HAPPY 2011!!  Hard to believe 2010 is behind us and a new year is upon us.  A fresh start, a new beginning, and new memories to have.  I always have mixed feelings as one year ends and one begins.  Sad that another year has disappeared before our eyes and happy because new things are on the horizon.  I have big expectation for 2011 and hoping new and great things will come.  I was talking to my best friend recently and we both have these dreams for the new year.  Fingers and toes crossed that they will happen.  Maybe I should wish upon a star too just to make sure??  

Sorry I’m a few days late with this post but it’s been a busy few days as we all prepared to get back into our normal routines of work and school.  I have come to the realization that vacation is a very wonderful thing.  Especially, a week and a half vacation!  New Year’s Eve we didn’t do too much but we got out our hats and noisemakers and still made a little noise in our neighborhood. 

Even our golden retriever Parker joined in for the celebrations.  However, he preferred not to wear the hat but I do think he looked the best in it.  Don’t you think?

We all had some laughs as we partied in the street.  I’m not sure who had more fun though?

Our party in the neighborhood was a short celebration, but a fun one.  I have recently come to realize when you have two busy three year old’s the attention span soon finds other things to interest them.  Like going to the park!

Hoping everyone else had a fun and safe New Year’s celebration.  Here’s wishing everyone a very Happy New Year!  Hope you all have a fabulous one!

This weekend we had a visitor….my mom!  Yea!!  I have to tell you something about my mom…..she loves Parker and Parker adores her!  As soon as she walks in the door Parker is there to greet her and won’t let her get too far without giving him 100% of her attention.  Which means in the end my mom is covered in fur and so is our floors.  My mom really has three grandchildren, the girls and Parker.  Parker is really her first grandchild and she loves him just as much.

When Mimi (that’s what the girl’s call her) is down visiting everyone in the house is spoiled.  We love it when Mimi comes and sees us!  This trip Parker got extra spoiled.  On our trip to Target this weekend she not only picked Parker up a new bed, but a new toy too.  My mom, the girls, and I all stood in the doggie aisle squeezing all the toys trying to figure out the perfect toy.  As soon as we walked in the door and unpacked everything we gave Parker his new toy and he was instantly the happiest dog in the world.  All weekend this toy wasn’t too far from his reach or site.  He even took it out for a walk. 

Thanks Mimi for making Parker one very happy dog!

This weekend we took the girls to the park and took Parker along.  As we were playing with the girls I looked over at Parker in a deep wrestling match with a coconut.  I became fascinated with his determination to chew the coconut.  I’m not sure what he was trying to do because I doubt he would like the inside of a coconut.  He was determined though…

And as time passed he got even more determined….

And finally to get him to look up from his coconut fascination I told him there was a squirrel.  He suddenly perked up a struck this pose.

Once he realized that there was no squirrel he went back to his coconut until he eventually became frustrated.  I don’t blame him.  It’s hard to break through those hard shells!

It’s amazing how entertaining it was to watch him try to tackel the coconut.  Ahhhhh….the little things in life.

Today Parker turns 5!  Happy Birthday Parker!

It has been a great 5 years since he entered our world.  He is our big polar bear who loves us unconditionally.  Of course, we love him unconditionally too.  No matter how much drool he leaves around the house, no matter the white fur balls that drift around the house (even after vacuuming), or the snoring.  We love him!  

The girls especially love Parker and he puts up with a lot.  He even puts up with them sitting on him, petting him, chasing him, and so much more.  In the end of the day he loves them just as much as they love him.

I will always think of Parker like this….a little pup!

Even though our guy is 5 today he still thinks he the little guy you see above.  He also thinks he’s still little enough to sit in my lap!

Happy Birthday Parker!!  We love you pal!

Meet Parker!  Our first child!  Parker is our English Retriever who we all love. 

I had always wanted a golden retriever growing up.  Shortly after we got married my lovely husband suprised me with Parker.  I remember that day like it was yesterday.  I was in Atlanta for my cousins wedding shower.  He picked me up from the airport with blood shot eyes and just a mess.  I didn’t ask any questions, after all maybe he just missed me.  I walked into the house and knew right then something was up.  There he was a white little fur ball with big brown eyes looking up at me.

I automatically fell in love!  How could I not!  Look at that face!  Then that night I realized why my husband looked a mess.  It only took Parker a short time to get used to his surroundings.  I like to think those first few sleepless nights was preparing us for the many months we would have when we became parents!

Parker is approaching his 5th birthday next month!  He was our first child and we were worried how he would do once the girls arrived, but he loves them and they adore him!

The funny thing is that when the girls are taking their naps or going down for the night you will find Parker like this…

Almost asleep…..

And he’s out!!

They wear him out I guess!

So this is Parker, the other member of our family!

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