Scout Continued...

(Because one post with just Scout pictures wasn't quite enough.)

Scott with Scout- and yes, the similarity in names does get confusing at times!

 Natalie and Scout enjoying popsicles!

Scout especially loves to attack Kate.  The screams and squeals may have something to do with that! 

Here Prince was checking out Scout during one of her naps.  Brave kitty- Scout slept through it!  We can understand the saying, "Curiosity killed the cat!"

Love the harness!

She falls alseep in funny positions!

 First Gator Ride

After a few weeks of keeping Scout indoors, we realized that an outdoor pen was a nice option!  I am not sure that Scout agrees. 

"Please let me back in to play!"

A friend told us that dogs love Crocs, so I bought a pair at a garage sale specifically for Scout, and she's thoroughly enjoyed them!

Caught in the Act

First Bath

I think I'm all caught up on Scout pictures.  My kids have been kind of neglected in the photo department for the last several weeks!:)   We now return to the regular scheduled blog posts...

Meet Scout!

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” 

-Charles Dickens (he must have had a puppy!)

Six weeks ago, we brought home this adorable little rascal.  The kids were soooo excited to have Scout become the newest member of our family!

We had watched YouTube videos, checked out dog training books, and listened to advice from various dog owners regarding the best techniques for puppy-rearing.  I felt pretty confident that we'd be able to have her whipped into shape in no time, and that it would be bliss.  I should have realized that when people responded to my idea to keep a lab in our kitchen with an "Oh My!" that I would be in for more of a challenge!   

Don't get me wrong, we have all taken a liking to Scout.  However, she is a ton of work- something I wasn't anticipating.   "Good thing you're cute!" has come out of my mouth more than once over the past several weeks!

Softest Fur Ever!

We've also taken on a new appreciation for the cats since getting a dog.  Cats are very low maintenance compared to a rambunctious puppy. 

We chose her out of a litter of ten.  Both of her parents are black labs!

I wanted to become a dog breeder after seeing all of these adorable pups together.  I've since come to my senses!

She can't quite jump up on the porch yet, but that day is coming!

 Blue-eyed Baby!

Sweet Scout! 

Many more Scout pictures to come...she's changing so quickly.

Snow Break

Kate appropriately dubbed and referred to SPRING BREAK as SNOW BREAK this year.  It's sad when the kids are even over the snow and groan when they hear accumulation is possible.  Besides the strange weather and having to tweak a few plans, the kids did enjoy having a week off of school.

 Look at the depth of this snow!  This was certainly a no joke snowfall! 

All ready to head off to church for Resurrection Sunday!

The Easter egg hunt had to be indoors this year, but there were still plenty of hiding spots. Even Howdy Doody got in on the action!:)

 Scott- 9

 Natalie-7

 Kate- 5

We were able to have a few playdates with friends and also some extra time with the cousins over break!

Scott has a little odometer on his bike, and he and Grandpa like to compare mileage.  His goal was 200 miles by April 1st, and so he did several trips up and down the driveway in the cold recently to meet his goal!  He then reset his odometer and has started accumulating miles for next year's goal. 

 And finally, a crazy cat picture.  Ever feel this way?!

March Minutes

Gotta get a March post up before April!!  We've had some nice days sprinkled in over the past month.  It has given us a hope of the warmer weather to come.  It's so nice when the kids can go out for some driveway fun!

 They were playing Follow the Leader (if you couldn't tell). 

A few weeks ago, I got to attend Scott's field trip to a park to learn how maple syrup is made.  I told Jon that I'm glad I didn't have a quiz afterwards because despite a detailed tour and explanation, I was too cold to focus on the guide's words.  The third graders however didn't seem to mind the chilly morning or the MUD! 

Natalie dressed like American Girl Doll, Julie, for a special day at school.  Kate wanted to join in the fun too, of course!

Natalie's looking more grown up all the time.  Comments like this though scare me...

Natalie (frustrated):  Mommy, as soon as I move out of this house, I am gonna buy 3 pairs of high heels, 4 bottles of nail polish, 2 bottles of lipstick, and 10 pairs of earrings!

Scott had a big week last week.  He was in the spelling bee and the talent show!  We are proud of him, and he is relieved that both are behind him.  It seems that everyone who was in an elementary spelling bee has very vivid memories of it and forever remembers the word they went out on.  Mine, I hate to admit, was GHOST!  Scott will remember spelling NOTIFY when the announcer said NOTIFIED.  Ugh. 

Blurry picture below...I may have been shaking for him just a bit!:)

Natalie:  How can anyone look like their dad?  Since babies come out of moms, I get why they look like their moms, but how come some people look like their dads?  If you just kiss someone on the lips, that doesn't make you look like them.  I could kiss you on the lips, but that's not going to make you have a baby that looks like me. 

Me:  Well, it's more complicated than that.  The dads have more of a role.

Kate (very seriously):  Yeah, Daddy pays all of the money for us. 

 New blog material coming in two weeks...these furry friends may be a little jealous...