Thursday, July 29, 2010

I guess while I'm going on and on about how much my parents rock, I also need to mention how much Brian's parents rock.

We got this card from them in the mail today along with a gift card to Petco.

It's totally possible that we have the best and most understanding families ever.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

A surprise showed up in the mail today.  Since there was no note saying who it was from, I can only assumed from the return address that this came from my parents, and more specifically, probably from my dad.  It was a little box addressed to Venn and Daijo (c/o Heather).

How thankful am I for my parents that don't harass me about the fact that I don't have kids, but understand how much we love these pups and treat them like grandpuppies?  My parents rock.

And by the way, the boys loved their goodies :)

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

I just realized that I didn't post pictures of the boys size comparisons on Sunday.  Whoops.

I'm just going to puppy-out on today's post.  The boys are behemoths.  I can't believe how big they are getting.

On Sunday, here were their stats:
Venn, 13 weeks, 20.4 lbs
Daijo, 10.5 weeks, 13.5 lbs

Here are a couple of "size perspective" shots...

And a glowing shot of Venn, just cause...

I finally got some decent pictures of Daijo now that he's big enough to actually show definition...

Monday, July 26, 2010

So, today I drove to Ellensburg with 2 of my bosses.  We found out on Friday that one of the employees there won a pretty significant prize package (VIP tickets to the Crowne Plaza Invitational, airfare and accommodations for 2, etc) due to a story that was submitted about his exemplary guest service.  It was fun to be a part of the announcement and celebration.

This is what it got me thinking, though.  There is a reason that I fell in love with this industry a long time ago. I don't get to do it as much now in my current position, but for a few of us out there, hospitality is just a way of life. Making some complete stranger's day with a few kind words or by doing something just a little bit unexpected for them is an amazing feeling.  

Sometimes it's easy to forget that under all the number-crunching and acronyms, this business really is all about making guests happy.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

We were lucky enough to go back out to Barb's today for another pay date with the boys, which means I got to indulge in some pretty Hattie pictures...

The boys ran around like crazy fools until they collapsed into pictures of almost perfect innocence.

Saturday July 24, 2010

It's been really hot in the apartment recently.  Venn has discovered the wonder and beauty of fans and i love him for it.  It is sooooo funny to watch.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Peanut butter-stuffed puppy kongs are a gift from god.

The end.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Check this out...

It's my new Kelly Moore Bag.  It looks like a sassy purse, right?  That's because it is.  It's also a camera bag.  


I have arrived.

I took it on a test drive to a quick trip to Salt Lake yesterday and today, and it rocked.  In big ways.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Today, Trent and I celebrated our first Senior beers together in Salt Lake City. 


Trent is one of the dearest friends I have.  He has this crazy way of always knowing the exact right time to call, and the exact right thing to say.
Without his advice, I wouldn't have the job I have now, I wouldn't have the boyfriend I have now, and I wouldn't have half the good memories and smiles I have now.


Felt good to share this one with him. 

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Meet Addison...

She is a beautiful golden retriever that belongs to our friends Chris and Ian.  This dog has more energy than any one dog should ever have and it comes paired with the sweetest disposition that you've ever seen in a pup.  We went over to Ian's place tonight for a barbeque and high hopes of their 9 month old bundle of golden retriever sunshine completely wearing down our boys.  Yeah...not so much.  Apparently in the face of two tiny puppies, Addison reverts to some inert matronly motherly instinct.  All she did was follow them around the yard and make sure they stayed out of trouble.

Of course, it could also be that she tried desperately to play with our two minions, but they haven't exactly mastered that whole "interacting with other dogs" thing quite yet.  Either way, at least the boys ran themselves ragged around their yard and Chris and Ian got to experience what Addie could be like when she is 100% mellow.  I'm pretty thankful for friends with fenced in yards :)

Details, details...we really did try to get the boys' pictures and stats tonight. I even gave them baths early in the afternoon in hopes of shooting them in nice light.  But then, the day happened, and by the time we got home from the barbeque, it looked like Venn and Daijo both had spent the day rolling in nastiness.  I'm compulsive.  They got another bath before bed.  And they were way too tired to pose, so this is as close as it gets for this Sunday's pictures.

Is it just me, or does Daijo look like a muppet?

Venn was less than pleased that I was keeping him out of his kennel and awake for this.

And here are some perspective shots :)

As of today, Daijo weighed in at 10.7 lbs (9.5 weeks), and Venn weighed in at 18.6 lbs (12 weeks).

Saturday, July 17, 2010

We had a very full day today - Puppy Class in Woodenville in the morning, puppy play dates back in Woodenville in the afternoon and then up to Burlington in the evening for a good old fashioned summer barbeque.  We learned a lot of great things today that we'll be working on with the boys in the coming week, but all puppiness aside, you know what I'm thankful for today?
Friends.
Friends who understand that if Brian and I are coming to a barbeque at this point in our lives, we're bringing our two boys along.  Friends who are beautifully pregnant and make me excited just to think about their future and what amazing parents they will be.  Friends who (in the midst of being pregnant and thinking about the new life they are bringing into the world) somehow find the time to get us new puppy gifts.  And...these same friends also happen to understand my complete obsession with my camera and indulge me in posing for picture after picture.

Hope I don't ruin all that by posting some of those pics on my blog :)  Melisa - here are some of my favorites...

Thursday, July 15, 2010

No Seattle Vacation would be complete without a trip to the Troll.  So, we got that taken care of today.

The Troll just also so happens to be within walking distance of our favorite dog-friendly establishment - Norms.  We decided that early afternoon could be a great opportunity to introduce our pups to their new favorite place.  Completely surrounded by other dogs and the smells of burgers and beers, they responded to the overwhelming coolness of the place by promptly falling asleep.

And that makes them the best dogs ever.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

"Your puppies are the cutest ever.  You win."

That's what a random stranger said to us as we walked through city center today.
We smiled.

Daijo can barely get his head into the water bowl :)

We also have entered an elite group of Seattle Yippies that sit out front of Starbucks with their dogs.  I feel like I've arrived.

Why do vacations have to end?

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Presenting the Dazzling Daijo and the Veritable Venn!

So, Brian and I are both on vacation this week (thank God) and enjoying every minute of it.  We had originally planned a 10 day backpacking trip, but then puppies happened.  So, in the interest of not permanently damaging our dogs by removing any sense of routine, we're "doing Seattle" this week.  We're taking the dogs on a crash-course of socialization through our beautiful city (after their morning naps, of course).

What we learned today at Pike Place:
1. Daijo is fearless.
2. Venn rocks in crowds.
3. Plan on lots of additional time when going anywhere - our dogs are show stoppers.  Brian joked that we could have just stood on one corner with a tip jar, beacuse so many people kept stopping us to check out the pups and find out more about them.

After Pike Place, we went for a little jaunt with the boys.  It's so funny to watch Daijo work his tail off trying to keep up with Venn. "Anything you can do, I can do better..."

A couple of other things that happened today...Although Venn is dang cute, he has discovered his legs and jumping ability.

We're screwed.

It wouldn't be a "vacation" in Seattle without a sunset at Golden Gardens. Do I need to mention again how thankful I am that I live so close to places this beautiful?

It was pretty funny watching our dogs experience the beach for the first time...

And apparently, experiencing Seattle makes you just a wee bit tired...