MOM'S DAY

Gimme that duck!

On Sunday, we spent some time with my family at my parents house. We got there a little late so that Andrew could sleep in and make it to his first family dinner in months.

I feel like this should be a picture of Mason, my mom, and his mom... oh well!

It was nice to be around everyone for the day, but I think seeing Mason is my favorite. I actually forgot to take pics of anything but him.

All of the aunts trying to say goodbye at the same time!

Now that my Mom knows, I can finally share what we got her. For a combined Mother's Day/birthday gift, we are getting family pictures taken! We will have our photo session the night before her birthday, and I think we will all go out for dinner afterwards. I can't wait!

PAGE TURNER

Jake & Lady Ashley +

Well, I finally finished The Sun Also Rises, and it's about darn time. I know Hemingway is classic, but I couldn't help but be bored the entire time. Someone once told me that life is too short to read books you don't like. Although I can agree with that statement, I also feel like I owe it to the book to power through. So, there you go.

Even though the last one was kind of a dud, I will not give up on my classics! We have quite a few good ones up on our shelves (thanks to Andrew!), and I plan to alternate between something more modern and easy going and something more old school. I just really feel like I need to get these under my belt so that when someday when I have children I can tell them that "YES, I have read those books!" I'll keep you posted.

Now that the weather is warming up, I am really looking forward to being able to sit outside and read. Coby and a good cup of coffee usually accompany. It's the best kind of way to spend a weekend morning.

What is your favorite classic? What are you reading now?

WATCHDOG

I wanted to post about all of the walks that Coby and I should be taking right now, but that isn't the case...

Lately, Coby has been having a lot of soreness in his joints. He frequently shifts his weight, whines when he lays down or gets up, and flinches if you rub near his front leg. Poor guy! We did started him on a glucosamine regimen and got him an extra large bed with memory foam (spoiled!), and we hope it helps.

Coby was able to take a trip with me before he started feeling crumby. Last Friday, Coby played office watchdog with me at work. He loved it! I'm so glad he came.

Right now, he is staying with gma and gpa while Andrew and I take a short trip to KC with friends. My parents just love spending time with the grandkids! Have fun buddy!

NEW SPECS

I feel ridiculous taking a pic of myself.

Well, I finally got some new glasses! They weren't the Warby Parker's I had picked out, but I think they will do for now. Definitely a change from what I had before.

Tonight, Andrew and I will head out for a few drinks to wind down a long week. I don't have to work tomorrow (hooray!) and it will be nice to just sit down without distractions.

I'm so glad the sun is shining today. I have been battling a cold for the last couple of days, and I think the sunshine helps. Also, tea with honey. Maybe it's in my head, but I think it heals me faster than anything else.

Need some laughs? This video brings a smile to my face. I hear that laughter is the best medicine (along with sunshine and tea with honey)!



That's what is happening in my life. What have you been up to?

94 YEARS YOUNG

On Sunday, we celebrated Pop's birthday with a family get together at Pizza King. It was so nice to get everyone together, and I think Pop's really appreciated it.

The birthday cake I made for him!

It's hard to believe that he is now 94 years young! I can't wait to celebrate many, many more birthdays with him. Happy birthday to one swell guy!

PACKERS SURPRISE!

After visiting the Packer's stadium and game this last winter, I knew I had to sign Andrew up for the Packer's season ticket waiting list. We finally got our letter in the mail this week!

We are #107,212. It sounds like a lot, because it is. We will be able to purchase two season tickets in about 60 years. Andrew seemed skeptical that we would make it that long. C'mon! I will make sure that I hold those tickets in my hand before I die!

We will then pass them along to our children, and they better be forever grateful. If only Andrew's parents would have done this 20 years ago!

APRIL UPDATES

This pic of Coby has been cracking me up lately!

Reading: I know I haven't done a general update since January... I know! But now that I am FINALLY done reading a Dances with Dragons, I thought it was about time. Although I'm really excited to be done (for the time being) with this series, I also feel a sense of loss. Where are my characters? What are they doing? When is the next book coming out? So many questions! At least now I have time to read other things, like Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises. I'm 100 pages in, and I'm not impressed. Maybe my opinion will change by the end, or maybe I will have to endure another 150ish pages of weird dialogue.

Watching: Breaking Bad. Andrew and I are a whole season behind. That's what not having cable does to a person. We are slowly catching up, but we also want to watch the episodes together which means about one episode every week...

Listening to: Mountain Man, Idiot Wind, Birdy. That is some good stuff right there!

Thinking about: How the heck I can get more people interested/involved in/excited about/donating to Coby's Cause... I think I might have set my expectations a little too high, but I won't give up. Got to keep on chugging along!

Loving: The free rain barrel that I got from the city! I can't wait to get it set up and figure out all of the fun things that I am going to use the water for... Also, Calypso has been extra cuddly lately. She is really becoming my lap kitty.

Looking forward to: Planting a garden and using my rain barrel to water it! Andrew and I are trying to figure out what will work best for us. Traditional v. raised bed v. container gardening. Lots of decisions. I originally thought container gardening, but I really think I want to go for the raised bed. The benefits seems to really outweigh the other two. If you have any insight on this, I would love to hear it!

Also, Pop's birthday is on Sunday. He will be 94! We are having a small get together for him, and I'm excited to celebrate with family.

Making me happy: Thinking about the gift we got my mom for Mother's Day! My brother and sisters/sister-in-law went in together and got her a pretty b.a. gift. Only about a month until I can finally talk about it! Wanna guess what it is, Mom?