Jack

A few months ago, our dog, Reggie died. We had Reggie for about 7 years. He was a really great dog and we all miss him so much. We got him at a shelter. Reggie had a very happy life but unfortunately he had some health problems. He got constant ear infections, had thyroid problems, and had developed cancer. He died at night while everyone was asleep. Rest in peace, Reggie. You will never be forgotten.

Breanna had been begging us for a dog. She really wanted a new dog. I was not ready for a new dog. Reggie was one of the first pets I ever had. I wasn't ready to replace him just yet. But about a month of research later, a new dog was on mind. Our Grandma is a dog lover. She has had poodles ever since my mom can remember. She got her latest poodle, Trouble, from a breeder. With a some quick phone calls, she had a dog for us. Jack was the runt of the litter. He is a teacup poodle and weighs 3 pounds. That is quite a difference from out 65 pound beagle/springer spainel mix! But at the beginning of December, Jack was brought to our house and he is here to stay. It's amazing how fast he was drawn to Breanna. He follow her everywhere, if Brady tries to hit her, Jack barks. He's very protective of Breanna. Jack and Breanna are definently buddies.

Oh Christmas Tree...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....everyone is putting up their lights, Christmas music is playing, and every store has up their Christmas decorations. So we decided to join in and get our tree a while ago. But I've been really busy with everything so you'll be able to see finally! Even though our cat decided it was a good idea to climb it, everything turned out ok.
We go to this really nice tree farm where they have free cookies and hot cocoa, and they take you out on a hay ride, and you get to see reindeer. But sadly, the reindeer have died since we were there last year :(.
It took us a while to pick out our tree because the ceilings in our house are about 9 ft high! So we can't pick out a little skimpy tree. We need a tall tree. We finally decided on a tree after about an hour! It's a little short, but it will do. I was just happy to get out of there.
After tree finding, we ate a nice supper at Hoss's. YUM!

Seventeen.17.

Yes, I know what everyone is thinking...another birthday letter? But whoever for? Well, it's true all my siblings have already celebrated their birthdays, but this blog is called FRIENDS.Family.Everything. But the person I'm writing the letter to today, is more than a friend. She's like my sister. In fact, I tell people she's my sister if they ask:) Well....here goes!
Dearest Mary Kate,
Well, by request, here is your birthday letter! I love you sooooo much! I can't believe you're already 17! Where does the time go? It seems like just yesterday, you were 12 and I was 8 and you were babysitting us for the first time and Brady cried the WHOLE time and Breanna kept saying that a squirrel peed on her head:). You're an amazing dancer. I know people probably tell you that all the time, but it's really true. You're one of the best dancers I've ever seen.
You're so crazy! I love it! You always think of the most random things and you always put a smile on my face. I love it when you ride the bus; making up songs and making videos about all the things you can do in a bathtub(:.
I hope you teach showstoppers this year again. I'm not sure if I'll do it without you.
You're my role model. I've always wanted to be just like you. You're so great at everything, and so crazy, and absolutely gorgeous! I love you so much big sister<3 and I'm going to cry when you go to college. You better come visit me or write me letters everyday; yes, snail mail.
You can't forget all the advice you give me. Yes everyone, she tells me so many helpful tips that I have a list on my iPod. It's actually a very amusing list. Some of my favorites are, "use big words, it gives the illusion of intelligence", "you can't just walk into strange barns", and "don't wipe ear wax on other people."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Love,
Your Baby Sister:)

Pumpkin Carving

It's that time of year. The night are chilly, the leaves are falling, and everyone has cute little pumpkins sitting outside their houses. Well, we didn't...until last weekend. Dad, Breanna, Brady, and Ashley ventured out to a pumpkin farm and picked out pumpkins (My mom and I were shopping). Then the next night, we carved our pumpkins. I didn't get all the pumpkins...but take a look.

Last Splash

It's the last splash of summer. School starts tommorrow. So yesterday, we had our last hoorah before school. Labor Day was today, so yesterday we had a picnic. It was nice to get to see the whole family on my Mom's side. Usually my mom's brother and his family are unable to come to our party's and picnics because of their busy schedules. But they were finally able to come!
We got in the pool for the last time of Summer 2011. The pool will close after Labor Day. It was very chilly at first, but was nice after you got used to it.
We had some fresh corn on the cob, chicken legs/wings, and fresh fruit. Mmmm....I love that kind of eating!
It did start raining near the end, but we got most of our fun out by then. All in all, we had a great day.

