Around the house

We've had a lot to do around here in the past few weeks, which is why I'm so awful at keeping you all updated.

Also, I had a quick, wonderful jaunt to New Orleans to visit a dear friend. I love Jackson Square!

We now have a lush, green lawn. Unfortunately, that lush, green-ness is not due to grass. It's due to weeds. We'll take whatever we can get :).

They look like little alfalfa sprouts!

Also, I saw this guy outside recently. What in the world.

I've been frantically trying to get the house ready for Thanksgiving and for Tony's parents to visit. Even though we've lived in the house since July, as of two days ago, there was not ONE picture/art anything aside from the TV hanging up on the walls.

Augh!

Well, we fixed up the guest room, so now it at least looks nice instead of a barren cell!

Instead of covering up the fireplace with an old wood palet, we decided to buy a real fire-place cover--a nice touch to the living room!

We're still working on hanging up family photos and other art we have collected over the years, hopefully it (along with a thorough cleaning and shopping for the Thanksgiving holiday) will get done before this Wednesday!

Fall in Escondido

Fall in Escondido has been a roller coaster. A few weeks ago, we had temperatures soaring up to 115F during the daytime, and some mornings, we will be in the mid 50s.

Very confusing for us, and for our plants. I hope hope hope my avocado tree survives, as it's looking a bit pathetic right now.

The puppers love all of the leaves in our backyard, though. They will dive headfirst and "swim" around, getting good and smelly. They've had their fair share of baths so far.

It is nice to see them so happy together, though.

Tony and I did a bunch of yard work this weekend, working on taking down the treacherous (and SPIDER FILLED) kid's play set that was a lawsuit just waiting to happen. We've also worked on eliminating all of the weeds that have overtaken the backyard (some were nearly as tall as me).

All in all, it was a very productive day, and the pups were SO happy to be outside with us for a few hours.

"ATAAAAAACK"

*Bonk*

Who has the upper-hand now, Ed?

Love them. Love fall!

Ed and Ralph are Home at Last

Man, puppies are tiring.

Saffron thinks they are REALLY tiring. And essentially resents their mere existence at this point. She's adjusting to them, though, and it's really cool to watch.

I'm overwhelmed by them, but they really do bring a lot of joy to our house.

Except when they decide to be little heathens. They are actually really good in public, though, and didn't cause any trouble when we went to the vet the first time yesterday.

They did manage to stop all pedestrian traffic and make grown men talk like babies. I guess they are more powerful than I expected...

Here are a few pictures of the puppies, more of Ralph than Ed, simply because Ed is NEVER still. Oy.

Ralph:

Ed:

The boys:

More Family Photographs

Hey everyone!

Tomorrow, the puppies arrive.

I am so excited. Perhaps that's why I've had insomnia for the past few nights, but I like to think that's associated with work, or anything else that makes me unhappy. I don't want to associate the joy machines with late night TV, and crying to Saffron during the wee morning hours.

I wanted to share a few photos I took over the weekend of a friend of mine and her family. I think I enjoy taking pictures of kids more than I ever imagined I would! Insomnia does have a positive our

Here are a few family shots:

The real joy was definitely taking pictures of the kiddos!

Have a great week, everyone!

The Joy Machines

Tony and I have decided to get some puppies.

We wanted two, and we wanted them to be brothers. We wanted them to be companions, not only to us, but to each other as well.

We went to a golden retriever breeder (say that three times fast) outside of Temecula, CA, and fell in love.

Tony's pick was a little guy who's incredibly ornery, full of vigor (translate: an energy demon), and is already attached at Tony's heels.

We named him Ed.

My pick was the runt of the litter. He's noticeably smaller (and more of a red head!) than Ed.

He's incredibly sweet, and was content to just play in my lap.

We're naming him Ralph.

They're only 6 weeks old right now, but in a week from Wednesday, we'll travel back up there and bring them home. I'm SO excited. And scared. But mostly excited...

Ed and Ralph. Together, forever.

Lamey McLamerson Here

I'm sorry I haven't posted in so long.

I've been tired. And busy teaching myself how to knit. I'll post pictures of that soon.

Until then, here's a random assortment of stuff from my life:

Saffron enjoys watching the birds out of our bay windows. She doesn't realize some of the crows around here are bigger than her...

We bought a gigantic compressor that's as old as my dad. I slept in the back of the truck the whole time Tony was purchasing it. I really wasn't interested in buying a vintage submarine that weighs a metric ton. Literally.

The only pretty flowers in our yard are spilling over from the neighbor's fence.

Although, the weeds are even starting to look pretty compared to the dirt.

WE HAVE AVOCADOS PEOPLE. And lots of 'em. I have no idea how they taste.

Our 3rd Anniversary

Well, you know you're out of the "newlywed" phase when you and your husband both suggest foregoing any anniversary presents :). Surprisingly, I find it comforting.

We have a house.

And a cat.

And family.

And friends.

We are blessed beyond belief.

I feel so lucky to have married Tony. He is the best husband a girl could ask for. Sure, we all have our shortcomings, but with the big things--he is absolutely perfect.

I spent a few evenings earlier this week looking through all of out wedding photos--it was such a happy time! I felt the renewed blessings and love coming from friends and family.

Thanks to all of you who support us, day in and day out. Without your love and commitment, we would be in a much different place today.

And just to keep you laughing...

Bet you can't look at that picture without smiling :)!