Duke's First Day at Daycare

We have been talking about taking Duke to a Doggy Daycare for months, but just kept putting it off. Then we had a really bad day where he wasn't listening, being aggressive, and I just snapped. That was it. Something needed to change. We toured the daycare the next week and decided that it would be best if we waited until after the new year to send him, because there were over 100 dogs there due to the holidays and pet owners traveling! But now it's the new year and time to try daycare out!

Here's the cutie at 6:25am so excited to go for a ride {he loves being in the car}!

We were pretty nervous going in. We worried that we'd be wasting our money {$27/DAY!} if he didn't like it or slept the whole time. We worried that he'd be aggressive with another dog or worker {he isn't really aggressive... just rowdy}. But we knew we had to give it a shot. We wanted him to have the socialization and to get him out of crate on a day that everyone is away from the house for 7 hours.

So I dropped him off on my way to work one morning. And as soon as I got to work I pulled up the webcams and proceeded to watch him on and off for the whole day! Yes, I'm that person.

This is what my photos folder looked like...

In my defense Thomas couldn't watch so I was sending him a picture every time he did something different LOL From what I could see on the webcam he was loving it! He played with other dogs, was smiling {yes Keeshonds smile}, and when he was tired he laid down. I was so proud of him.

Thomas picked him up after he got off work and Duke was pooped. As soon as he got in the car he did this...

 

He even came home with this adorable first day card {which I'll be putting in his scrapbook... yes I'm making my damn dog a scrapbook.. WHO AM I?!}..

" I obey daycare rules pretty well except for some mounting of my new dog and people friends- oops"

That's funny that they mentioned that seeing as I WAS WATCHING the webcam when he decided it was a good idea to hop on the workers back {who was kneeling} and start humping her! I almost died of embarrassment. Only my dog....

For the next day and a half he was exhausted and it was glorious! The calmest I've ever seen him! And that my folks makes it worth every single penny. He'll definitely be going back :)

Goals for 2014

Just like everyone else I'm not a fan of New Year "Resolutions" because I can never stick to them. However, if you know anything about me you know that I am a listoholic. I live by lists. So this year I've made of list of goals that I'd like to accomplish throughout 2014...

TAKE MORE PICTURES
This goal relates to "smaller" goals I'd like to accomplish as well- completing P52 {taking one picture a week}, starting Project Life {which is a form of scraping}, and learning how to use my dSLR.

TRY NEW THINGS
Unfortunately, I'm one of those people who doesn't really like change/newness {is that even a word?}. I want to branch out, I want to learn, and most importantly I want to grow. I already have a few things in mind for this- trying new foods, taking new classes, ect.

PUT MY PHONE AWAY
I'm semi-addicted to my iPhone and I admit it. I'm always checking Twitter/Instagram/BlogLovin and it drives my poor husband crazy. I need to learn when to "turn it off" and to just be in the moment.

BECOME ACTIVE AGAIN
This is probably on everyone's list in some form, but I think it's a good thing. I need to drink water {I can't tell you the last time I had a full glass}, find a yoga class to attend weekly, and start training for the runs we're signing up for!

FIGURE OUT MY NEXT MOVE
Whether it's grad school or finding my first "big kid" job I need to figure out what comes next. It's out of my hands now and I need to just believe that what's supposed to happen will.

Here's to hoping that 2014 is going to be a great year!

2013 Recap

I can't believe that tomorrow starts a new year! Being completely honest, I'm more than ready to say goodbye to 2013 {I'm not a fan of odd numbers anyway}. It was a difficult year for me... a lot of personal changes, loosing my grandma, drama that ensued with my mother, and trying to find myself after graduating college. However, there were a lot of good things that happened this past year as well

- Spending our first entire year together in four years

- Graduating college

- Going on our honeymoon cruise

- Finally going to a Backstreet Boys concert {favorite day of the year by far!}
- Getting a job that I adore
- Spending so much time with our family and friends

- Watching Duke grow

Without a doubt we are extremely blessed and even though it wasn't the best year it definitely wasn't the worst. I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store for us!

Family Pictures

Ever since we added Duke to our family I knew that I wanted to get professional pictures taken, but I also knew that we had to wait until he was old {and therefore calm} enough. So a few weeks ago we finally got them done! We used a photographer that graduated from my high school and had the pictures taken at Newburg Lake- the same place that Thomas proposed!

And I couldn't be happier with how they turned out! Duke did so well and I think we looked pretty good too ;)

Heaven Gained One Hell of an Angel

Saturday morning my sweet grandma passed away while I was holding her hand. She was 90 years old and lived a life that many can only dream of. She met the love of her life when she was only 16 years old and spent 74 beautiful years with him. And it's because of them that I know what true love is. She was so feisty and full of spunk. She loved to shop and I definitely got that from her. She was one of the most beautiful {inside and out} woman I have ever known. And I was so lucky to call her my grandma.

This picture captured the definition of true love.

She told me more than once that our wedding was one of the best days of her life.

Rest in Peace Grandma <3 

We will always love you and carry you with us.

And we will keep an eye on your sweetheart until he can be with you again! I know he can't wait.

Duke Turns One!

Thomas and I both worked crazy overtime the week of his birthday and that forced us to celebrate on Thursday, the night before his actual birthday, but I don't think he cared ;) I realize some people might think I've completely lost my mind {because lets be real this whole party was all me haha} but maybe I have...

Anywho, we had the party with my grandparents at their house and I'm glad they were such great sports! We started the party off with a "scavenger hunt" to find his presents aka new toys that were spread around the living room with treats.

Next we busted out the party hats and for the most part Duke didn't mind it!

 Duke and my grandma

 Love this one!

This one kills me... my grandpa is a funny guy!

And then it was time for cake! I ordered him a peanut butter cake from Three Dogs Bakery and it was a huge hit!

 Waiting so patiently..

 "OMG I'M SO EXCITED"

 His eyes kill me!

 Best picture of the night!!

"OMG SO GOOD!"

I think it's safe to say that Duke had the best birthday any dog could wish for! It's also safe to say that Papa thinks he's in charge of the rest.... not happenin' ;) Now I need to get crackin' on Duke's scrapbook!

Perfect Fall Weekend

Here I am recapping our weekend a day late.. sometimes Monday's just don't go as planned ;) But it was a great weekend!

Friday night we went out to dinner with our friends to a local Mexican restaurant called Las Palapas that is delicious! It helps that two of my close girlfriends work there too. But the food was good and the company was great.

 Boots! Scarfs!

After dinner we headed to an Oktoberfest festival {I'm not sure if that's the right term..} where we met up with Thomas' cousins and had a great time chatting and drinking. Next year we're definitely hoping to make it to Frankenmuth's Oktoberfest!

 Thomas' cousin Matt doing some crazy German drinking... thing lol

Saturday morning consisted of errands and watching One Tree Hill with my sleepy pup.

Once Thomas got off work we headed to the Cider Mill! We picked up fresh cider and spiced donuts and then headed to Newburgh Lake! One of the best things about fall in Michigan! :)

 Duke was not amused lol

 I took a billion pictures of the goof ball with his head sticking out of the window!

 My baby!

It was a perfect fall day!

Then we wrapped up Saturday night with watching Iron Man 3 with Thomas' parents. It was alright... felt kind of slow.

Sunday we cleaned, did laundry, went shopping, and then had dinner with my grandparents!