Flashback - Sasha's 14th birthday

My beloved dog Sasha turned 14 last April! Her life expectancy is 10-12, so we are glad to still have her around! She has fishing line instead of tendons on her back knees from two surgeries 5 years ago, and she takes pills like an old human. But every time we think it's the end she perks back up and surprises us! So for her birthday we found a recipe for a doggie birthday cake and baked it. We politely declined to taste the finished product as cottage cheese frosting doesn't hold much appeal to my palate. She wasn't too excited about the birthday candles, but once she realized she was getting some "people food" she was glad to join the party! Maybe we should open a doggie baking business on the side...

Mother's Day 2011

I wouldn't exactly call it relaxing to have my mom and her family down for Mother's Day, but it was certainly worth the cleaning effort! (Plus it was a great reason for the hubs to get out there and remove the pollen from the deck furniture.) I made an old family recipe that everyone loved (Stouffer's lasagna). The kids (including Jamie) ate on the deck. I was finally sitting down and enjoying talking with my family when suddenly screams and panic ensued from outside. (If you know my husband, you'll understand why I didn't jump up immediately.) This sweet little creature (flying squirrel?) had apparently fallen out of a nest and was being attacked by an overprotective mama woodpecker. Although my husband wanted to bottle feed and raise said squirrel, I pointed out the vast number of bushy tails already occupying our yard as well as the vast number of creatures already under my care and asked that nature be allowed to take its course. The poor baby didn't survive, and my husband buried it over the fence the next morning. Yes, I know, I'm a jerk. 

Despite the tragedy of the tree dweller, we had a great time visiting and eating. My kids tried to hide in my parent's truck bed to be smuggled to the mountains but were busted. I was so glad everyone made the trek to my house! 

To see the other Mother's Day pics click here.