Our one and only holiday party!

Andrew and I did not get invited to any holiday parties this year, but Teenie got invited to one! Teenie is part of a dachshund club in the Tri-Valley area and always gets invited to fun events. LuLu got an invitation too since she has half-sister doxie blood now! We met at one of the member's houses in San Ramon and partied like animals. There was great food, doggie activities, and lots and lots of dog treats.

Here are the pics:

The party started inside where toys were being handed out like gifts.

We migrated outside for a game of "bobbing for hot dogs." LuLu was the only dog who put all fours in the water bucket! That'a girl.

More hot dog chaos.

There were about 12 doxies total who came to the party. Yes, the white one is purebred.

I am really surprised both our dogs didn't get sick considering LuLu ate about 4 hot dogs and Teenie ate her fair share of doggie treats.

P.S. Teenie chased the homeowner's cat under the deck and got into a huge fight. Teenie got cut up pretty bad on her ear and head. I thought she would learn, but it only made her more aggressive towards the cat. I guess we aren't the best guests!

Happy Doxie Holidays!

DiscoBay Christmas Parade

Last weekend was Discovery Bay's water parade. The yacht club's memebers put on a water parade where they decorated their yachts with Christmas lights. It was very fun and too bad we don't belong to the club because the after party sounded mighty wild! They set off fireworks which sent LuLu into a two hour panic attack!

Aden's family joined us in watching the parade. Now Aden says, "Teenie, LuLu, Mom, Dad, Nanny, boat, Santa, dance." Then Aden says, "Santa crazy" and throws his arms around while hissing to display how Santa went crazy dancing on the boats! Sometimes Andrew is thrown into the story too!

P.S. The dragon on the "castle" yacht actually blew out smoke!

Christmas Time Around DiscoBay

Here is our Christmas tree (I will fix the leaning star at the top today)!

Here is our mantle. The wreath is from my Nana and Grandpa (thanks again).

Aden's family came over last weekend for dinner. He helped me open their housewarming gift.

Aden's family gave us this beautiful wreath. We moved the wreath down a few inches (good try honey) to cover the peep hole. We are the only house for blocks that doesn't have Christmas lights up. Next year.

Costume Carnival

Every semester at Jessica's school they throw a costume carnival. The school pays a bunch of models to model for a day according to some theme, and all of the students get to draw and photograph the models and just practice their
craft.

I got to tag along, and had a blast. I can't wait for the next time, as its rare that you get to spend 20 minutes working on one shot with the model not moving (or complaining!)

The theme this year was Rock and Roll, and it turned out really well. I didn't spend much time in the Elvis or Madonna rooms; rather I focused on the big room with 4 models going at once. A little more action :)

I put a few of the pictures I took on this story, and you can see the rest over here:

http://hurstdog.org/gallery/?album=Costume_Carnival_1204

(Post a comment if you can't view the gallery, I'm trying out a new format for it.)

'Tis the Season

HAPPY DECEMBER 1ST!!!

This is my favorite month and I am beaming with holiday cheer (all you Bah Humbugs better run now). Andrew and I stopped by a Christmas Tree farm in Merced on our way home from Andrew's parent's house. We could pick any tree for $25. What a deal! I chose our tree based strictly on height alone. It may have some big gaps, but man is she tall!

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend

I know it is Friday, but Happy Thanksgiving to all of our friends and family (okay, how about Happy Thanksgiving Weekend). We went to my parent's house for a wonderful Thanksgiving and I am now writing you from Oakhurst, Ca. Andrew's parents live up here and we are looking forward to a snowy forecast. We may not see snow, but we will know it is just up the road. Enjoy your weekend.

Painting Finished For Now

Hooray. We finally finished painting our front rooms! Here is our scorecard:

Kicthen=finished
Family Room=Finished
Living/Dining Room=Finished
Andrew's Office=Finished
Laundry=Finished

What's left:
Master Bedroom
Guest Bedroom
Guest Bathroom
Hallways eventually

Here are some before and after pictures.

BEFORE

AFTER

The inbetweens:

By the way, we are adding chair railing between the two colors. The color isn't that dark either when you see it in person. Curtains will help a bunch too.

Shannon's New Best Friend

Move over LuLu because Shannon just got a new sewing machine! Yipppppeeee. I came across some money pet sitting and I thought I should treat myself to a new sewing machine. This way, I can really get cooking with my quilting!

Here she is:

It is a Janome (Japanese designed, made in the U.S.) that I bought in Antioch. I had never heard of Janome, but the shop owner swears by them. She had some previous trouble with the Pfaff sewing machines and fell in love with Janome when she had to find a new line. I love my new sewing machine and it is super fun to use!

