GHG Christmas

Toni, Mitzi, Singne, Meghan and I

Tuesday night the Grayhawk Girls got together to celebrate Christmas and welcome Singne back in town for the holidays. We met at humble pie for dinner and drinks and then watched the annual GHG DVD in Meghan's car. Each year I make a DVD movie of pictures of the girls and I through the year. It makes me laugh because after 4 years of doing the video, almost every picture we take someone says, "Is this going in the video this year?" I think everyone enjoys them though and it is fun to relive the year together. I love these girls and feel blessed to have not only friends that I have so much fun with but friends that are such amazing women! Let's see what 2011 has in store for us, sure to be many more good times!

Wrapping for Woofs

Tuesday night and Sunday afternoon, DLRR had a gift wrapping station at Barnes and Noble at Desert Ridge. We had a lot of the adoptable dogs there for "meet and greet" as well. I offered to go pick up yellow lab Julie at ARC and take her to the event on Tuesday and then I drove her out to Chandler so she could go to a foster home and get out of the shelter. She is a real sweet girl. She just layed down in the back of my car and is a real lover! Sunday I picked up Dallas down at CCC, (Canine Country Club is where we board some of our dogs that do not have foster homes yet) and took him to B&N.

I am happy to report that Julie found her forever home over the weekend and is now adopted!! YAY! Dallas had a lot of people interested in him on Sunday and there is a family that wants him and he will be going to their house to see how he does with cats. If it doesn't work out with their family, there are two other people who want him! I fell in love with him and if I didn't have 3 of my own at home, I would take him in a heartbeat! Talk about big lover!!!

Miss Julie (notice the heart on her head!)

Mr. Dallas in my car! Gotta Love that face!

Nelson, another adoptable lab!

Nutcracker Ballet

Saturday afternoon my mom and I saw that Nutcracker at Symphony Hall. We both agreed if was well done and we really enjoyed it. We had not been in a few years and it was a fun afternoon with my mom getting in the holiday spirit. The ballerinas are amazingly stong and have great legs! Wondering if it is too late for me to take up dance?

Wild night with the Wilde girls!

Baby girl Piper! This was my first time seeing her crawl!
Big sister Petyon with Piper! (Presley informed me that she does not take pictures so unfortunately none were taken of miss Pres!)

The flower pots done by master artists Peyton and Presley

Last night I helped out my good friend Meghan so she and her husband Trevor could go to his work Christmas party. I ADORE her little girls so it is always fun to get to come and hang out with them. Plus it fills the void in my heart of spending time with my neice and nephew! I really have so much fun playing with kids and these three little girls are just the sweetest!

I always try to come up with something we can "do" when I come. It seems like each time I think I have a grand idea it becomes a little bit of a disaster though. One time we decorated plates. (Not sure Meghan ever sent those in though and got them back as plates...Did you Meg? :) ) Peyton was upset that she couldn't decorate hers exactly the way the picture on the box was. After a semi melt down we were able to draw other things but I think that project ends up being "the thought that counts". The next time I came we decorated cookies. I found princess glittery gel frosting that I thought the girls would like. The cookies came out of the oven not even close to looking like the shapes they were meant to be. They had all mushed together and were flat but they had fun decorating them anyway. (Again, the thought that counts. :) ) This time I went to Michaels and bought flower pots. I have lots of paint from my former craft days and thought the girls would enjoy painting flower pots. I think this one was probably one of the better project. The only thing is I forgot to bring the flowers for them to plant in their new pots. I'll have to drop those off in the next few days.

Meghan, thanks for letting me be a part of the girls lives and for sharing their sweetness with me! You and Trevor have a beautiful family and I love you all!

2010 Christmas Tree

Sunday my parents came home from visiting my sister for the last week and helped me go get my Christmas tree! I can certainly go pick out a tree by myself but getting it in the house and standing is difficult for one person. My parents were nice to offer to come help me and then stayed for dinner while we got it up. I love my tree this year, I think it is a good one! :) I really love this time of the year and one of my favorite things to do is come home and turn on the Christmas Tree lights. Looking forward to enjoying the lights and the smell of my tree the next few weeks!

The tree before they wrapped him up and put him on my car

The tree is up and lights are on....next step, ornaments!

All Decorated!!

12 K's of Christmas

Saturday morning I got up bright and early to volunteer at the 12k's of Christmas event in Gilbert. I went as a volunteer with Desert Labrador Retriever Rescue. There were 3 walk/runs to participate in, 1.2k (.75 miles), 6k (3.7miles) and a 12k (7.5 miles). Since I was a volunteer with Desert Labrador Retriever Rescue and we did the 1.2k as a "team" and walked/jogged with the dogs. It was a great event and I would certainly suggest others doing it next year.