There was a very competitive game of keep away. Girls against boys of course. But I got out halfway through because it got a little too competitive.

 There were smiles...

 ...And kisses...

...And perfect cathches.

 ...And smiling cousins...

 ...And girls eating pickels...(Doesn't it look like she's smiling?)

 ...And friendly throws...

...And then, we got mad. So I got out. But everything turned out ok. Everyone came out alive!

Happy Labor Day.(:

To Make You Smile(:

I just thought that I would post a few interesting things that happened this week. No pictures, just my fabulous writing for my 3-4 readers.
Breanna and Ashley had a Dr. appt. We finally arived, (late of course) and exited the truck. (Our van has been in the garage for almost 2 weeks now due to hail damage, we've had to borrow our grandfather's truck). As we're getting out, we here a "BEEP!" I turn around, and see that mom has beeped the horn while getting out of the truck! Way to make an entrance, Mother.
The next interesting thing, takes it's place at home. I was looking for Brady. When I finally find him, he tells me, "Lauren, just call me Justin." I was confused so I asked why he wanted me to call him that and he said, "Because I just really like that name." Oh Brady, I love you <3
I hope I made you smile!

New York Here We Come!

So if you were wondering where I had been for the last week, I was in.....*drumroll*.....NEW YORK!  I know what you're thinking, "New York City?" Psshh...are you kidding?! Like my family woud survive a week in the city. I don't think so. We just barely survived a week in the Adirondack Mountains! Well, not exactly my family, but we'll get to that later. But we had a great time with our Grandparents on both sides and my great Aunt and Uncle that we only get to see once a year!
It takes a really long time to get there. REALLY.LONG.TIME!! But we survived!!
Our week consisted of......

WATER PARK FUN!!

So Pappy Joe hasn't been to a waterpark in a long time. That was very obvious. He was having problems getting into rafts, and out of rafts. He got stuck in a raft and......FLIPPED A RAFT! Congrats Pappy....haha.

FAMILY BONDING!

MINI GOLF!

Dad was the winner, Pappy Joe won second place, and Brady won third!

AND ANIMALS!

We saw these really cute fawns(: We also went to a petting zoo(:

Hope you enjoyed our trip to New York!

Note: Ok, you caught me. Some of these pics are from last year. BUSTED!

Best of Summer: Amusement Parks!

Yesterday we went to Del Grosso's Amusement Park. Even though it takes us a while to get there, it was worth it because we had a great time! If your ever looking for a nice, inexpensive, family amusement park, Del Grosso's is definenty the best choice! On Labor Day, they're having a special where tickets are only $3.99 a person! Del Grosso's is especially great for younger kids because its not as crowded like Hershey Park and they have a special part of the park just for the little ones! It's a really great place!
Okay, enough advertising, let's get on to the trip!

 We had lots of fun at the water park...felt good!

 Brady especially loved the water! He didn't want to get out....

...but when he did, he was tired and just chilled on the chair.

Mom and Dad drove Go Karts! So I took a few pictures(: Dad actually wiped out and got really behind which was hilarious :)

We also got on th dry rides, but were having so much fun, that we forgot to take pictures! Brady actually got to get on a lot of the "big rides" because he is finally 42''. Brady really loved the Pharoh's Furry, which is that big boat that rocks really high (if you know what I'm talking about?) We all had a really great time, hopefully we'll see you on Labor Day!

Father's Day Fun

Today we went to Grandmother and Pappy's house for a Father's Day picnic. I'm going to tell our story in pictures.

 We decided to get on the slip and slide. I was a weenie and wouldn't get in because it was too cold. Blake wanted to go with Ashley. His face cracks me up.

 Next was Brady....

 He decided to get his hair wet, and take a head-first dive into the water. BBRRR!

 Breanna, being Breanna. Posing for the picture.

 Fun!

 After turning off the slip and slide, Blake just wanted to play in the water. This is what we get when we say, "Blake say cheese!" (:

 Blake likes to splash in the water(:

 And dump the water....

 again...

 and again!

 Next was 4-wheeler rides! I had the chance of driving one.....I realize that it's hard to turn and to not run into objects(:

 While we were having fun, Miss Ava was napping and woke up looking like a bed-head:)

 We had lots of fun throwing Ava in the air!

Hope everyone had a Happy Father's Day! I know we did!