Walks + Chester's Girlfriend

It's finally been warm enough to be able to consistently take Chester for walks around the block. Adam has morning duty, and I take him on his evening stroll. 

One of the highlights for him is seeing his "girlfriend" in her yard on the other side of the block from us. If she's out in her yard, we always stop to say "Hello." 

If she's not outside, often he'll run up her front steps to look for her.

Sometimes she's dressed up. Today she was in an adorable blue dress. 

He loves her!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Chester!

He was less than thrilled about his holiday headwear which resulted in some hilarious bulgy eye photos.

Once bribed with treats, he decided it wasn't so terrible afterall -

 

Such a cute little boy!

Chester's Thanksgiving Vacation

So you may be wondering what little Chester was up to while we were off gallivanting in Louisiana. Well, he was having his own big adventure at my parent's house.

The night before we left on our trip, I took Chester and my sis (Thanksgiving break) to meet my parents in Roch for the exchange. I went alone, as Adam was with his family to celebrate his grandma's birthday. We met up, grabbed Chipotle for dinner, and then went our separate ways. Chester was pretty upset about it, but I hear he settled down pretty quickly.

He always has so much fun with my family, and loved that my mom was on Thanksgiving break and home with him almost every day.

My mom was kind enough to send us daily updates from the little guy so we wouldn't miss him too much.

Day 1 (Wednesday): 
"I slept well even though I was in my kennel. I had fun hiding under the bed and escaping from Grandma at bedtime. I really wasn't tired.
 I tried to be friends with the white dog next door, but she would not have anything to do with me. Fine. I already have a girlfriend.
 Lots of good sniffs here!"

[My mom got him a few new hats, which I'm sure he just loved...]
"What I won't do for a TREAT!"

 "Very busy helping decorate grandma and grandpa and Christine's tree"

Day 2 (Thursday, Thanksgiving):
"Did you go on vacation too?
I went for my walk this morning with Grandma and took your advice. I did NOT bark ridiculously at a white dog down the street even though she did at me.
I might have a new girlfriend!"

"The Packers bore me.
Don't tell Stine."

[After the Packers lost]
"Sad around here."

 Day 3 (Friday):
"Got grandma's attention by chewing on her jingle bell coaster. Only chewed on 2 bells. It worked bc look where I am now!"

"Having a little quiet time"

"I love my starfish!"

[watching a movie]
"I love it on grandma's lap!"

Day 4 (Saturday):
"Good morning! Grandma's comfy lap!"

"This is how I get treats now.
Another thing, Grandma won't let me sleep in bed with her.
I hate that kennel."

[because it was so cold for New Orleans on our trip]
"I bet I'm warmer than you are!"

"Busy relaxing."

[Starfish taken away and put in his bag]
"Let me explain about my starfish.
I love it.
I like to chew on it.
What is it doing in my bag?"

[he went and laid down under the tree all by himself]
"I love grandma, grandpa and Christine's tree!
Maybe they'll just leave me here tonight?"

"Who needs presents under the tree? I'm here!"

Day 5 (Sunday):
"I can't believe I had to sleep in that kennel again.
I tried to refuse to go in, but it didn't work.
Enjoying napping on grandma's lap now."

 [Aunt Carey kindly picked Chester and Christine up to take back. She dropped Chester off at Adam's parent's house for the night.]
"Grandma wants me to stay a little longer.
I don't want to hurt her feelings, but I really miss my mom and dad!

[Curt and Robin generously watched Chester for the night and day, before bringing him with to pick us up at the airport Monday night]

Day 6 (Monday):

"Hi mom and dad, it's snowing!"

[per Robin, "Chester was romping in it. Super cute!"]

WR: Christmas Celebration with the D's

Last weekend, we drove back to my parent's house to spend the weekend and celebrate Christmas as we would be in the Cities for the actual day.

It snowed/sleeted most of the way back, but we made it back safely by 7. Dad grilled some steak (fish for me) and shrimp for dinner, and we had a nice evening at home. We even watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation as a family.

On Saturday, we took my car down to the dealership to have the front brakes & rotors replaced. This was the perfect opportunity for Adam and I to finally get a tour of the completed new dealership. It is BEAUTIFUL. I've seen photos all along, as I've been updating the dealership facebook and blog, but pictures don't do it justice. I was blown away by how nice it was and how thoughtfully it was designed and layed out. While there, I went around and took lots of photos for the Before and Afters.

The customer lounge is beautiful. I enjoyed a few cappuccinos from the new coffee machine which also makes hot chocolate.

Adam and Dad took off to do some ice fishing, while Mom, Christine and I waited for my car to get done. 

 

While we waited, we walked next door and looked around at the former building. It was sad, but at the same time reaffirmed why the move was the right thing to do as the new facility is so much larger.

On the way home, we dropped off a few snacks for the ice fishermen, and Christine walked on the ice for the first time. 

 

Adam even caught a fish as we walked up!

The guys arrived home around 2:30, and we sat down for our customary Christmas Eve dinner of ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, corn, and cranberry sauce. Everything was delicious.

After a few family photos,

it was time to exchange gifts! There were so many generous and thoughtful gifts. 

 

Adam was sent on a scavenger hunt for his first gift. He unwrapped a note directing him to look on the back stairs. There he found a large toboggan with tall sides for his ice fishing gear.

His next gift was a note leading him to look in the hallway closet. There he was surprised to get the Abu Garcia Revo SX baitcasting reel he's been wanting. It's his third one, so I'm hoping he finally has enough!

 

He also got a shirt he picked out over the summer when Dad and him went to the Mississippi Rumble BassMasters Tournament.

Together we got a fun puzzle from my sister of signs on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. We also got a huge engraved rock with our last name, 2010 and a pug. I already have a spot in the garden picked out for it.

I received an old fashioned popcorn maker (Whirley Pop), C&B bowls, a quilting set with rotary + ruler + self-healing mat, and a travel kit. Probably my favorite gift was the big Tinsel Pig I had been wanting from Christine. I knew Adam would hate it, so made a big production of the unveiling. I was on the floor laughing so hard. It was great.

Chester was a big help opening gifts. He loves it.

 

He got a cute pug ornament from my sister, and a large Pottery Barn toy box shaped like a bone. He REALLY got into the unwrapping.

 

We gave Christine some treats from New Orleans as well as a Gomez Golden Glove Award t-shirt, and an alligator stuffed animal from the swamp tour we went on. Chester thought the gator was for him and was quite miffed that Christine wouldn't share.

 

For my dad, we got a non-stick green pan,

and my mom, a 2014 Humphrey the Pug Calendar. We love Humphrey!

We also gave them a variety of our favorite things from Trader Joe's since there isn't one near where they live.

That night, Mom and Dad went to a holiday party. Adam and I were supposed to meet up with some friends, but their flight was mega delayed so we weren't able to. We ended up hanging out with Christine and watching Jingle All the Way which was horrible, yet hilarious. It was nice to just relax and be together.

 

On Sunday morning, Dad made us a big breakfast and then the guys went ice fishing again. Mom, Christine and I played a never ending "quick" game of UNO (45 minutes long!) while watching the Vikings game.

We left around 4:30, and were home and unpacked by 7:30. Mom sent some gifts home with us to open on Christmas, and Chester was quite upset that he had to wait to open them. We couldn't put them under the tree, since he would actually open them, so he spent about 20 minutes barking and whining at the tub. Stinker.

I was sad that I wouldn't be celebrating on Christmas with my family, but I was so grateful that we were still able to get together and celebrate. It was a lovely weekend.