Happy FURst Birthday

 Happy FURst Birthday Tater!! We got an adorable PUPdate from Tater, complete with his own emoji, and he just might be the coolest dog in town!!! With many adventures with his FURever family, Tater Tot says his first trip around the sun was a PAWesome one and he can't wait FUR more! 

Tater has enjoyed summer to the fullest!

From sandy fetching fun

 Splashy swimmy fetching fun

To holding down the deck

And enjoying boat life

Tater Tot is living life to its fullest with love and Tail-Wagging Devotion!

Happy FURst Birthday Tater!!

Thank you for the PUPdate <3

Always,

Amelia

End of an Era: Backpack Edition

Thatcher has been doing AMAZING with all his gross motor skills and with his new sets of shoes, there is just no stopping him now! We walk most nights through the woods to my Grandmother's house (their GG- said like 'Gigi' but spelled the cool way as she is the hippest lady I have EVER known and is Hazel Bea's namesake) to have a family sit down dinner all together. I have been walking Thatcher in the carrier backpack until the other night when my Dad said, "I bet he could walk all the way home!" and I thought... CAN he walk all the way home?????

And so after the steep entrance into the woods, I pulled Thatcher off my back, out of the backpack (honestly it was a risky choice because once you unpack a toddler, there is NO going back!!!)....

and set him on the path.

And ADVENTURE we DID!!! (And before you ask, YES with a rock pet for Hazel OBVIOUSLY)

My little family of three walked 

ALL 

The way 

~(With little toddling wandering wondering steps)~

~(Wait for us Hazel!!)~

Home!

Hazel found matching flowers for us all

and the kids still had energy to play with the doggies when we let them out for a potty break!

Best of all...

THEY ALL SLEPT SOUNDLY

THE END

I think I might just retire the backpack!

It's the end of an era *sniff sniff*

BUT the beautiful beginnings of the next <3

Always,

Amelia 

Caturday Crunchy Club

Taboo's Devon Rex Kittens are really growing now!!! They have been exploring their solid food options and have declared both crunchy dry cat food and wet canned food are absolutely delicious! 

Their curious nature as they explore the world around them is so sincerely sweet. I particularly love the drive by snuggles as they wind their bodies over our feet, purr, and then go about their adventure.

Adventure is out there!

OHHH and Always Amelia too!

Do you think that means it is snack time?

OHH she's going to the cabinet

YES! She is grabbing the kitten food!!!

Oh kitty kitty kitties! Who wants a snack!?

ME! ME!! ME!

Awwww there is plenty of crunchies for everyone my little cuties!!!

Happy Caturday from the Crunchie Club!

Always,

Amelia

Partial Eclipse of the Moon (Heartttttt)

 Is it just me, or does anyone else's brain HAVE to sing "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler ANY TIME they hear Eclipse? In either case we had an AWESOME viewing of the partial  (96%) lunar eclipse last night!

Around 11:15pm we were already at fifty percent of the moon eclipsed in shadow 

It was the most perfect night for a special show in the sky

As the Umbra ,or hard shadow, covered the moon

We got to see that beautiful shade of orange

Nature has been CRAZY here lately

And I have to say, I MUCH prefer this kind of spectacle!

Even if... "Once upon a time there was light in my life.... But now there's only love in the dark"

"Nothing I can say"

"Total eclipse of the hearrrrrt"

Will be on REPEAT in my head for days on end

Totally worth it for skies like this!

Nothing I can do, partial eclipse of the moooooon!

AHHH Thank you Sky!! And Bonnie Tyler <3 

Always,

Amelia

A TOADily Reptilian Summer

 I don't know if it is from the barrage of storms, the bouncing of hot to cool temperatures, or what that has caused a booming of reptiles in our yard, but we are HOPPIN over here! 

*SKIP this next paragraph if you are only interested in four-legged reptiles*

~First we have a garter snake that inhabits the left lower corner of the yard. They are very fond of the leafy piles that have been blown into the corner since the fall and made a perfect fluffy ground cover. Then we have a milk snake that dwells in the stone pile on the hill towards the back of the property. The milk snake is a little more recluse, but it has DEFINITELY gotten me a few times with "Where did this dog leash come from?? OH MY NOT A LEASH!!!" moments.  I have AWESOME pictures of both snakes as we see them quite often, but then I realized many people (like my mother especially) have a deep seeded fear of snakes and so I deleted their pictures from here. SO for everyone who does like snakes... We have two really cool ones that I am teaching Hazel all about - We don't have to be afraid as long as we give space and respect. Also please don't stick your fingers anywhere you cannot see.~

I personally do not know anyone afraid of frogs or toads so here comes the fun part!

We have tiny toads 

(I am guessing toads not frogs because of the bumps and lack of standing water anywhere on our property)!!

Like really tiny!

SUPER DUPER TINY

And they are EVERYWHERE!!

