So... we got a dog

Brent is in heaven. We've been wanting a dog for a little while... Brent for a long while. He's been getting Mariska on his side more and more though. So I was thinking about the idea, and just for fun I was browsing petfinder.com. I found the perfect most adorable little basset hound/terrier mix. I wanted him so badly. After about 2 days we decided to just go for it, "What the heck"! So we got the house all ready, bought all the supplies and right when the shelter opened at 8 am Monday morning I called to ask when I could come pick him up, only to be told, "He's being adopted right now"... literally RIGHT then. I was so sad. Plus what was I supposed to tell Mariska?? We told her we were getting a dog today.
So we went back to petfinder.com and found a litter of little black labs... I called that shelter and she said, "The last one was adopted this morning." WHAT?! I was getting really annoyed. So finally we found a lab/terrier mix that looked sweet. He was an hour away, in Rockwall... so right as Brent got out of work we hopped in the car and ran up to see him.
The minute we went outside into the little courtyard they had for visits, I knew he wasn't for us. He was sweet, but he was HYPER and super JUMPY! Both girls were scared of him, Brynley was attached to my hip and screaming her head off... so we went back inside. We asked if they had anything a little "calmer" because our girls were timid. And the guy said he had JUST gotten (that very day) 2 little boy black lab mutt puppies. We said we'd like to see them and went back into the courtyard. The second that guy brought them out, I knew my fate was sealed. I knew that neither Brent nor Mariska could see these little things and NOT walk away without one. So, here we are. He's not really the kind of dog I wanted... I wanted a calm, little lap dog, like a dachshound or yorkie. But he's little, for now, so I guess I'll get used to it! But he is absolutely the kind of dog Brent wanted, so he wins!

We have lovingly named him Snape, in honor of Professor Severus Snape from Harry Potter. Yes, we are gigantic geeks... and love it!

Yes, he's peeing and pooping everywhere, but that will end at some point. Other then that, and the chewing, he's a good little guy. He already seems to know what "No" means and will stop chewing something when we say it. He's also learning "come" fairly quickly... although Brent wants to train him to respond to Harry Potter spells... like "accio" for "come" and "Avada Kadavra" for lay down... but we haven't gotten that far yet.

Mariska is absolutely in love with this little guy. Brynley is in love with him at a distance. We're pretty happy with him!!

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!! We had a great day! We all went up to Plano to have dinner with my extended family. I, of course, forgot our camera. I was too focused on not forgetting Brynley's baby potty, because that's all she'll go in without a huge, dramatic, "scar her for life" ordeal. It was lots of fun to catch up with my cousins and Aunts and meet some of my Uncle Mike's family. Mariska and Brynley were able to play with my cousin Garrette's 8 year old daughter Gracyn. Mariska was her 2nd shadow, but Brynley was pretty glued to their pool table.
After dinner we drove down to the DFW National Cemetary and visited my Grandpa Jack's grave. He was truly missed this Thanksgiving.
Once we were home we talked to both our parents and the girls enjoyed a special treat.... SKYPE with the Rasmussen family! We should all start to do this. The girls loved actually seeing their cousins. It was lots of fun for all of us.

Today, we got down our decorations and watched Christmas movies all day. The best one ever is, of course, The Muppets' Christmas Carol. We also watched the claymation Rudolf The Rednosed Reindeer, Elf and a Barney Christmas special.

This year we have a new Christmas tree!! We went from our old 4 footer to a 7 footer and it's lots more fun. The girls loved decorating it and seeing all of their yearly ornaments, especially the "Baby's First Christmas" ones we have with their baby pictures in them.

Brent also made his lengendary apple pie...

Brent also had lots of fun smoking a turkey!!! It was fabulous!! When you smoke a turkey, you don't eat the skin... but the meat is soft and juicy. It was heavenly.

Now we're all gearing up for Christmas! Happy Holidays!!

This last Monday, Mariska had her Kindergarten Pow Wow! In honor of Thanksgiving, they dressed as indians and made crafts, played games and performed songs. Brent went to help and ran the "pin the tail on the turkey" game. We were asked to keep younger siblings home, so I stayed home with Brynley. As you can see, they both had a great time!!

Afterwards, Brent stayed and sat with Mariska during lunch. Her school has a special table up on stage just for students eating with special guests! So cute!

School Bus!

Best part of my day...



Minus Mariska's attitude. :)

Halloween and such...

This is our witch pumpkin for the contest at Mariska's school. They had some super cute ones, like a Thomas Train, Frankenstien and a big spider. Our cowgirl and karate girl.... Brynley wasn't so happy to pose.Trunk or Treat at the church and making milk jug ghosts with Daddy and Grandma Eldridge.

Trick or Treating at home with Grandma and Grandpa!!

Running through our very, very tall weeds.

In other news, Brent finished another Masters class!! He only has one left and it's going to be a beast, so I'm looking for a good book to read every night for the next 6 weeks!!