Start of the Summer {When We Could Be Outside Without Melting}

Arizona was GOOD to us this year.  I usually am OVER the summer by the time June hits, and here we were coasting through May with gorgeous days, and even the beginning of June was nice and overcast.  A girl could get used to this, I tell ya.  {Don't worry, we are into July and summer has reared her not so cool head.  But, I do think we are acclimating ourselves to it a little bit because so far, it is not as bad as I remembered.  Of course, we have pretty much been staying indoors or in the pool the entire time we've been here, so there's that.  Ask me again when school starts in two weeks!}

Here's a little of what we were up to at the end of May and beginning of June:

❣ Bike rides in jammies! ❣

❣ Big girl haircuts! ❣

❣ Pool parties with friends!  Look at our new slide getting some use! ❣

➹ Chick-Fil-A catering! ➹

➹ Love these girls. ➹

❣ Slumber parties with ice cream and donuts! ❣

❣ Turtlenecks on dogs?!  Happy to report Magnum has made a full recovery, and is doing even better than before.  So proud of our Million Dollar Dog! ❣

Magnum Hound

About two months ago, Magnum fractured his left front leg for the fourth time in his life.  Yes, fourth.  Quick run down of his history - the leg broke with his original owner and a metal plate was put on it, when Jill got him, the plate got infected and had to be removed.  Shortly after we got him from Jill, the leg broke for a 2nd time.  He went through 4 months of rehab with an external fixator in his leg and less than a week after the fixator was removed, the leg broke again.  This time, we had a specialist put another metal plate on the bone.  He was getting around great until last February when a hole in his skin near the plate started opening up.  We kept the leg wrapped and it would get worse and then better and then worse and then better -- rinse and repeat.  The vet specialist x-rayed the leg and told us the bone was weak and could possibly break again sometime.  Fast forward a year and, that brings us to the most recent fracture.  The story doesn't need to get told on the how of things...all we need to know is that it was broken again....and there was no good solution for fixing it.  After pain medication and anti-inflammatory medicine didn't work, and the wound on the leg still opening up, and the fractured area looking worse and worse, we opted to have his leg amputated.  It was not an easy choice to make, and if I'm honest, I still struggle with knowing if it was the right one.  It was really hard to see Magnum heavily sedated on pain medication, hobbling around from place to place. Nearly a month later, he moves around easily and seems to be in little to no pain.  We have had some setbacks post-surgery - a small infection and the incision site opening up - but we are taking care of that with laser treatments every few days.

And, now, some Magnum pictures:

➹ About to get a laser treatment! ➹

➹ I love it when he gets wrapped with a pretty decoration on it! ➹

He is our million dollar dog for sure, and we are just happy that he continues to love us unconditionally despite the poking and prodding he gets from us.

Birffffdays!

Happy 14th Birthday to Magnum Hound and Happy 6th Birthday to this little ol' blog!  

An Oz-some Halloween!

A couple of months ago, Olivia spent the night at a friend's house and watched the Wizard of Oz for the first time.  Shortly after, we were discussing Halloween and she mentioned that she would like to dress as Dorothy.  Well, you know I love a theme, so I decided to run with it.  It also helped that I had seen a cute "scarecrow princess" costume in the Pottery Barn Kids catalog and wanted one of my girls to wear it.  So, we had our Dorothy and our Scarecrow and the rest were up for grabs.  I went with an easy {read: generic} witch, David went as the Tin Man {obviously} and we lucked out in finding a lion costume at Target for Magnum.  Mission accomplished.

Since the weather is so nice this time of year, most people giving out candy sit outside in their driveway and give out candy.  My parents even come over to our house to give our candy away.  Our neighborhood has some really fun streets that sort of group multiple houses together into one driveway so you can sort of just make one stop and hit them all up.  One street goes all out with a DJ/emcee.  They talk to all of the people dressed up and they loved our costumes!  Olivia even sang into the microphone, "We're off to see the wizard...."

Halloween is so much fun, but I am so glad it only comes once a year!

Annnnndddd, now we are all caught up!

Magnum's Platinum Run

Hard to believe, but our sweet boy is now a full-fledged teenager!  Yep, on the 11th of this month, Magnum turned 13.  We are so lucky to be his forever family.

We love you, Magnum Hound!

Have You Missed Me?!

Well, after two full weeks traveling on our California Adventure, we are finally home.  And, man oh man, are we glad to be back.  Our house feels humongous and the back of our car looks ginormous now that it isn't filled with 4 suitcases, a duffel bag, a double stroller, a pack n play, 2 picnic baskets of snacks, a giant basket of toys and other miscellaneous stuff.

I spent a good portion of today uploading pictures onto my computer, but before I can blog about our trip, I need to fill you guys in on a few things that happened before we left and while we were away.

1 - Olivia had her first field trip.  David took her because it was right after Sydney had her surgery and I wanted to be home with her.  They went to the natural history museum and she looked adorable in her little field trip shirt.

2 - Olivia started playing soccer.  Well, at least she did it for two days.  Here's what she looked like before she left for her first practice.  

Nice kick!

3 - Magnum turned 12 on the 11th.  We were sad to miss his special day, but we know Nana and Poppy took great care of him and showered him with extra treats.  Happy Belated Birthday, Buddy.

4 - Even though I've been absent from the blog during our little vacation, she turned FOUR while we were gone.  If you've been with me from the beginning or are just joining, thanks for playing along.  It means so much to me knowing that you are interested in our sweet little family. 

I hope to get back on a normal blogging schedule soon.

Easter Fun

What a wonderful Easter we had!  Three different egg hunts, two Easter baskets to open and one yummy lunch with family and friends...it doesn't get much better than that!  {Did I mention that I put the girls in matching dresses?!  Next time I'll know to do pictures before the hunt in 90 degree weather!}

Sweet girl gave her animal crackers to Magnum.

I love these two girls. 

{Even if it takes 323 shots to get a few good pictures.}