...as i see it

thank you maddy russell!

ella is lucky to receive hand me downs from her very cool (and stylish) friend, maddy russell.

my girl LOVES these clothes more than brand new from the store clothes.

here she is sporting her (new to her) polka dotted rain coat.

see?, there is a silver lining to the SEVEN days in a row of rain here in the burgh...

thank you!!!

xoxo

it has been a whole year...

a year ago today we ventured to the western pennsylvania animal rescue league in search of a puppy to love.

we looked in all the concrete pens.

one dog sweeter than the other - how do you choose?

we lingered by his cage...

five boy puppies all over each other.

they were big and stinky and muddy and adorable.

we told ella to choose.

she wasted no time.

"that one", she said as she touched his little black and white head.

and with those two words, we became a family of six again.

and to you mr. milo...

thank you

xoxo

pretty sure those ears were full grown from day one...

milo on his front porch. no doubt keeping a watchful eye on one of his kiddos...

AND... happy birthday to you!

another special birthday wish to you, jeannie!

come play with us soon - we miss you!

xoxoxo

a birthday list...

10 reasons we love mr. russell and wish him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY today:

1. he introduced us to the yummy world of grits, pimento cheese and sweet tea vodka. 

2. he once saved zack, who was lost @ sea in his kayak. 

3. he freely shared with me his one and only egg salad sandwich (after standing in an enormous line @ the masters)

4. ella thinks he hosts the best mexican birthday fiestas - ever.

5. when he says he will grab us ALL a ride uptown after last call - he delivers.

6. he is happy to store the remaining two amy's pizza in the trunk (for AFTER the REM concert)

7. he's a guy who likes his camera (like someone else i know)

8. he always picks the wine winners

9. his shoes are always shined - yes they are

10. we wouldn't want to go to hominy grill with anyone else!..

happy birthday les! looking forward to celebrating in person.

and,

welcome to the club...

speaking of her...

ta da! her new room is ready for its close up.

**thank you to grandma kim for the fancy new bedding.

ella loves her new digs.

a little peak @ her new big girl room:

favorite part of my new room...

this little girl playing on my floor :)

my landscapers...

there was a lot of yard work to be done.

no match for my landscapers - they are awesome.

afterwards, it was time to put their feet and up and relax.

admire their accomplishment... have a beer.

have i mentioned that i love these boys?

because i really do...

ten minutes later...

this is what milo looked like ten minutes after they left:

a playdate...

our friends, dale and iggy stopped by for a visit.

milo and iggy were fast friends.

they ran and romped and ran and chased tennis balls and ran and ran and ran.

this is what they looked like after they had played for nearly three hours:

speaking of football season...

my ben is playing football this fall.

as a mother, i am somewhat opposed the whole put on a few pads and really go at each other aspect of football.

but

i am a reasonable girl, so i am pretending to be being very supportive!

here he is in his spiffy uniform:

(he IS super cute, isn't he?)