I met a fellow volunteer at ARC (The Animal Rescue Center) at 8am and we picked up two of the labs that are up for adoption. The labs that do not have homes are housed at ARC. We took Lola, a 7 month old lab and Kelso to the event. They are both beautiful black labs. I am often saddened by the fact that I can't adopt every animal that needs a home. If I didn't have three dogs of my own I would be a foster as well. Since I can't help in those two ways, I try to find other ways to help. Events like this are great. The dogs enjoyed being out and there were a lot of people who came by our booth and showed interest in the dogs. Hopefully some of them will find homes soon which will enable DLRR to just rescue more! DLRR is a wonderful rescue and is the rescue my parents got their yellow lab Casey from. I am looking forward to helping with lots of other events and also going down to ARC to take the dogs for walks and get them out of the kennels as much as possible. That was the most difficult part of the whole day was taking them back and putting them in their kennels. I cried leaving them and really had to try to be strong. I look forward to helping in anyway I can!

The great thing about this 12k's of Christmas event was they had an entire area called Santa's Pet Village and we were just one of the many rescues group there. The rescue groups included the following rescues:

Amazing Aussies, Arizona Animal Rescue&Sanctuary, Arizona Animal Welfare League, Arizona Basset Hound Rescue, Arizona Beagle Rescue, Arizona Chihuahua Rescue, Arizona Defense League, Arizona Great Pyrenees Association, Arizona Poodle Rescue, Arizona Pug Rescue, Arizona Jack Russell Rescue, Arizona Labrador Rescue, Arizona Sheltie Rescue, Arizona Happy Tails Rescue, Arizona Siberian Husky Rescue, Desert Labrador Retriever Rescue, English Springer Rescue, Friends for Life, Greyhounds of Verde Valley, Safe Haven for Animals, 2nd Chance Dog Rescue, Tranquility Trail Animal Sanctuary adn Valley Dogs.

All in all, it was a great day helping needy dogs!!

Top of the hill, looking down at the race start and pet village

Some of the beagles up for adoption from Arizona Beagle Rescue


Kelso, one of the labs I picked up and drove out to the event. He is available for adoption through DLRR.

Electric Light Parade

Since I am staying at my parents house this week watching their dog, I was eager to go to the Light Parade down Central Avenue. I went a few years ago and liked it and figured since I was just up the street and had no plans I would see if anyone wanted to join me. My friend Carrie and I went. It was much warmer than when I went last time and there were lots of people! It was a fun way to get in the spirit of the holidays. There were balloons, floats, cars, bands and EVERYTHING had lights! The theme of the parade was "Through a Child's Eyes".

Snow Man Balloon

Elf Balloon

A band all lit up

One of the floats

Gingerbread Galore

Saturday my friend Dawn had a Gingerbread House Party. It was so nice. She invited friends and their little ones over to make gingerbread houses. She had purchased a gingerbread house for all the kids and then even some of the adults did their own. It was lots of fun to see the finished houses and how different they all were. A nice way to get in the holiday spirit too!

Clair Yurkiewicz and her gingerbread house

Mitzi helping Ethan with his gingerbread house

Some of the finished products

Santa Paws

Sunday I took the dogs to the Biltmore Fashion Park for pictures with Santa. At the Biltmore, the Arizona Humane Society has a store called petique. They have a lot of pet products and the also bring dogs in from the shelter that can be adopted. As a fundraiser they were offering pictures with Santa this weekend. Jesse,Bogey and Ripken all did great and I think the pictures are adorable. Ho, Ho, Ho and Woof, Woof, Woof!

Quick Visit

Saturday I was lucky enough to meet my good friends Heidi and Mike for a nice lunch before they flew home KC. Heidi has family that lives in Tucson so they came out to AZ for Thanksgiving with her family. I came down from the cabin Saturday morning so that I could meet them for lunch. We went to St. Francis which Heidi and I had both been to but Mike wanted to try. The place reminds me so much of the two of them since they are both architects and love modern design places. The food was great and it was so nice to catch up with my good friend! Wish it was for longer than just lunch but it was better than nothing.

