Drake and Widgeon Go To The Vet!!!

The boys went into work today to have their annual vaccines and a teeth cleaning. Widgeon has had a mass on his front left arm for a couple months now. We also have been complaining about bad dog breath and nasty teeth for awhile. It was just time to take it off and get those pearly white look like new again. So this morning we headed to work with empty stomachs and sad faces....No big surprises or much exciting happened....however, I am embarrassed that these are my dogs at the moment. Widgeons teeth were disgusting I can't believe I have let them go this long and Drake....oh Mr Drake....fatty...fatty....fatty. He weight 83lbs... twenty pound more than he did last year at this time. While he needed to gain some weight last year after many months of vomiting and diarrhea...I don't think the magic number was twenty. SO...I guess that means we will just have to get out and do some more exploring and excercising (maybe not top off the old cup of food for a few months) Widgeons mass removal went well. He's such a boob though. there are few patients as upset and beside himself as Widgy is. He never want to go in a kennel at work unless he is the patient then he runs and hides...he drools like crazy and wines....poor Mr. Widgeon. I;ll have everyone know he topped the scales at 100 ibls today. I think while I wouldn't call him overweight he needs to get on the doggy treadmill as well. Here are some pathetic pictures of the boys after we got home. The are both in bed and sleeping soundly....Mama won't be too far behind...

Droopy eyes...

Widgeon....looking a little star struck...

Is it bed time yet.... (its been bed time all day)

Mama's handsome not so brave boy

Wheres dinner ma......

Pearly whites...
Chompers back in order....

Mr. Widgeon's sutures from his mass removal

Jen (my office manager/friend at work) put Widgeon's mass on her face and thought it would make a great mole!!! Creepy

Fast asleep....haven't moved since I started writting the blog...not sure where I'm going to fit in to that bed or Robert either when he gets home from poker with the boys....

Happy Easter 2009

What a gorgeous day......it makes me wish school was over that much faster. Robert got up early and made wonderful stuffed mushrooms with pork sausage from the pigs. He also made me breakfast in bed (thick piggie bacon and an apple turn over..mmmmm) We then headed to church were the little kids were just adorable and we spent most of mass whispering about all their outfits. From church we headed over to Jeremy and Michelle's for a wonderful get together with friends and their family. We had ham (from the piggies), turkey, stuffed mushrooms and all the fixings to go along with it. Robert and I helped hide Easter eggs out back for the kids Easter egg hunt. We had just as much fun hiding the eggs as the kids had hunting for them. After a lovely meal outside in the sunshine and a few good laughs we headed home to pick up the boys. Chris and his dog Tux joined us for a drive out to Horseshoe Springs for a early evening dip. Tux has never swam before so the boys quickly initiated him and he picked up the art of splashing around before long.

Robert and Chris

Tux sitting on the bank watching the boys......thinking "I don't know about this guys"

Tux trying to swim but more splashing...

Robert and Chris calling Tux over.

Once he got it down he was flying...(not swimming)

Chris and Tux...love this picture

As some of you may know Widgeon is an avid fisherdog. He takes after his father in that he loves to hunt and fish...he also comes home sorely disappointed and skunked. He has been trying to catch a bass or carp at Horseshoes springs for two years now and spends all his time watching the water then diving in if he sees a fish in the water ( horsehoe springs has very clear water) or if he sees one antagonizing him by jumping. Poor dog....it drives him crazy. He was so close this time and even put his head underwater but came up empty mouthed. He even tried to catch a muskratthat darted into the bank. Poor Widgy...he'll catch one before he leaves Utah. In the mean time it is extremely entertaining to watch and he has so much fun doing it.

Widgeon scanning the water for fish....

Widgeon swimming around looking for fish and muskrats.

I got one......nope I missed

Widgeon, Daddy and uncle Chris looking for the fish...

Mamma stop taking my picture....your interrupting fishing

See ma you made me miss a fish I heard it jump over there (lips flying as head turns)

Drake on the other hand only cares about fetching his rubber floaty stick.....
Stick....stick.....stick

Widgeon and Drake fetching stick

Tux and Drake playing

Handsome man

While the boys were playing and fishing....down at the other end of the springs I found a large group of American Avocets. I suspect they are using the area for breeding, as they typically show back up in March and their breeding season is from April to June. GSL counts of the American Avocet have exceeded 250,000 – greater than any other site within the entire Pacific Flyway. The GSL is an extremely important ecosystem to the American Avocet. I was also able to see non breeding Avocet which have a differing plumage that doesn't display the rust colored head.
Female on right, male on left (females beaks are more turned up)

Flock of American Avocets

Beautiful birds

It was such a wonderful sunny day. I even got sun burnt during the hour we were at the springs. It was great to get some fresh air and relax after a long week of exams and rain. These pictures make me long for more nice weather, camping, hiking and spending weekends at the lake.....makes it hard to study. At least the boys got out some energy before they are locked up in the house all week while I study.....speaking of I need to knock this blogging off and get back to it.....Happy Easter everyone...hope your days was as lovely as ours.

This about says it all....Drake and his stick.....Widgeon wouldn't look at camera he's too busy fishing.....Tux's head coming into view!!!

Happy Birthday 2009

SO this year we had a huge turn out and a wonderful time for our annual birthday dinner. The last couple of years we have gone to PF Changs, but this year opted to go to Stone Ground. After spending the morning trying to get a hold of someone at the restaurant to no avail Robert finally spoke to the manager of Stone Ground who wouldn't take a reservation because it was Friday night and would not accommodate all 20 people in our party. After royaly pissing Robert off, Margo suggested Buca de Beppo's who was wonderful at accommodating us with such short notice and smiling faces. For those of you who do not know what Buca de Beppo's is all about, it is a family style itialian resturant, which makes ordering for 21 people quite the overwhelming task. We all had to agree on a few dishes and someone has to take charge to get the descsions made and everyine happy. We had a wonderful time and had great company. It is so great to be able to get 21 of our closest friends together and have a night of catching up and fun. Thanks you all for making it such a joyous celebration with lots of laughs. For those of you who couldn't be here to celebrate my 25th and Roberts 28th here are the pictures. ( the only ones not on here anr Brian, who bought me some gorgeous roses and Chris) See you all next year.....if we are here in SLC.

Robert, Gadas, Chris, Ryan and Kelsey waiting to be seated!!!!

Janice and Annette
Thanks Margo for putting together such a great night!!!! Can't wait to go to the Melting Pot!!!
Kevin King and his girlfriend. Sorry Kev. I'm bad with names just means we need to hange out with you two more!!!!
Wouldn't be a birthday with out a pictureof me and Kevin. At least I don't have umbrella's in my hair in this one!!!
Janice and Aaron Hamm
Drew and Allese Smith

Gadas and Annette

Tim and Monica

Ryan and Kelsey Frisbee
Erin and Kyle Evans

Everyone signig Happy Birthday...robert and I fighting over the candel

MMM...cake