We Got Grass!!

Camping with the family

We went camping with four dogs and nine people.... It was quite the experience!! Our family always does a weekend camping trip once a year. We went to Farragut State Park this year, so it wasn't too far of a drive for most of us. This was our last camping trip with just my parents, us kids and our spouses. Next year my youngest brother and his wife will have a baby to add to all the fun and excitement. Yes, the first grandbaby of my parents is on its way! We had so much fun this year with all of us! We really enjoyed having the puppies to entertain us! This was the first year we had ever had dogs to take with us too. Farragut has lots of activities to do including swimming, frisbee golf, bike trails, and hiking. Julie and I both said this was the best camping trip yet, because we both felt really good health wise. Godwilling it will continue this way. I am hoping this is something that we can still continue even though our family is changing. It is always a great bonding experience to go camping with your family.

Our handsome puppy just relaxing in the shade

Harley and Maddy in their down time. It was a little warm, so they weren't as active as they usually are.

We took the puppies swimming for the first time. They absolutely loved it!! The water was still freezing cold, so they were shivering most of the time. WE WERE TOO! Harley did end up actually swimming for a few feet, and then realized his feet weren't touching and kind of freaked out. They did enjoy chasing sticks though!!


Farragut has a few small cabins, so we rented one and also used the camp site next to it. Some of us stayed in the cabin and some in tents. It worked out really well for all of our needs. The dogs were just relaxing on their beds with Jesse keeping an eye on them.


Julie and I with the puppies! They were pretty tuckered out by the end of the first night. So much fresh air and sunshine!!


Mom, Dad, Brian, and Julie enjoying some shade while doing dishes


Harley and Maddy just hanging out next to each other... Until next year!!

Babysitting!!

So, we got to puppy sit for Harley's sister for 4 days! They had soooo much fun! We were a little leary about having two puppies around the house, but they were perfect angels, ALMOST!! Yes, they got very dirty, but we are used to that. Yes, they tracked mud in the house, but that already happens. Yes, we had to give them 3 baths in one day, but we have done that before! Yes, they got bit by some insect and got bug bites all over their tummies. Oh well, vet visits happen... Nothing has ever been better!! We thoroughly enjoyed having both puppies. They were very entertaining, and they entertained themselves for 4 days!

This was the last day they were together! They had worn each other out!

They actually ate together. Even with different foods, they didn't try to steal each others' food.

They heard Jesse coming, and they waited so patiently for him to come in the door!

They were so good at sharing toys! They definitely enjoy playing together!

The first night after they played from 9pm-1am. It was definitely time for bed!

Just a brother and sister who love each other!! We were so blessed to be given Harley! We just love having him! He has made our lives so much more fun over the last 6 months! Thanks for coming to play, Maddie!! You can come back any time!

Summer is here!!!

We had the busiest weekend planned and we were so excited that the weather cooperated! First of all my mom and I decided to finally plant our garden. We got my mom a peach tree for Mother's Day, so we had to plant that along with all our veggies. We are doing a family garden this year, so we had to expand so we would have enough room for everything. So, this is about 1/2 of the garden. We have lots of fruits and veggies; strawberries, blueberries, peach tree, raspberries, cantalope, zucchini, tomatoes, bush beans, red peppers, green peppers, jalapeno peppers, carrots, asparagus, onions, and also an herb garden. I can't wait until we start getting some produce!! GROW GARDEN GROW!!!

This is my mom celebrating the fact that we go everything planted!!

So, our next project was spreading 10 yards of top soil in our back yard. We are preparing for grass, so we needed to level out the yard. I helped a little bit, but Jesse did the majority of the work. I can't wait for us to have a real yard for Harley to play in.

Harley was just trying to help us get it all done faster. He thought that maybe if he laid down on the piles somehow it would just magically be done, and we would play with him instead!! I think he was enjoying the cool feel of the dirt...

We almost have a yard!!

So, two weekends ago we decided to tackle the job of putting in our sprinkler system in the back yard. We had Jared Evans bring over the trencher and all the equipment and the guys went to work. Between my husband, Jared, two of my brothers and my dad, they got it done in no time. I think there were plenty of people helping. I did see quite a bit of standing around, but they still got the whole thing done in about 6 hours!! All I had to do was keep them fed all day! I never mind cooking, so it was quite enjoyable for me!! The next step is grass!! Hopefully within the next couple of weeks....

Jesse working away...

The guys finished about half an hour before the rain started. They were very glad to have good weather.

Since I don't have any kids yet, this is all I have to offer the blog!!

Harley and Mady had so much fun playing! They were sooo tuckered out afterwards...

Harley and Mommy on the new patio with the new table set up. We are all ready for the summer barbeques, except for grass!!

Harley is sooo focused!! He will do anything for a fruit snack!!

It was nap time...

Harley's first destruction!! We left a bag of charcoal in the back yard when we left him... Less than two hours later and this is what it looked like.

Harley & Stuff

So, our little puppy isn't so little anymore!! He has already passed the 40 pound mark. So, we got him when he was only about 8-9 pounds. We have only had him for 3 months and he has gotten huge. Although he will probably end up about double what he is now. He is so much fun!! I thought I would just post a few pictures of some of his tired moments and fun antics over the past few months.

Harley loves to cuddle with mommy!!

He loves to lay in the sun and relax!

I had the curtains closed, but he knew the sun was shining so he went behind the curtain. I called his name and he just poked his head out just to say hi. Adorable!

I guess you could say he has slightly grown out of his bed. He still enjoys it though.