To Name...or Not to Name

We really hate to give the puppies names as we know they won't be ours forever and it will be harder as they go to their new families. Plus we know those families will have their own names to give to the puppies. Still, with all the cute markings, some are bound to get called something or other.

Here are our girls (in no particular order):

She has what looks like a white eagle on her back.

She is pure white.

She has what looks like a diamond on her back.

Here are our boys (in no particular order):

He has what looks like a Zorro mask so that's what I call him but Phillip calls him Goggles.

He has just one little spot on the side of his face.

He has one big patch on the top of his head and a hint of one by his eye. I also affectionately call him Chunk because he is our 24 hour nurser!

This little guy was our surprise #12 and he is slightly smaller than all the others, but he knows me and my smell and will cuddle up to me.

And here is the whole bunch during nap time just after a bed change.

Having puppies has been such a fun experience. It's kinda draining like having kids. I am constantly doing laundry and get 3ish hours of sleep each night. Their noises are cute and whimpers make us laugh. I would pay a gazillion dollars (and Shelby might do the greatest trick ever) if someone invented a puppy pacifier though! We love them all and can't wait to see their personalities. For now I'm okay with them being small and confined to just the kiddie pool.

Less Than 100 Days...

In honor of Christmas being less than 100 days away, and the fact that a crazy tradition my family has is to play Christmas music September 1st and it got me in the mood, I decided to FINALLY make myself a Christmas planner that I can re-use every year! I kept it simple and made it in under 2 hours (I promise because I did it while watching Christmas Vacation)! I am in love with organization - that's no secret - but it feels like I am starting off the holiday season on the right foot! I always get over zealous and don't have time to finish even half of the things I wish I had. So, here's to an organized Christmas!

The Front

This one is my favorite so it is a stand alone photo. If you know me, then you know that I LOVE doing our yearly Christmas card! I have an excel spreadsheet of who is receiving one and their address, which I put into the pocket. I also have a sample of the coming years card that I design around the first of September (psh don't think I am giving you a sneak peak for this years) that I slip into the pocket too. And of course I put on my calendar to mail them out December 1!

Dog Pile

We Have Puppies!!!

Any Day Now...

The puppies should be here any day now! We are so excited! We LOVE feeling the puppies kick and it makes us laugh when we see her tummy moving.

Simple Smoothies

In my efforts to provide my husband with some quick breakfasts (because I'm lazy like that), I thought I'd share his favorite. I take a bag like this from Sam's Club ($7.50)...

...and snack baggies like this ($1.50 Walmart)...

...and end up with roughly 18 baggies full of frozen fruit, that I promptly divide into two large gallon freezer bags.

So what right? Well here is where my hubby's independence comes in (he totally thinks I save him so much time, haha if he only knew). He uses one little baggie of fruit, a 6 oz container of yogurt (his favorites are blackberry pomegranate, blueberry acai, strawberry mango, or cherry pomegranate), and a 1/4 a cup of milk (but this varies depending on how thick you want it). Then blend! Easy, right?! And a happy husband to boot!

P.S. Who knew that ZIPLOC had some great recipes? I'm sorta glad I hopped onto their website to steal a picture from them!

Breakfast Made Easy

While I was browning my meat for dinner last night I made 9 breakfast sandwiches. Yes friends, it's true. It took me 15 minutes to make and freeze these beauties!

Here's what I used (personal preference).

That cool egg contraption can be found at Walmart for about $3.50.

I toasted my English Muffins while my eggs cooked (1 egg + 1/2 tbls water + 1 minute in microwave). Then I layered sausage patty, egg, and cheese. When it cooled after a minute or so I put it in an individual ziplock baggie. At the end I put all the sandwiches into a big bag and wrote the instructions on the top.

P.S. Your cooking time may vary. Most microwaves it takes 90 seconds, our new one takes 60.