OLD FRIENDS

The kiddos.
Thing 1 took this picture.
Ring a round the rosie. Alex, Autumn's oldest was such a good sport to play with the younger kids.

Some of my dearest friends are in town this week, which has made November just that much better. Krista and Autumn and I met for lunch at Gardner Village to see the elves and eat lunch. It was great watching the kids play together and for us to chat for a bit. Not nearly long enough of a visit.

Tahoe

Thing 1 and her cousins playing in the snow.


Getting warm again after a rough snow ball fight.
The girls loving on their papa. They had so much fun while they were there. Playing in the snow and swimming and playing with each other. Thing 1 loves to be with her cousins.

November is the first month that B does not have a single day of call and he even has 5 days off, not including weekends or Thanksgiving day or the day afterwards. So this month has been heaven sent for all of us. Last Friday we left to Reno when B was all done with work and Sat. morning headed to Tahoe. Thing 1 and my family were already at the lodge. They stayed there with us through the holiday and then B and I were all alone for a day or two till my mom brought Thing 1 back to us. It was such a nice break. A vacation away from home is so different then just hanging around the house. I wanted to get away so B didn't get the bug to do any painting and what not around the house. Not that I don't want to finish painting the living area, I just wanted to make sure B got some rest. He works so hard and I just love him so much.

Our anniversary is in Dec on the 21st, but since I won't be able to go anywhere far away we celebrated up in Tahoe. Everything was perfect. It snowed the weekend we got there but later in the week it was clear and even a bit warm. It didn't feel like middle of Nov at all. I can't believe we have been together for FIVE years. It seems like yesterday we got married but so much has happened since then. I love him even more now then I did back then and I didn't think that was possible.

WE SAW A BEAR!!!!!!

While we were there my mom was taking my niece Mikey to the clubhouse and when they got in the garage Mikey said, "Look, Nana, a bear!" Sure enough there was a bear. I always look out my car window like a little kid looking for a bear when we go to Tahoe, but till now I have never seen one. They ran back to the our condo and we watched him from the balcony. He sniffed around outside the parking garage for a bit then ran off down the hill. He was so cute. It was too dark to take a picture unfortunately. He was FAT, perfectly round and fuzzy. We were all on the watch after that though even more then usual just in case he came back. No matter how cute they are I prefer to be at a nice distance from them.

Bye Bye Bugaboo

Two weeks ago we moved Baloo to a farm down in Roosevelt. I know it is the best thing we could do for him and our family but I admit I miss him sooo much. My parents were in town for a day or two and they took Thing 1 with them to Reno. We were headed to Reno that weekend anyway on our way to Tahoe. It was perfect timing. Thing 1 left with Nana and Papa and Baloo and I left for the farm. He was too big to put in the back with Thing 1  He climbs all over her, she screams, he becomes enthralled with the noises and gets her more. There was no way I could drive three hours with that in the back of the car but I couldn't put it off any longer. The morning we were getting ready to leave he got her face and left his mark and I thought to myself, "well that is just the icing on the cake."

When Thing 1 left I told her to love on her puppy because who knows when you'll see him again. I know mean mom, not even telling her that he won't be here when she gets back in two weeks. I couldn't do it though to my parents more then anything. They were already taking her across the Nevada desert, DRIVING, the last thing I would want was for her to be screaming the entire way there about her dog being gone.

When I got home it was sooo quiet. It was eerie to be honest. No little Thing 1 running around and talking up a storm like she usually does and no dog Baloo either. I had 4 days all to myself. So what did I do? Shopped for Christmas. I am all done, at least for Thing 1  I have a few more things to do for extended family and one of Bri's gifts to get finished but other then that I have nothing else to worry about. They are even wrapped. What a nice feeling it is to be done. Normally I wouldn't do it this early but... it is hard enough doing shopping at 7+ months pregnant I know it will be worse at 8+. Not to mention that Thing 1 does NOT understand the concept of a secret. She tells Daddy EVERYTHING. So I had to do most of his shopping while she was gone as well.

Even with all the problems and safety concerns Baloo posed for Thing 1 and the new baby, I still miss my Baloo. When I come home I still expect to see him waiting for me and my heart breaks a little more when I remember he is gone.