemed to enjoy the company.

Fair and Rodeo

Watching the rodeo

During the rodeo there was an event called cattle shuffle. They had all the kids come on the arena and chase calves around. It was pretty funny to watch!

Here is me and BambieTravis and the random camel at the rodeo

Travis and I love the fair...mostly for the food. I can't resist the hand dipped corn dog. We left around seven and didn't get to the fair until close to eight. Mind you it usually takes about 15 minutes but due to the high volumes of cars and by that I mean everyone in Leesville driving to the fair it took a lot longer. Driving up to the fair there were noticeable differences. The first was that the parking lot was just a big bumpy field full of mostly trucks. When we got into the fair it was much smaller than the fairs I am used to. It is also weird to go to the fair and see so many people you know. After we ate our corndogs we decided to look at the live stock. Travis and I loved looking at the chickens! We finally made it into the rodeo which was our favorite. We caught about half of the rodeo; which was the calf tying, barrel racing, and bull riding. We didn't call it a night without getting a funnel cake and walking around looking at all the rides. It was a great night!

Leesville Parade

This week in Leesville the fair, rodeo and parade all took place. I had no idea that a rodeo and small fair could be such a big deal, but I guess when there is not much to do it becomes the biggest event for the whole town! The first thing was the parade on 3rd street. Parades in Louisiana are a very big deal! The street was packed with all types of people waiting for the floats, cars, and walkers to throw beads, candy, cups and more. I took Londyn with me along with Henry and Charlie for the big parade. I got there early and still had to walk blocks to find a place to stand. It was worth the wait though because Londyn loved it and got LOTS of candy!

At the end of the parade there were hundreds of horses. It was pretty amazing to see them all on the streets.

This is what Louisiana is all about, big camouflage trucks.

The pink flamingos (aka lots of old women in pink)

Londyn and a new made friend. The would run out together and then share the candy they scooped up or any other loot. It was pretty cute to watch them share and insist the other girl needed the tootsie roll more than them.

Londyn is that small white and pink girl out by the cars.

I had to set up ground rules at first because Londyn's technique was to run out in the road and stay out there. This wouldn't have been that big of an issue except for the fact she was picking up any piece of candy she could find like a starving orphan. When the other parents started looking around for her mom I called Londyn over and told her to only pick up two pieces of candy at a time. It didn't always work but the other parents stopped glaring at us. I was never taught parade etiquette, but am quickly learning the rules.

Events and Last Call

This is Charlie and Henry's paw prints. Everyone got to take their dogs prints home along with their goodie bags.

Me, Charlie and Travis

Cooling off in the pool is Shadow and Buddy

Son and Mom time!After all Henry's friends left Henry soon laid down to rest with his new ball, he was too pooped to party

Cake Time

After snacking we light the candle and let Henry with Londyn and Maddie's help blow it out his candle. The dogs devoured their cake.

Singing Happy Birthday to Henry
Henry could NOT wait to dig in...Oh to be one years old again :)
Brie, Josh and Gunny eating cakeJane, Thomas, Sugar and Lola eating cake the Louisiana style from the ground with your hands!
Buddy digging inCaught Charlie with his mouth full
These are the people cupcakes...I think everyone was relived when they saw there was cake for them.

YEE-HAW

Once the party started it didn't stop! Luckily all of Henry's friends liked each other. There was a lot of smelling butts or handshakes. Henry's was so happy to have his big back yard for the night to run and play with his friends. We had lots of food and entertainment never stopped with all the dog humping that occurred.

Everyone out on the field watching the dogs play. The dog in the pink is Delilah, white dog is Gunny, Henry is in the red handkerchief, the biggest black dog is Shadow and Buddy has the red hardness on.

Boy party with Shadow the big black dog, Henry with the handkerchief and Buddy peeking in on the picture.
Charlie hungry for a chanllenge
Sugar and Charlie bonding...I wish I knew what they were thinking.All the dogs bonding. It is Ace humping Buddy on the left with Henry watching and then Charlie humping Lola on the right. Jessie is just watching and making sure no one gets hurt in all this rowdy play.

Getting Ready to Party

Henry had asked for a Cowboy themed party since he is really into Toy Story right now. Henry's birthday wish was for a bigger back yard so all of his friends could play tag together (his favorite game). Travis and I spend all day cleaning and getting ready for all our guest. Jane and Londyn came over early to help put things together.
Maddie, Londyn and Henry excited to start the pool party, while Travis is putting up the final touches on the fence.

Londyn and Jane ready to party like animals

Henry wanted to make sure his friends knew how much he appreciated them coming over so he insisted on goodie bags, extra balls and a handkerchief so they could join in on the cowboy theme.

Henry's cake...It was peanut butter delight with peanut butter and bananas filling, vanilla yogurt and crumbled dog treats on top.

Yee-haw! Henry and I are ready to saddle up

Londyn given love to her friends

Londyn hugging her best friend, and it looks like either Charlie is smiling or chocking.

Henry's Birthday Day

Henry's birthday card from Meema. Henry sat quietly wagging his tail while I read his first birthday card to him

Things got even better when he realized there was a sweet treat inside the card

This weekend we celebrated our son, Henry's one year birthday. Although he is a dog I swear he had an extra bounce in his step all day because he knew it was his big day. He had a relaxing morning with his brother, Charlie, Travis and I. We were all surprised when Meema's birthday card showed up with a treat inside.
After his present from Meema I started getting ready for Henry's BIG birthday party.