Mike is so happy it's November 1

I love Halloween so very much. It's definitely my favorite day of the year!!

To celebrate I treated myself to this spooky treat at lunch

When I got home Mike made sure our front porch lights were working (to welcome trick-or-treaters!)

And I assembled our candy bowl!

We actually had a decent crowd this year and we loved all the kiddos in their costumes. I turned the lights off at 7:30 and happy to report no teenage hooligans rang our bell :)

The adults had a few spooky spirits

I rocked my totally glamorous Halloween sweatshirt

And Brooksy guarded the front door, just like last year. I took a comparison shot and just...wow.

Only 364 more days until Halloween!!!

Baby bear's birthday

Today our little man turned 1!

We can't believe it's been a year since we brought Brooksy into our home.

Who would have thought this little bundle of fur

Would become this giant beast?

We celebrated with an ice cream treat for Mom and Dad

And maybe a lick or two for baby bear

 

Followed by a birthday Frosty Paw!

  
Happy birthday Brooksy! We can't imagine our lives without you :)

Balli-ful

So this is what 28 feels like.

I had a great birthday! Both my boys were home and I woke up to a pancake breakfast complete with cards. Brooksy got me a sweet card filled with his favorite toy: Q-Tips.

We hung around the house all morning and hit up the park after a delicious homemade lunch (I love my chef husband!)

 

I think the only word Brooksy really understands is 'fetch.' He loves to play with that ball!

I love walking around the park with B and wearing him out. Also I found this sappy tree on our stroll and it fascinated me!

Attempted a sweet family photo but Brooksy only wanted to photo-bomb us

He loves the water!

After cleaning up Mom and Pop headed to Balliceaux for dinner.

Admittedly Mike and I are restaurant snobs. But seriously people; this place was GOOD.

Mike proclaimed it his 'new favorite Richmond restaurant.' I couldn't stop eating long enough to make a statement. 

It definitely didn't suck.

28 is turning out to be pretty great!

From your boos

You know how they say you spend more time with your colleagues than with your spouse?

Probably explains why these girls know me so well.

Homemade pumpkin ice cream!

Peppermint Patty Cupcakes!

So sweet and thoughtful. Sugar crash followed shortly after. 

But totally worth it :)

Scenes from an Italian restaurant

We had a wonderful anniversary dinner at La Grotta!

The food was delicious and the company was charming :)

On to year #3!

Crazy Christmas

Christmas was insane this year. Too many presents, a lot of family time and excessive amounts of food (and drinks!) I could go into detail but frankly it was too exhausting the first time around and pictures are more exciting!

We challenged ourselves to 'The 12 Drinks of Christmas' and each picture we took to document the number was funnier than the last:

Lots of ugly sweaters were sported

And some of us learned the secret family sauce recipe.

Of course there were lots of presents

 

And a non-stop food feast!

What a blast :)

 

Brooksy did a bad bad thing.

This is our Christmas tree.

Does it look a little sad? A little worse for the wear?

Maybe that’s because this guy can’t stay away from it.

Oh, don’t believe that sweet little face. He is no angel. Not even 6 months old and he’s entering the terrible toddler phase.

Everything goes in his mouth. Everything gets barked at. The tree was no exception. I knew having a tree would be a challenge with a puppy but wasn’t expecting to yell every 5 seconds to stop eating the ornaments or chewing the branches.

He sniffed curiously at it the first night, got brave and licked it the second night and by the third night it was his new hiding spot. He curls up and stares at you until you physically remove him from behind it. FYI--he’s pushing 50 pounds now so this is no easy task. One night I went to dislodge him, he flipped out and went running and the tree came with him. Ornaments and expletives went flying. I rushed to pick up the hooks before he could eat them. Brooksy just looked at me, barked and walked away.

Well, Santa brought Brooksy an early Christmas present!

The choke collar was a heated debate topic between Mike and I. He saw it as a necessary tool of discipline; I thought it was cruel and potentially damaging to our pup’s little throat.

After the tree incident there was no question I needed some help. Brooksy has already grown out of the harness we use on walks and I can barely control him when he lunges at cars and runners. We can’t have a 120 pound dog doing that so it was time to take action.

We only use the collar on walks and it isn’t the style that has the hooks in it so I am not concerned with its effects. I can admit that Brooksy listens to Mike more than me so the collar has been a good teaching tool for me and has taught that little devil some obedience. It’s been a godsend!

Now if only I could get him to stop chewing all the presents…..