Giving Thanks

For Thanksgiving again this year my parents and I drove up to the cabin. I wished hard for snow and my wishes were granted and Thursday morning we woke up to snow!! It was so fun being in the cold and snow and the dogs loved it. We took a long walk and let them run on the golf course. Needless to say they were tired once we got home. We watched the parade, the dog show, football and movies and just enjoyed the snow and fireplace. Lots to be thankful for these days and spending time with my parents is always nice. I am lucky to have a mom and a dad that are so supportive, loving and fun to hang out with. We missed my sister and her family but were happy to talk to them all on the phone. Looking forward to the next trip up North for sking in a few months!

From AZ to GA

Tuesday night was bitter sweet. It was fun to get together with friends at Primebar but sad that everyone was there to wish Singne and Mike well as they move to Atlanta, Georgia. Mike has been promoted and given a great opportunity with his company and unfortunately that means moving. We are all sad to see them go but the girls are already talking about a Spring visit to GA!
I'll miss you Singne but wish you all the best as you venture down South!

St. Louis Visit

Last weekend I went to St. Louis for my friend Julie's wedding shower and bachelorette party. I was honored when Julie asked me to be one of her bridesmaids and I am really looking forward to her wedding in January! I was able to take Friday off work and arrive Thursday night. Julie worked on Friday and I was able to spend the day with Linda, Amy and Aimee! I was honored that Aimee drove a few hours from Cape Giradeau to St. Louis to spend the day with us! It was so nice to catch up with the three of them. I was able to meet Linda's new baby Julia too, which was great. (Everyone knows I have a weakness for puppies and babies!)
Saturday was nice and packed with lots of fun. While getting ready we were able to catch some of the Missouri vs. Kansas State game which was nice. We then drove over to St. Charles, Missouri for the shower. It was a nice place and I think Julie enjoyed celebrating with her friends, family and family to be!
We then went over, checked into the hotel and relaxed a little. All the girls met at the hotel for some appetizers and drinks before dinner. We went to a fun place in St. Charles called Q. We enjoy dinner and a little dancing there and then proceeded to visit some other bars in St. Charles. All of Julie's friends are nice and fun girls so we all had a good time together.
Sunday came and went quickly and after having a nice lunch with Julie and her made of honor Shannon, we met Linda and Julia for a coffee at Starbucks before I had to head to the airport.
Like all my trips back to MO, it was lots of fun and far to short of a time to spend with my dear friends!!!
Julie, Tobi and I at the shower (we all played on the golf team at MU together)
Julie (aka the bachelorette and a fellow bachelorette and her man for the night.
The whole group out celebrating the bride
Julie and I Saturday night
Julie and I at lunch Sunday
Me and baby Julia at starbucks Sunday
Linda and I at starbucks!

Trip to the Zoo

Last week while my sister and her family were visiting we went to the zoo. The kids loved it and we all had a great time. I love going to the zoo and if I had kids, I would go all the time. The highlight of the visit was feeding the giraffes. The kids were able to feed them lettuce and the adults fed them a large dog food looking thing. It was really neat to be so close to them and experience feeding them. What amazing animals!

Birthday Celebrating With Friends

Last night the girls and I went to Green House at Kierland for a birthday dinner. I am truly blessed to have such amazing friends. We have so much fun together and everytime we get together I walk away amazed by my friends and all they do and who they are! Thanks for making me feel so loved and for helping me celebrate turning 34!
Singne, Me and Noelani
Toni, Meghan and Mitzi

Dog Show

Last Saturday I ran up to the park near my house because Lori, who I work with was showing our bosses puppy Zeus. Jane and Steve (they own Daphne's, the company I work for) bought a golden retriever puppy this summer but the breeder had them agree to show him in atleast one show. Saturday was what they call a "fun match" so it is just practice and it was Zeus's first time in the ring. He did great. Definitely still needs some practice but he should be good to go for his show in March! Way to go Zeus!




I saw this German Shorthaired Pointer there too. Now that I own a GSP myself, I notice them more. They really are good looking dogs and I still think Ripken is the most beautiful! :)

Art Auction for Alzheimer's

Thursday I attended a silent art auction. This art auction was put on by the senior living facility Jesse and I visit. This was the second annual art auction and this year a few other senior living facilities joined Encore, so it was bigger and better and I am sure more money was raised. The money raised benefits Alzheimer's. I bid on a piece painted by Jeanette. Jeanette is a resident at encore who LOVES dogs and loves Jesse. (She always remembers Jesse's name because a friend of hers has a daughter named Jesse and she tells me everytime I see her. :) ) She keeps dog biscuits in her room and always insists on giving Jesse a few treats. She loves the color purple. I am glad I could attend the event and support such a great cause!