Our newest furbaby - meet Tess!

I think James got a little jealous of all the love and affection that I get from our little goldendoodle, Tilly. She is definitely my dog and has imprinted on me alone!  So while she was off at training (and we were enjoying some weeks of peace and quiet, I may add!) he went and got him a little dog. Well, one who will grow into a big dog!  Meet Tess, our little Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.

She has meshed right into the family and loooooooves all the snuggles and attention.  I don't know if she's going to be much of a hunter, but she is certainly a sweet little lover. (James is adamant - she will be a great hunting dog! She's got the breeding for it!)  

She came to us right at 8 weeks - just a BABY!  So she does a lot of sleeping and snuggling (and still gets up several times a night). She is pretty much my entire camera roll right now...

I cannot wait for Tess to meet her furry sister when Tilly gets back from training! They are going to have so much fun together!!  (Until Tess goes off for her SIXTEEN WEEK training program.  Whew!)

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and the Kerrs Visit

This is the second year in a row that Uncle Kelly and Aunt Shawntel have some to visit us in February, and we hope they make it a tradition!  What brought this out this way this year: the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Farewell tour. When I told them I booked tickets for me and James last Fall, they immediately asked for tickets to join us.  The Kerrs love NGDB, having listened to them for years. 

Besides the concert we had so much fun playing outside, enjoying the mild weather, playing some golf, walking / hiking, and eating great food.

On Sunday Shawntel was a good sport and went with us to see Disney on Ice. I had bought these tickets a while ago and the kids were excited to see it for the first time! (At their ages, this may be their last time, which is a little sad to me...)

We always love it when they make the trip!!  Don't be stranger, ya'll!

 

February Happenings

Our February was a busy one!  Lots to celebrate and lots to do.  Maryn won her class writing competition for the Georgia Young Authors contest. We got to recognize her with the other class winners. She won last year with a story about Squishmellows and this year she won with a story about her Christmas Elf.  Such creativity!

Maryn also attended her first baby shower for our dear friend who is having a precious little boy. 

Speaking of boys...the boys spent most all of their free time building these ginormous forts all over the property, including in our front yard!

Our weather this February was all over the place.  Some days hot enough for the pool, some days so cold we had to stay indoors. We did use our outdoor fire pit quite a lot.

We sent our Tilly girl off to training for EIGHT WHOLE WEEKS!!  That sounded like a good idea when she was a wee little puppy and causing trouble, but when I actually dropped her off it seemed like an awfully long time. We miss her so much...

With Tilly gone to training, it does mean we can get out and do stuff without rushing home every 4 hours or so. Like, we went to our first ghost pirates game!

The kiddos are back in the swing of Wednesday night church after a long break for Christmas.  They love it!

James lost both an aunt and uncle within a one month period, and we were fortunate to celebrate her life, a full life well lived, down in Florida with the other Sassers. It was coooooold, much colder than I've ever felt in Florida.

It stayed so cold that week that the oyster roast was moved inside the Clubhouse!  Too cold, even with the big campfires and heaters!

Some friends joined us at the Farm one weekend and we had a blast.  

And of course, Valentine's Day!  Can't forget our "favorite holiday" (James' doesn't consider it a real holiday) of the year! :) The kids made us some Valentines (using scraps in the craft room and re-gifting us things they had made throughout the year). So funny.

 

February!  Over and out. :)

Tilly - Off to Training!

Not sure what I was thinking when I sent our little furry gal off to an 8-week training camp, but here we are: missing our girl something terrible!!  We're only 3 weeks in but already counting down the days!!  I know it's going to be good for her - especially on a leash, or when she's off a leash and running away from us - but I'm tempted to call them up and say "is she good enough? can we come get her?"

I drove her over to the training camp in Screven, GA when the kids were at school, knowing they would not be able to stand the drop off without tears. We had a lovely drive through a part of Georgia I was not familiar with, while she stared at me the entire time (she knew something was up.)

We arrived at the training camp, said our goodbyes, and then I watched her walk away.  SO HARD!

We get periodic updates (not enough for us!) and already have her return date (April 4th).  It has been nice to get up and go without worrying about a dog, but not so nice that I am not ready to have her back.  I asked James on who I'm supposed to shower all my love and affection with her gone, and he gently reminded me: him and the kids.  But it's not the same as those sweet furry snuggles :)