If you don't hear from me, I am in my new sewing room. Yup, guest room begone...make room for Shannon's sewing room. Okay, so I will convert it when guests come. I still want friends!

Check it out online: http://www.janome.com/products.php
You will need to CLICK ON MACHINES and click on DC3018 D�cor Computer Machine

New Side Tables

I picked up a few side tables for our bedroom last night. I got them at a great price too (both for $30). They are a bit nicked up here and there, but they are perfect for now!!!

Also, my fish made the move safely. I wouldn't bore you with stories about my fish, but these fish have lived forever. I got them back in college at Davis! They have survived Davis, Sacramento, Livermore, and now Discovery Bay water. Keep up the good work fishies! P.S. They now have a zen theme too...why not cut down the clutter in the fish tank too.

House and Dog Updates

Here are some updates. Sorry we haven't been posting regularly, we have been very busy! I repainted half of the kitchen because the orange was a bit too much. There is color therapy and then there is COLOR therapy!!! We will be adding white, wood chair railing where the colors meet.

Andrew and I bought a new painting tool at a flea market for $5.00. It's awesome! You fill the handle with paint (I finally bought eco friendly white paint) and press the lever and out squishes paint onto the wall. It is a bit heavy, but beats dipping a roller into the paint tray over and over. I highly suggest it.

Here are some LuLu and Teenie updates:

LuLu is fitting in perfectly with our family. She is very smart and sneaky! She uses her paws to open my backpack (yes zipped closed) to finish off boxes of raisins I accidentely left in there for baby Aden. I bought a new Bissell carpet cleaning machine for our carpet because the doggies have definitely claimed that section of the house as theirs!!! They are getting really good at using the doggie door, but I think they smell the dog who lived here before us? LuLu is very loving and has gained top dog status over Teenie. Sorry Teenie, but I didn't think those short legs would hold out for long.

A weekend of work!

This past weekend my parents came up to Shannon and I's new house to help paint and make the place our own. And after all that work, we're going to be really sore tomorrow!

Saturday morning we started off with a trip to Home Depot, Kelly Moore Paint, Target, and of course Starbucks. We didn't stay long though, we had to get home and get to work. My Dad and I started on fixing the front door lock while Shannon and my Mom started painting the office.

Soon after my Dad and I replaced the faucet in the kitchen sink as well, then got into painting. Altogether we were working/painting/shopping for 14 hours on Saturday and another 2 of touch-up on Sunday morning. We finished the office (light brownish beige color), the kitchen (Orange!), and the family room (light grey with a greenish tint).

I put some pictures of the finished product below, and to see a gallery of all of us working click the link below.

The painting weekend gallery.

I want to thank my parents for the huge help this weekend. We have livable finished space in our house now, and it makes it that much more of a home. Thanks!

Halloween Weekend

Andrew and I had an eventful weekend. We don't have many pictures of ourselves, but some of what we did (okay mostly what I did).

First, I went to a baby shower for my friend Ifeoma's sister-in-law. I used to work with Ifeoma at Eden Housing. I was so happy to see her again, for she always makes me smile!

The Mommy-To-Be

Ifeoma's Daughter Ogena (I call her Organic Ogena)

Then we dressed the doggies up for Halloween. We were tired and exhausted so we recycled Teenie's costume from last year. Sorry if you all expected pictures of Teenie as a polynesian dancer. Next year!

And wonderful pics of Aden. I helped his family make his Garbage Man costume. Boy does that child love garbage trucks! His hat is from Livermore's Waste Management and says, "Service Machine."

More stories coming!

I promise new stories are coming soon. I have tried to post a story for the last two evenings, but something always happens with the computer. The server went down for maintanence right as I was uploading my last picture. I will try again tonight!

Family In Town

My Aunt and Uncle from Arizona, Brynn and Don, came and visited Sacramento a few weekends ago. Andrew and I drove up to have a wonderful lunch with the family. It was great seeing everyone and we (mostly the girls) talked about dogs, dogs, and more dogs. My Aunt and Uncle have a new Bull Terrier puppy at home named Tansy.

The boys discussing landscaping. My dad Tom, my Uncles Don and Richard.

My favorite Nana and Grandpa.

Lunch at my Grandpa's golf club.

My Aunt Constance's chihuahua Kate.

Kate can actually climb up my Aunt's body!

Kate knows a good Granpa when she sees one.

Girl talk at my parent's house with Aunt Brynn

Can't wait to see all of you in the summer!