Doodle's First Party

Doodle's birthday is in a few weeks, but Schuster's will be at their winter place in Arizona by then, so we celebrated a little early this weekend. I would say the cake was a smashing success:)

Birthday Continues

Monday night, Schusters had a little birthday dinner for me. I feel bad, because everywhere I go now people are scared to cook for me because of my mystery reactions. Josh drives me nuts reading labels and watching everything, but I know it's just because he's worried. I appreciate the spaghetti and birthday cake:) Thanks Schusters!

More from the Diva Dog

Lily had her first play date this week. In order to "socialize" our puppy, my friend Missy brought Lucy over to play with our pooch. The dogs played great together! And Lucy was kind enough to give Lily her hand-me-down sweater and jacket! Lucy has outgrown them and when she heard Lily wasn't allowed to have such items, per Josh's insistence, she thought she must fix that problem:) Missy also, of course, brought Quinn to play with Rowan! They did a great job sharing the wipes out of the diaper bag.

More Fun With Lily

Did I mention Doodle likes Lily's STUFF more than that dog? And that Lily LOVES to snuggle?

Back from the Tropics

If any of you are reading this as a stay-at-home mom or a new mom, I STRONGLY recommend the membership rate at the MN Zoo. (And this is coming from someone who has to drive almost 45 minutes to get there!) We never would have gone to the Zoo in the middle of January before, but it was so much fun to go to the Tropics (and Discovery Bay) when it was -4 degrees upon arrival! We got to see the new baby dolphin and the training level was open so Josh took Riley and Auntie Jess up to that while Rowan and I watched with the stroller down below. If you make it to the zoo like 4 or 5 times in the year the membership pays for itself! And it gives you something to do when cabin fever hits! Plus this is a great time of year to go with fewer crowds and no line at all in the cafeteria/eatery part! (And they have picnic tables set up in the Tropics area so you can bring your own food if you want...very cost-friendly there too!) I was very impressed and we will go back before Spring hits, I'm pretty sure. Josh LOVES this darn monkey, sorry...I know we had a bunch of pics the last time we went too:)

A Little Behind

Last weekend we hosted out "Holiday Party" that was supposed to be in December but was canclled due to Snowmegeadon (sp?). Parties at the MoSchu Palace have changed a lot since the old days. This was a bunch of our softball friends and their KIDS...9 under the age of 7 years:) It was so much fun, but I fear some of our softball friends didn't come because they didn't have kids:( All are invited, and I admit it is a bit crazy with the kids, but we sure missed a few of the group that didn't make it!

Note: The picture of the two babies on top, Gabriel is 4 months...he's the bigger of the two boys. Quinn, the smaller little guy, is 6 months:)

Also, Not pictured, but there: Tricia's little girl Bella...she and Kiley had a GREAT time. Kiley loved having someone her own age to play with for a while instead of those darn older cousins who pick on her so...

TIGF

So thankful I don't have to go out in this blasted cold.

They Say It's Your Birthday....

It's my birthday too, yeah! Want to wish my "evil twin" a happy birthday:) Just kiddin'! Love you Megs! Where shall we hid from Katie's NKOTB message? She already blogged it last year, so I think we're safe online! (Sorry for the photo, Meg....I need to steal one from you. Apparently the only people I take pictures of anymore are under the age of 5!)

I don't love my birthday, but I do love my parents for giving me a BIRTHday! Thanks Mom and Dad for 34 years of making me who I am today. I love you more every day...and if my b-day is good for anything on this FREEZING January day, it reminds me how lucky I am! Love you both:)

TIGF

I think this week it goes without saying. I'm thankful we are a happy and complete family, right down to the two kids and a DOG:) Thanks to Josh for my early birthday puppy:)

Doodle's Opinion

Doodle would rather play in the dog dish, or play "open-closed" with the kennel door. He takes no interest in Lily herself.

Riley Loves Lily~

Lily tolerates Riley's "snuggling" very well. Riley even picks her up and carries her around without issue. I think they sat on the chair for more than 20 minutes like this the other night.

More of Lily:)

Breaking News: Lucky is Lily

Ok, so we managed to change Lucky's name to Lily permanently now. Riley liked both names and couldn't decide. But every person we talked to said we CAN'T name the dog Lucky because dogs named Lucky, Lucky they are NOT! My sister-in-law who is a vet said NO WAY could we call her Lucky because every animal she met with the name had HORRIBLE health problems:) Not just run-of-the-mill stuff...So Lily it is! She has her tag on with her name and phone number already...so it's permanent! (And she has sparkly collar too...Josh won't let me buy her sweaters so he had to concede to a little bling!) More photos to come.

Lucky Lily Riley Rose Schuster

FINALLY we are dog owners again! Lucky is a Mini-Scnuauzer and should be about the same size as Nala when full grown. I know, you're thinking "What is she doing? Don't they have two small children and aren't they putting their house on the market again in a month???" Yup! We're crazy. I know. But I saw this dog and fell in love and we have wanted another dog since Nala died for so long. She was the one! Can't help it! And who knows...we will probably be in this house for a while anyway. I'm not waiting until the housing market turns around!!!

Better Late Than Never:)

Kids Eating Their Work

Noah didn't want to heat his snowman because he was afraid the snowman would get too cold if he ate the hat or scarf first. Adie had no problem eating the snowman but had no interest in the cupcake. Riley devoured the whole thing. No problem there!