New weigh in today was down 3.8 lbs from where I was when I got home from NY.  I gained too much weight over christmas but I just couldn’t help being around yummy italian food and cookies.    The holidays aren’t quite over at my house either since my Nephew’s bday party is saturday and then a family party on Sunday.  Oh and my bday party will be saturday as well.  Best I can do is stay as focused as possible with all the parties and birthday cake!!

We had a fun day yesterday at Tanner park with our friends, Chase, Muffit, Tatum, and Cynthia.  I was happy to have a new camera to take some pics of the dogs running around!  We did lose tatum for a few minutes but she had happily joined up with another pack for her walk.   Eventually we found her again!

Here are some pics from the day:

I worked the day but had a surprise visit from Paul when I was getting ready for work. He brought some pretty flowers and he always makes me feel good because I know he cares about me.

After work, I went out to my parents house. My family had dinner and a cake for me. Ammon got to blow out the candles and open the presents. I had to help a bit with the cake because it was so lit up. After the candles were out, he decided that he wanted to cut the cake - with his fork. We all let him because he’s too cute to say no to.

The best part of the whole night was when Ammon wanted to play with my target stick. He thinks he’s born to be a dog trainer despite being a bit timid around the dogs. Who can really blame him for being timid when he’s surrounded by three big dogs that are all bigger than he is. Here is Ammon trying out the new target stick.

So here are pics from our trip:

Danny boy is the star puppy!  We had fun playing fetch and tug and giving him a really obnoxious screaming monkey which he later destroyed!!

Joseph was of course the highlight of our trip.  He’s so cute at 5 months and I can only imagine that he will just get cuter and cuter as he grows! 

Paul’s brother and sister in law went with us to the City.  We went to dinner at a turkish restaurant that turned out not to be so great.  We then made our way through the crowds to see the big tree.    It didn’t look so big really when it was surrounded by huge buildings.  

Babies are always sticking things in their mouths aren’t they?  Apparently Breanna wanted to suck on Joseph’s nose!

Proud Uncle Paul and his cute little nephew. 

We ate lots and lots of yummy cheese and cookies too.  No wonder I came home with a huge weight gain!  Oh well, I figure I was on vacation right?  Italian food in Utah just isn’t quite so yummy!

Paul and I lounged on this huge and comfy sectional everyday.  It didn’t do anything to burn off all the calories from the yummy food we were eating but it sure was nice to relax for a change!

And finally, one more of Joseph because he is just soo cute!

This beautiful girl has finally gone home!  It worked out for me to take her over there and complete the adoption last night after I got back to Salt Lake.  As we pulled up to the house, Sadie started barking and howling.  She was very happy to be there.  Once she went in she jumped and bounced and barked some more to express her glee in being with her new people.  She was very happy to see them. 

I’m a bit sad I didn’t get to spend one last day with her.  I figured it was best for her since I was working all day today though.  So we worked it out to take her home.

Sadie now has 3 kitty friends and two people who love her very much.  No more long days in the crate since one of her people is at home full time.  She also will be doing some clicker obedience and agility!  Maybe one day some flyball (we can keep hoping)!!

I feel really good about this placement!  I think Sadie feels good about it too.  I hope she adjusts to life there and I am excited to get updates about how things are going!!

Christmas day was nice and relaxing because we didn’t have a big family dinner until Friday.  I did wake up to a great breakfast and some very nice gifts from Paul and his parents.  Paul was generous and got me a new camera because he knew how much I was missing mine.  He also went in to get me this:

I have been wanting to go to tournament all year but haven’t been able to make it.  My friend Cynthia apparently came up with the idea and went in with Paul, his parents, my friend Ross and R3k9s for my Christmas and Birthday.  It was a wonderful gift and a complete surprise.  I felt a bit silly because I started bawling in front of Paul’s parents but I was just so happy and grateful to have wonderful friends who care so much about me!

I spent the weekend fiddling with the new camera.  I haven’t sorted through all the pics to upload the ones I like.  I just put a couple on last night so I would have some to post today.   This baby Joseph was the highlight of the trip.  He is such a happy baby and is Paul’s new nephew!  You can’t help but love such a cute little face!

Anyway, it’s nice to be back and Sadie, Dylan, and Marley were all very happy to see me.   Keep posted for Sadie’s announcement to be posted sometime today!

We are leaving tomorrow for NY to visit Paul’s family for Christmas.  I’m excited to eat some yummy italian food and see the big Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center and meet Paul’s new nephew. 

I am going to miss watching Ammon on Christmas.  At least his birthday is soon so I can see him then!  I’ll miss the puppies too but my sister and her husband will be taking good care of them I am sure. 

If  I get online I may post a bit but we will just see how things go!  I may be able to get some posts up from my phone too!!

Have a great Christmas and I will get caught up on all the blogs next week when I get back!

This week’s Biggest Losers are Christy and Jackie with a loss of 3.0 pounds! Wow! Please stop by and congratulate Christy and drop Jackie an email.

Here are the results for this week:

Chris - 2.6 Gain
Tammy - 0.5 Loss
Ciara - No Change
Grace - 1.8 Gain
Leigh - 1.6 Gain
Clara - 4.0 Gain
Julie - 0.8 Loss
Audrey - No Change
Christy - 3.0 Loss
Tina - No Report
Danielle - No Report
Jessie - No Report
Steph - No Report
CYN - No Report
Jackie - 3.0 Loss

And please welcome my friend Sally Jo - 0.6 Loss

Our grand total this week is a 2.1 Gain.