This guy needs a tiny leaf umbrella

And I imagine the coziest of toadstool cottages waiting for them to return to

I took so many TOADily cute pictures and a video for William <3

Welcome to the Always Amelia TOADily Reptilian Summer

Ribbit Ribbit CROAK (silent slither look awaaaay)

Always,

Amelia

Georgie Girl!

 We got a super sweet PUPdate from one of our Havanese puppies!!! Georgie girl is doing GREAT!

She is now 7.5lbs and was SUPER brave at the vet and is just fitting in PAWfectly with her FURever family. Georgie even gets to explore her human's office as the Happiness Coordinator! 

It's a big job for a little dog

But one I can do with confidence!! 

Because every day is a happy day

When you are a Havanese <3 

Awwww!

Thank you for the PUPdate Georgie!!!!

Always,

Amelia

Excuse Me.... WHAT?!?

 WHAT IN THE WHAT IS THIS WEATHER?!?!?!

I swear we have spent more time in the basement than ever this year! And maybe you all think that I just have incredible anxiety about storms.... CAN it still be called anxiety when everything keeps happening my brain is worried about?!?? What if there is a tornado - CHECK, what if everything floods- CHECK, what if all your trees fall down- CHECK CHECK and CHECK. Oh and to add to our chaos of fun... How about this one... What if your sister gets hit by lightning INSIDE the attached garage grabbing milk out of the extra fridge at our Grandma's house.... CHECK. That's right, new fear unlocked. My poor sister got struck by lightning INSIDE and had to go to the emergency room. It was such a strong zap that it dropped her to the ground and that says EVERYTHING you need to know about my retired Marine Corps sister. This girl goes through Tough Mudder races that have obstacles that shock you for FUN. In true Abigail fashion she still came upstairs with the gallons of milk and then put them on the floor and went "I think I was just hit by lightning". And then sat down next to the milk. My flabbergasted brain could NOT comprehend this AT ALL. "YOU WHAT??!?" I think this is the first time in a long time that I actually mini panicked because I in fact did NOT know what to do if you were zapped from inside the house by lightning. Is it the same as being outside?!?! For all future references... The answer is you go to the hospital. She was immediately checked in at the emergency room and they hooked her up to an EKG. She needed observation and blood work taken every hour. THANKFULLY her heart is okay and she was released several hours later. All her blood work shows that she was super electrocuted and that REALLY REALLYYYY HURT. I am just so grateful for how tough she is. I am grateful she didn't let my grandma grab the milk, I am grateful she didn't have William with her to get the milk or the other kids. I am grateful. I am grateful we get to go to bed tonight all okay. 

And please please please... If you have a concrete floor in a garage, it does NOT matter that it is "inside" the house. A wet UNGROUNDED floor is a wet ungrounded floor. ALWAYS wear shoes in an electrical storm and better yet, put rubber mats by your appliances. Your body will thank you. 

So forgive me if I seem storm antsy... We seem to be going through it here!

New Fear Unlocked...

Stay Safe Out (and IN) There!!

Always,

Amelia

Henry and the Turtle

 We got a HILARIOUS PUPdate from Henry Bennett! Things with sweet Henry are going so well and he had another great vet trip and is allllmost 25lbs of pure Tail-Wagging Devotion. Henry is so excited to start puppy kindergarten and his big sister Julie and he are even closer than before! Henry and Julie are playing more than ever and Julie is loving showing her little brother all her favorite things. Like her favorite walking park!

Two best buddies sharing a PAWfect afternoon

And here young Henry, is the lovely park turtles. I always like to say hello

UMMM THE WHAT!??!?!

JULIE!! ARE WE SURE WE LIKE TURTLES!?!?!

AHHH safe and sound in my turtle free bed!

HAHAH oh Henry!!! Thank you for the giggles!

Your PUPdates brighten our days!

Always,

Amelia

Dragon's Love Tacos: Happy Birthday Mrs. Yesteryear Acres!

Happy Birthday to the one and only Mrs. Yesteryear Acres!!!

Today we get to celebrate all things my Mom loves...

Fresh garden salsa

Perfect party size for soup bowl sized portions!

ALL the colors of the wind

And dragons

Put that all together and what do you get?

A Dragons Love Tacos party!!!

Complete with the trifecta of desserts: homemade mini chocolate chip cookie dough, homemade vanilla ice cream, and chocolate cake (boxed as requested) topped with special dragon fire candles of course!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Thank you for everything you do, and teaching us to ALWAYS be true to ourselves

We love you so very much

And your tastes in desserts

Here is to many many more <3

Happy birthday to the woman who lives and loves as ferociously as a dragon, with all the colors of the wind wrapped up in the grace of a peacock, and the uniqueness of a phoenix. The way you love and care for all those around you makes us (human and furry alike!) the luckiest around. 

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Always,

Amelia