Walter Update

Walter is growing fast! He weighed 21.5 lbs on August 5th and we are pretty sure he has put on 8-10 lbs since then. We are almost done with our first 18 lb bag of dog food. The boy loves to eat!

He knows sit, shake and down. Although he doesn't always obey. He is potty trained... knock on wood. He now knows to sit at the back door when he needs to go outside, which we are very excited about!

All in all he is a good puppy. His sleep schedule is still a little annoying. He is usually up at least once during the night (sometimes more) to go outside. Going back to sleep isn't always his favorite, but he is learning.

Monday is a big day for Walter. He is getting NEUTERED!! We've been preparing him for the big day, but I don't think its hit him yet. :) He is also having his dew-claws removed on his hind legs. They are normally removed at birth, but not Walter's. There is no bone in the hind dew-claws. We were told they could can catch and rip off if we do not have them removed.
It is going to a long day for the little guy. Dylan has the privilege of picking Walter up tomorrow night. We are hoping for a speedy recovery because we are going to the lake for Labor Day weekend. Hopefully we will be able to continue our swimming lessons.

Here are the latest photos from our Sunday at the park.






XOXO,
T

Promises to Keep

I am struggling to get back in to reading mode. I'm not one to sit by the lake with a book in hand. (That's what magazines are for.) Normally I get my books from library, but I decided to stop in Half-Price Books the other day and found a few new ones to get me back in the groove.

Promises to Keep is Jane Green's most recent book. I've been reading her books since I was in high school. Her books are very easy reads. The story lines are almost always about love and relationships. Let's just say I'm a sucker for "chicklit" books. This book did not disappoint. Here is the synopsis:

Callie Perry has a pretty perfect life. It may not be everyone’s idea of happiness – her husband spends more time traveling for his job as a commercials director than he does at home – but it works for her. It gives her time to work – she is a successful family photographer – and be around for her two kids, and her friends. She lives in Bedford, New York, is beloved by all who know her, and wakes up every morning grateful for how happy she is.

Her younger sister, Steffi, the baby of the family, has never grown up. In her early thirties and the epitome of a free spirit, she’s never held down a job, or a boyfriend, for longer than six months. Her latest incarnation is as a vegan chef. She’s living with the latest unsuitable man, in a sixth floor walk up in Soho, and her parents have almost given up hope that she’ll ever learn what it is to be responsible.

Lila Grossman is Callie’s best friend. Single, she’s finally met the man of her dreams. Ed has a son she adores, a crazy ex-wife she doesn’t, and she finally feels ready to settle down. If, that is, their goals are the same.

And then there are Callie and Steff’s parents. Walter and Honor . Divorced for almost thirty years, they haven’t spoken for most of that time. They may share two grown-up daughters, but it is agreed by all who knew them, they share little else.

Until they all receive a shocking phone call that changes their lives forever, and brings them all together one short, snowy winter.

Promises to Keep is about the hard choices we sometimes have to make; about having to be a child, long after you’ve grown up, and mostly, about the enduring nature of love.

As you can see it definitely has the lovey dovey stuff, but I it also had a serious side. I'm not going to tell you what the "shocking phone call" is, but it I will tell you I shed a few tears towards the end. Prepare yourself for a emotional read about family, love and loss.

xoxo,
T

Meet Walter

Walter is the newest addition to our household. We found this cutie on Petfinder.com. He was described as a Mastiff/Boxer mix, but we've decided he's definitely a "Boxador."

Boxer/Labrador Mix: Pretty close don't you think?

We brought him home Wednesday night. So far he is a great puppy. We made it through the first few nights just fine. (No major potty issues!) So far he understands "sit" and is currently working on "shake." His dad is hoping to teach him some pretty difficult tricks in the near future, i.e., "get me a beer."

We just got back from his first weekend at the lake. The family (including dogs) loved him, but how can you not!?! He was a little hesitant to get in the water, but that's a work in progress. His weekend pretty much included play, sleep, eat, play, sleep, eat, and so on. Gotta love the life of a puppy. I'm sure we will see some change in his behavior as he gets use to his new home.

Here are a few photos from Walter's first 5 days with us.

Naptime in the grill cover. He will curl up anywhere.

He is going to be a beach baby.

More nap photos.

At 8 weeks old, Walter is already 21.5 pounds. I will keep you posted on his growth and development.

xoxo,
T

"Say Yes to the Dress" Day

Last weekend I had the privilege of going wedding dress shopping for my sister, Lauren. I'm sure she will be the center of many blog posts throughout the next year. We heard from many people that Cincinnati had a great bridal district and they were right. It could use some work (the economy isn't helping much), but they pretty much have everything you need... bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, flower shops, Mother of the Bride dresses and more!

Lauren and I

Reading Bridal District with Lauren and Mom

We started the day at Bridal and Form. Unfortunately, they do not take appointments on Saturdays so we made sure we got there right when the doors opened. We had a wonderful consultant names Mora and their dress selection was huge! After two hours of trying on all types of dresses, Lauren narrowed it down to two.

We then moved on to European Bridal. Lauren had an 11:30 appointment with a consultant one of her friends recommended. Their selection was a lot smaller, but still beautiful. Nothing quite looked as good as the two dresses back at Bridal and Formal.

So an hour later we were back at the first shop making the BIG decision. We decided to get a third opinion by showing one of Lauren's friends on the shop's webcam. Both dresses looked AMAZING on Lauren. After trying them on 2 or 3 more times, she finally decided. Of course I can't show you the photos, but in a year I will definitely share them with the world! :)

After lots of hugs, tears and photos we said goodbye to my mom (she had a wedding back in Indy) and went out to celebrate!

James made the trip over later in the day to help celebrate "Say Yes to the Dress" Day. (He came up with that.) We finished the exciting day at Nada. It just doesn't get much better than that!

XOXO,
T

Dylan's Latest Obsession

Dylan found this online and made me watch/listen to it about a million times. I must admit, it is a little funny.


Who knows what this guy is on when he filmed this. ha

And now I get to hear my boyfriend sing this song over and over...


Fabulous.