2008...Looking Back

David and I have had a very blessed and wonderful 2008. Here are a few of the highlights:

-Spending our birthday weekend in Washington, D.C.

Stephen Colbert hanging in the Smithsonian Portrait Gallery

...between the bathrooms.

-February trip to Grove Park Inn in Asheville

- A few trips to the beach

-4th of July Kirkwood Parade and Party

-Tubing down the Dan River with Wilson and Sydney (quite an experience I might add...)

-Several Panthers games

-The nuptials of Susan and Andrew Matthews in Asheville

-San Diego, CA

Wild Animal Park & San Diego Zoo

Mama and Baby Rhino

Mama Rhino

Baby Rhino

(although the "baby" weighed over 400 lbs)

Sea World

(I know, we are 8 years old)

The Budweiser Donkey

One word: Adorable.

Panthers vs. Chargers game

We've both had great professional years as well. As you know, David is now at Crown Honda (and thoroughly enjoying himself though he is proving us all wrong by showing us that it is physically possible for him to work harder and more hours). I have had a wonderful year with Allen Tate and I really love my job. In addition, we started our own property management company and are currently working on a new adventure for 2009. All in all, we have had a very busy year and are looking forward to what fun and excitement comes our way in 2009!

Happy Holidays!

David and I hope that all had a wonderful holiday season! We were quite busy but thoroughly enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

The holiday season rush took full effect with a neighborhood Christmas Party, Hanukkah celebration at David's father's house, and a mini holiday party we had at our house. It was so nice to catch up with old friends. So wonderful, in fact, that we forgot to take pictures! We spend Christmas Eve with David's family and grandparents which is always a nice time. Christmas day is spent with my family and then traveling to see my grandmother and extended family and then back to Greensboro for Christmas dinner. Then, it was Boxing Day with the Zimmerman's!

We had a great holiday and wish we could see everyone more often!

(from Left to Right... Baxter, Brittain, Franklin, Oliver, Winnie, Annabelle, David, Kohana, & Rocky)

Best. Life. Ever.

So, I was going through some old pictures of the dogs... the original Three Musketeers (Baxter, Kohana, and Franklin) (I will save you the disappointment-and myself the embarrassment- of saying something like the original Three Muttsketeers) and I realized that in almost every group of pictures I saw a similar photo. See if you can spot the trend...

Again... Best. Life. Ever.

Productive Weekend

So, I have to say that I am pretty proud of myself for having an extremely productive weekend. Saturday alone I did some work outside, put up a few (the only) Christmas lights, went to work, bathed all 7 dogs (and brushed their teeth), decorated the tree and the house for the holidays and even found time to go shopping for gifts with my Mom. What I did NOT manage to find time for… cleaning up. Not only that, but I didn’t have time to address the mess on Sunday or Monday so… awesome. This is only the beginning….

I am currently accepting applications for free housekeepers.

Carolina Panthers vs. Denver Broncos

David and I braved the cold today to go watch the Panthers take on the Denver Broncos. I have to admit… it was pretty cold. I wore a long-sleeved shirt, wool sweater, fleece jacket, jeans, Uggs, and, (since I will still be cold with Uggs) a pair of wool socks that were probably intended to be worn while hiking Mt. Everest. That being said, I still found it necessary to double up a fleece blanket and completely wrap myself from head-to-toe. Fortunately David does not embarrass easily (or obviously he would not have married me) which means he was able to tolerate my awesomeness again today.

"Why is she dressed like we are in the North Pole?"

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After the game we were (finally) able to go see Susan and Andrew at their “new” house (I’d like to give a shout out to all those third graders… umm, I mean Susan and Andrew for being so hospitable tonight!) Thanks also to the Panthers for winning this evening. I know it was for us and your loyalty is not unappreciated!


P.S. If I am rambling and/or not making sense it is because it is 100 hours past my bedtime.

f r a n k l i n

What can I say about Franklin? He is spunky and energetic, fun and playful, loving and affectionate, adoring and devoted, intelligent and curious, courageous and protective, and maybe a wee-bit bossy. :)

While living in Raleigh (for only a few months) David and I decided we should get another dog. Well, not exactly... We went to the shelter and played with several precious pups. But, "Buster" (later re-named Franklin) won me over. David, however, needed more convincing. First of all, we did not need another dog. Secondly, "Buster" was a small, funny looking Dachshund mix (and David didn't like small dogs). Eventually David relented and Buster came home with us. The night was spent brainstorming for new names and Franklin officially became part of the "family."

Originally, Franklin adored David and paid me no attention whatsoever. One fateful day I was home sick and Franklin's affections turned towards me and he has never looked back. He follows me everywhere I go. Actually, he likes to be in front of me while I walk but constantly stops and turns his head to make sure I am going the same way. I prefer that method, however, since when he does follow me he stays so close I have to change the way I walk to prevent myself from accidentally kicking him with each step I take. He is my sidekick. Always at my side (currently curled up against me snoozing and snoring) and always around to lift our spirits and make us laugh. He has personality in spades. He is always the favorite of friends and family who visit. He is smart as a whip and has amazing intuition concerning human emotion. Also, David is convinced he can see through walls. ;)

Franklin is the fearless and courageous leader of our pack. The alpha dog. He views his role is to keep all of the other dogs in line. Oh, and to steal their toys. He is a big fan of that. David and I laugh a lot at the big dogs that let him boss them around and literally let him take the toys right out of their mouths.

Franklin is a fantastic dog. He truly is the most devoted dog I have ever seen. I am so glad we were able to bring him home and give him a better life. I can only hope we have improved his life half as much as he has improved ours.

Oh, and by the way, David likes small dogs now. :)

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Crown Honda of Greensboro

Last week David was given a promotion and moved across the street to Crown Honda as their Financial Services Manager! He is very much enjoying his new job, new surroundings, and new coworkers. We are, of course, still big supporters of Volvo and he will definitely miss everyone there but they are just a short jog (read: life-threatening game of Frogger) across Wendover. He would be mad at me if I didn't mention that he can now help you with new Hondas as well as any used car. :) I am VERY proud of David and all he has accomplished. This will be a fun new adventure for him!