Priceless

My little take on the popular Visa commercials…

  • Trip #1 to vet after dog gets into something, has allergic reaction, needs several lab tests, steroid shot and prednisone prescription – $361.78
  • Trip #2 to vet to pick up doxycycline antibiotic for positive Lymes disease test – $23.79
  • Trip #3 to vet the next week because allergic reaction returns, needs another steroid shot and prednisone prescription – $79.17
  • Trip #4 to vet because dog gets stung by insect, face swells, stops eating for three days, needs another steroid shot and prednisone prescription – $116.43
  • Seeing your daughter with her (now healthy) dog after being gone for several days…priceless.
Girl's Best Friend

 

*All of the above events happened within the past three weeks.  Fingers crossed that we are done with the vet until next year’s check up.

T.G.I.F. (Actually It’s Now Saturday)

Friday nights are traditionally pizza nights at our house.  This means I am off the hook from cooking.  Mike picks up Papa Murphy’s pizzas and we enjoy a movie or game night with the kids.  After a long work (or school) week, it’s something that we all look forward to.

Pizza Night

Tonight’s Game of Choice – Mario Brothers
Sophia recently learned how to play Mario Brothers.  Now that we have a third remote for the Wii, the kids along with Mike are able to sharpen their Wii skills to conquer Mario world.  I’ve never actually played the game myself.  I’m a little too intimidated since they have nearly mastered the game.

Mario Brothers

 

Before pizza and game night, we took Daphne for a walk around the neighborhood.  Even though it’s only early February, the melting snow and warm temperatures make it feel like spring.  Daphne was busy smelling all the new scents that have appeared.  She seems to have the energy of a puppy even though she’s seven years old.  Or maybe she has spring fever like the rest of us.

Daphne - How About We Go For A Walk?
When The Sun Goes Down

 

We aren’t planning a winter/spring vacation this year, but will instead spend an overnight at a local hotel so that the kids can enjoy the pool, hot tub and an awesome continental breakfast the next morning complete with Belgian waffles.  We won a gift certificate during a silent auction fundraiser last fall and thought it might be a good time to use it.  The hotel we will be staying at also has outdoor fire pits for roasting marshmallows and making s’mores.  It’s only a mini “staycation”, but we are all looking forward to it.

We will also spend a night in Minneapolis to check out the Twin Cities Auto Show.  After over 13 blissful years with our SUV, this is the year that we are going to have to say goodbye.  With a leaky sunroof and leaking oil, along with small spots of rust starting to appear, we plan to find something more fuel-efficient (and cool).   With two growing kids, a dog, a small boat to tow and winter driving in Duluth, a new four-wheel drive vehicle is an investment we really need to make later this year.

Preparations for our Super Bowl party are underway.  I was supposed to spend the day cleaning, grocery shopping and prepping for the big day.  The party is pretty low-key with our fellow fantasy football players and friends, along with their kids.  Everyone brings something to share.  Mike suggested earlier in the week that we go skiing on the weekend and I politely reminded him that we will be hosting the party at our house for the first time.  He and the kids made promises to help with everything – cleaning, shopping and cooking – if I would agree to go skiing.  I couldn’t turn down a warm, sunny day and ended up playing hooky from my chores to hit the slopes.  I have no regrets, but am left with a big to-do list for tomorrow.  I hope everyone in our house gets a good night’s rest tonight, because tomorrow is a work day!

Halloween Preparations

We spent the weekend getting into the Halloween spirit by attending Glensheen Mansion’s Halloween Spooktacular event, carving pumpkins and prepping Halloween costumes.  I just have to start with this photo because I think it is my favorite of the weekend.  We also found out from the veterinarian that Daphne’s tumor was benign and the margins were clean.  She is a healthy and happy Boxer!

Boxer O'Lantern And Daphne

 

Back to the Glenshen Spooktacular ~  With hundreds of Jack ‘O Lanterns illuminating the seven acre grounds of Glensheen mansion, we couldn’t help but go and get inspired for our own pumpkin carving.  There were many of the traditional carvings and some that caught our eye including SpongeBob, Tinkerbell, pirates, owls and other amazing designs.  Without a tripod, it was impossible to photograph the glowing pumpkins.  We did take a few photos along the way using flash so that we could capture some of the unique pumpkins.

Spooktacular
Rotting Pumpkins
Pumpkin Ravine
Front Hall Staircase
Eerie Path
At The Creepy Boathouse

 

The outdoor tour ended with roasting marshmallows over a fire pit and making yummy s’mores.  The perfect way to end a chilly evening.

S'more

 

Today we started the day by gutting our pumpkins and then jumped right into carving.  Sebastian and Sophia enjoyed getting their hands inside the “guts” and pulling out all the stringy mess including the much coveted pumpkin seeds.  We saved every seed so that we can roast them in the oven.  Mike and the kids enjoy the salty, crunchy treat.

The Guts
Carving
Little Helper
Pumpkin Seeds

 

Sebastian carved his pumpkin by himself.  Mike helped tape the pattern on the pumpkin and Sebastian took it from there.  Here is his finished spooky pumpkin.

Spooky Face

 

Sophia chose a Dracula pattern for her mini pumpkin.

Dracula

 

And because I needed an extra challenge this year, I chose a Boxer.  It was time-consuming, but not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be.

Boxer
Jack O'Lantern Trio

 

I don’t think Daphne was quite as excited about her pumpkin portrait as I was.  However, she did feel the need to lick the boxer pumpkin’s ears…but I guess that’s not unusual.  She licks everyone.

Really? You Think It Looks Like Me?

 

Can’t wait for costumes and candy tomorrow…