Maggie's Birthday

Today is Maggie's 4th Birthday!  It was 4 years ago that we plowed our way through 4 feet of snow (eventually 7 feet) to make it to the hospital to have her.  It has been quite a trip with her but she is the sweetest, cutest, most full of life little girl and I love her so much!  Here are a couple of pictures of her special day.  She took pink cupcakes to school.  Then after Matthew got home she opened her presents.  After that, we went downtown and had Santa pictures taken and we rounded out the evening with sushi and cake.  I made her a mermaid cake because she is obsessed with mermaids right now!!!  All in all it was a great day.  The kicker is when she came home from school and announced "It is my birthday and I can do what I want!"  WOW!

FINALLY!

I have finally caught up on my posting.  There are three below this one in case you are interested:)  This is a picture from Chris' Christmas party.  We took Peter and I put him in his "fancy" clothes!!

Matthew's Program

Thursday night we had Matthew's Christmas program.  It was quite interesting...let's just say that the CDC wasn't incorrect in predicting this year's flu season.  A poor kindergartner threw up on stage and apparently there were a few more back stage!  Nasty.  Other than that, it was a really cute, sweet program.  We bought the front row pew at the auction so we had a nice view of all the action. (Including the puke) They do a great job with the program and it was so cute to see all the kiddos up there!

Maggie's Christmas Program

Maggie had her pre school program last week on Wednesday.  She was so excited and so cute.  She was mostly excited about her new Christmas dress that she got to wear.  It was so cute to see her sing her heart out.  She had practiced for us doing the motions.  It was precious!!

Otis

Last week was quite a pricey week for the Herzog family.  Let's just say that I am glad we had planned some extra money in savings because it seemed like it was one of those weeks.  Anyway, one of the things that happened pertained to Otis.  I know that many of you are thinking "I thought you were annoyed with Otis most of the time."  Yes that is a true statement.  He sometimes drives me nuts and I yell at him but he is my first born and I love him.  On Wednesday of last week he seemed off.  He was really depressed and not eating or drinking.  I thought at first it was because I bought him a new bag of dog food and he is really picky (I am being serious) but when we started not drinking and just laying under my bed I was worried.  I called my vet but they were all booked up until Friday.  I was super stressed out that he had cancer or something.  We took him in Friday and they had him all morning.  Our vet (she is amazing btw) called and said that she did some xrays and blood work and gave him some anti inflammatories and pain killers.  All I heard was "cha ching, cha ching and cha ching..."  (for the record it was about $350) As it turned out he strained a muscle in his back and it was so painful he couldn't eat or drink.  Our vet loves Otis and was telling me how great he was and that he would be a bit groggy when he got home.  WELL he came home and promptly had diarrhea on the floor.  And of course he was on a week of medicine that again depended on him eating so that meant a week of turkey and rice.  I love the damn dog but he really chaps me sometimes!!!  Glad he is ok though.

Sorry for the pause...

Ok I know you have read this before but I PROMISE I will be back with pictures and updates.  I have a ton that I want to do starting with Otis and his health hiccup (he is fine I promise). We have been busy with birthday parties and Christmas programs and the flu, yes the stomach flu, whipping through the house.  Thanks for your patience:)

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree How Lovely are Your (Fake) Branches

For the 4th year in a row, we went Christmas tree hunting.  It has been nice and warm here for Spokane, so it was quite enjoyable.  Instead of the forest, we went to the jungle...

 

 

It is amazing you can find the perfect tree in that jungle, but we knew it was there...somewhere.





I had the location all cleaned and ready to go!

And after some recycling, we located it!

Then it was time to put it up and decorate it!

And it didn't disappoint!

Last but not least, the mantle...and that pesky Elf on the Shelf.

I still need to get Peter his own letter or picture.  For now tape:)