Halloween and other things...

It was our first Halloween in an actual neighborhood so we had a lot of kids at our house for trick or treating. However, I had to send Todd out to get more candy in the middle of the night since we actually ran out. Oh well, we'll be more prepared next year. There were some really good costumes this year. I think one of our favorites was a little boy dressed up as a chicken...a Tyson chicken to be exact. Very cute. Fletch even had a good time. Actually, he was quite freaked out by the doorbell constantly going off but got braver as the night went on. He would poke his head out into the hallway whenever we opened the door. I honestly think the kids were more interested in the puppy than the actual candy.

Fletch is adjusting well to his new home :) We are getting used to him too. His current obsession is leaves. He loves to chase them, run through them, and actually eat them if he gets the chance. It has been absolutely beautiful here this past weekend so we attempted to take him to the dog park but he's too young. 4 months is the magical number. Well, we ended up taking him on a decent walk that wiped him out for the rest of the day. Here are a few pictures from our recent adventures...

Fletch's "Heaven": A pile of leaves

Yeah, I know, pretty ridiculous for him to be wearing a t-shirt but we (or should I say I) couldn't find any costume for him to wear so it's his Halloween t-shirt

Too many trick or treaters for him! He was exhausted by the end of the night

We have a New Member of the Family!!

Well, we actually did it. WE GOT A PUPPY! Yep, that's right. We probably have been talking about getting a dog since the day we got married (well, even when we were dating). We both love dogs and have always talked about getting one when we have a home of our own. Well, that time has come now. So, we debated between multiple breeds. And, after having the "Tucker" experience, we decided that a puppy was the way we wanted to go rather than a more adult dog (call us selfish if you'd like). So, after many weeks of researching various dog breeders from coast to coast and going back and forth between a cavalier king charles spaniel and a golden retriever, we settled on a English Cream golden retriever. Our new little guy (not little for long) is so sweet and adorable. We love him and are excited to be his new "parents." Life with a puppy is a new experience and we are excited to have this experience!! Here are a few pictures of Fletch...

Happy parents

Sleeping the ride home away...

We got this huge bed at Sam's for him to grow into. He seemed to have just toppled over but he seems to really like his new bed

Cake Decorating 101

Well, today was full of new beginnings...cake decorating new beginnings that is. A friend of mine's son turned one this past week and today was his birthday party. So, a couple of weeks ago, I volunteered to make him a cake. I have helped other people make and decorate cakes before but I have never done one completely by myself. I have been wanting to take a cake decorating class for the longest time at the Hobby Lobby here but have yet to get around to it. So, I ventured out into the internet world to try to find some cute decorating ideas. I settled on a monkey cake. Well, many hours in the kitchen prepping, baking, and mixing away, the result was as such: A monkey cake which consisted of a monkey head and a sheet cake in which the monkey was placed on, and a few large cupcakes and numerous smaller cupcakes. So, it was no perfection but needless to say, I got the job done and it was fun doing it too!!

3 Hours with Tucker...

As many of you know, Todd and I love dogs and recently have been thinking about getting one. Well, one thing led to another and we actually got in touch with a breeder in the area. Upon talking with her, she had an adult male bulldog named Tucker, 4 years of age, that she would sell to us. So, upon meeting Tucker, we fell in love with him and decided to make the plunge.

We made it home (even with a pit stop to pick up some supplies in Walmart) and Tucker just explored the outside and inside of our home. he followed Todd and me everywhere through the house to learn his new surroundings. Then, about 30 minutes later, he started breathing really heavy. Todd yells from the other room, "Angela, I don't think he can breathe." I run into the family room where Tucker and Todd were and low and behold, there was the dog, struggling for a breath, Todd gagging from the smell of the dog poo on the carpet, and a puddle of pee on the tile. Poor Tucker, I thought (and Todd, haha; Apparently Todd and the smell of poo are a bad mix. What on earth is he going to do with dirty diapers when we actually have kids???).

So, I skooted the dog to the tile flooring, I cleaned up both the pee and poo and then attempted to figure out what was happening. Asthma I thought perhaps? Todd was anxiously researching on the internet and he decided it could be acid reflux. We gave him some anti-acid pill, no help. Then, Todd called the breeder. The breeder said he was having a panic attack and to give him 2 benadryl. We gave him the 2 pills, with a little struggle but we did it, and no luck after 2 hours. For 2 hours, Tucker stood and struggled for breath. We tried to pet him and comfort him but nothing seemed to work. Finally, at 11:30 p.m., we made the trek back to the breeder to give him some medicine. Within 5 minutes, he was calm and breathing much better. Todd and I both decided that Tucker just couldn't be away from his home. We decided, along with the breeder, that he needs to be in a home with other dogs.

We left the breeder's home, sad that we had to see Tucker go but glad that the night finally came to a close. We chuckled slightly in the car on the way home cause we couldn't believe a dog could have a full on panic attack for 2 straight hours!!! How exhausting! Well, we tried. And, after that whole event, we didn't even take pictures of our dog that we had for 4 hours. We still want a dog at some point so we'll see what happens.

This is kind of what he looked like...but no brown around the eyes and his mouth/nose area was black

The Smell and Feel of Autumn is Upon on Us...

The weather is beginning to really change here...cooler, windier, a little more rainy recently (which I don't mind considering I don't have to water my plants). That means it is almost FALL!!! I love fall time. Everything about it...pumpkin flavors, caramel apples, apple cider, hot chocolate, the color changing leaves, the crisp air. Although, I love summer, I really like fall time too (Even though it means closer to dreary winter). Autumn officially begins on September 22nd so get your pumpkin and apple flavored candles out and let the season begin!

Labor Day Weekend Adventure

Well, it is about time that we post something new!!! We had a wonderful time with Todd's parents this past week for labor day weekend. We showed them the ins and outs of Bentonville and the Walmart Home Office/stores, we cooked some wonderful delicious food, watched some fun shows and movies (If anyone hasn't seen "Julie and Julia" yet, you must! Such a fun and cute movie), and the list could go on and on. All in all, we had a great time. It was fun to spend time with each other and have house guests in our home! Here are a few pictures from our Labor Day Grilling. Since we just recently have purchased a grill, Todd is learning the art of grilling. I think he is pretty darn good at it. But, I have to say, it was quite funny to watch him grill some rib eye steaks for us (Or should I say, it was more funny to watch the actual process/prep). So, with the assistance of a few helping hands (Alan and Sharon), he created a delicious piece of meat. He definitely was the top chef that day! Here are a few pictures from the trip...

Flowers, flowers, everywhere

So, since we now have a home, that means a yard and landscaping to take care of. I have to say that I am beginning to have quite the green thumb. I planted a few planters and they actually are flourishing. In fact, one of them is growing like crazy!! It is so fun to be here in Arkansas and learning all the "home" things. Todd is taking very good care of our lawn: edging, trimming, mowing, fertilizing, etc. My job is weeding our front garden and the planters. Surprisingly, I find weeding to be quite therapeutic... a little at a time. We are so grateful for our wonderful home, jobs, the area in which we live, our family and friends, etc. We are so blessed and continue to be every day! Here are few pictures of some flowers I have planted...they are my practice ones for future years

These are the "troll" flowers

This one is newly planted so I hope it can match it's brother next to it (see below picture)