Blabbing on and on about the dog since he pretty much runs our lives now...

Have I ever mentioned that the pup seems to think I'm his personal doggy bed/favorite person?  Just after Derek took this picture, he slid on the slippery polyester of my housecoat (I know you're jealous of my housecoat collection) and fell right off the couch.  It was hilarious.

 

We took the dog up to Discovery Park in Lindon just a day too late--the previous day it had been like 70F, but it was very cold and breezy the day we went.  Spring is so moody, ya know?  On the way there, we held him so he could look out the window and he LOVED it!  He looks like a fashion model...

 On the way home, he died.  He was so tired from all the running around.

He's been on various car rides and is getting more used to it than before.  He is a timid dog and only likes to go places he's been to before (which is NO WHERE since he's a puppy), so he's starting to like the van since it's familiar.  But he loves something more than the van: he loves his big brother.  Even though said big brother has a tendency to step on him and roll over him, and generally cause discomfort.

I think Solaris might just be deprived to put up with all that the Wudge does to him.  Amazingly, Sol is really well-behaved with the little man.  He'll sometimes nip the girls (though he's getting better), but he's only bit Dade a couple times and totally by accident.  He lets the Wudge pet him the wrong way, and gives him licks, and is generally very sweet around him.  Somehow he must know that the Wudge is still a "baby".  If only the reverse were true.  Hopefully this pup will live to adulthood and not be loved to death by a lonely little boy...

On Friday, we took a special trip to the vet for Sol to get neutered.  Poor guys must've known something was up because he was rather whiny the whole way over.  Luckily he had a friend to give him love.

Post-op, wearing the cone of shame.  Poor dog can hardly eat and drink with the stupid thing on, but is learning to adapt.  Can't wait to take it off him. 

At least it's made for some superb entertainment.  When it snowed on Saturday, he kept trying to get at the snow to eat (his fave treat), and kept flipping it up.  Eventually, his cone was full.  ;)  Doesn't he look so sad and pathetic??

Going on walks is a little difficult since we can't really get his harness on, but he's getting better at walking beside us and doesn't usually run away from us (unless we are going towards home which he is when he breaks out the full sprint).

Poor dog, doesn't even have exclusive rights to his own bed anymore since someone keeps climbing in to "snuggle" with him.  Doesn't help having that plastic thing taking up so much room too....

But enough of the dog, how about my super completely adorable nephew who just turned one?  He is simply the sweetest little guy.  His personality is just like his mom's--I remember how Jocelyn was always happy and so easy-going.  It's fun because he doesn't really look anything like her--he looks like his handsome daddy.  He didn't think much of the slimy cake his mom kept sticking his hands in...  :)

 

We got a visit from Grandma this week which is always a treat.  She keeps our kitchen clean and is generally helpful wherever we might need her.  She took Derek, Julie & the Bub to a basketball game on Tues which they really enjoyed.  Isn't my oldest turning into such a cute teenager?  Can you believe she'll be going to stake dances starting this fall?!?!

One last pic--Derek and the two oldest ran a 5k on a freezing cold, blizzardy day over the weekend.  The oldest got 2nd in her age group, and Domba took first in her age group!  And it was Domb's first 5k ever!  I'm so proud of these girls and how hard they've worked on running.  I can't wait for the Bub to start cross-country this summer!