birthday and blues

No, I am not blue about my birthday - though I do actually feel older this year. I wasn't thrilled about turning 25 last year because I have some strange dislike of odd numbers. But...26. I mean, up until 25 you're in your "young" 20's and then 25 is officially mid-20's. So does that make 26 "old" 20's!? Anyway..

I had a wonderful birthday. We shopped, had dinner at a Tapas restaurant (not topless mom. haha) and then I got to open presents!

Me and my wonderful hubby before dinner

and got THESE from Patrick! He is a wonderful gift giver...

I mean, who doesn't love David Yurman?!!!

AND he did it all by himself

It's Courtney's last night here and we spent it at the Blue's game. It was my first hockey game here in St Louis. We were a little late getting there and happened to see a fight break out on TV before we left. They scored 3 goals before we got there and one after we left. Somehow we missed all of the important stuff but still had a great time!

Elle got some cuddling in with Auntie before she goes back to Birmingham

...and watched some TV. Seriously. This dog loves TV...

Then realized she was caught when the flash went off on my camera

Well, the snow is melting...and getting nasty and slushy, but it sure is nice to hear that it will be in the 40's tomorrow!!!! I am busting out my shorts and t shirts!!

sledding

Today we visited Art Hill for some sledding! It was Court and Elle's first time. We actually stayed quite warm with all of our layers on. Here are some pictures from the fun...

This one is actually from the end of our sledding. Elle had gone down the hill at least 3 times at this point. Pat and I were going to sled one more time and she jumped on. Everytime someone went down without her she would whine at the top of the hill.

First trip down the hill!

Patrick and Elle are ready to go....and then...

they bust it

{by the way, the people Pat is talking to at the bottom of the hill asked if Elle was a service dog because she did so good and was all calm...HAHAHAHAHAAA}

...and then they ran alllll the way back up the hill.

This was the best picture of the day!! {taken by court}

I tried sledding with Elle. I was nervous her little legs where gonna get caught under the sled, but she curled right up in my lap!

Poor Courtney had Elle waiting at the top on our last trip, and she decided to take off running down towards us. Court got pulled down the hill - and it really is a looong way back up!

We met this Newfoundland who was pulling around this girl - he was so big and fluffy!

Mophie Elf

Christmas may be over, but Santa still has his elves out watching you!!

{thanks Broderick's - Sophie LOVED her outfit!!}

pink coat

Had to do a little scraping this morning.

Then Elle and I went to the dog park. She really does love the snow. She acts a fool when she is out in it. The dog park snow hadn't been touch prior to our visit..when we left, the fluffy snow was destroyed. She sniffed out a ball and then used her feet and nose to tunnel it all over the park. It was very entertaining for her and for me too! I decided it was time to leave when I looked at her poor little feet that had snow impacted between all of her toes. On our quick walk back to the car {yes. we drove. it was too cold to walk and then stand while she played} she started lifting up one of her back legs, then just plopped down in the snow, all curled up. I felt so bad for her. Soooooo...I carried her. Which wasn't for very long because she's kinda a big girl. She got her feet soaked in a warm bath to melt it all, now she's back to her crazy self again!

ninja sophie

Noodles

First of all...it is real cold here. Just thought you should know...

Second, I have a prize for you in this post.

So my friend Stephanie came over today so we could make her Grandma's noodles!!! How fun is that? It was a bit labor intensive but I am sure well worth it in the end. My noodles are still drying on the counter right now, but here's Steph with the {almost} finished product!

Now

for

the

surprise....

You get 2 guesses as to what this is...

Another hint...

IT'S A SOPHIE MOPHIE!!

Look at my first born!! Isn't she just precious?

Now, you may think this is cruel of me. If you happen to know Miss Mophie you would understand it much much better. See, she is a bit of a spit fire. Spit - meaning she'll hiss and fuss at you; fire - for the pain you feel when her claws rip open your skin. As a matter of fact, her old vet in Birmingham said when she was shaved she has '666' tattooed on the back of her neck. Therefore my long haired daughter cannot be brushed to control the matting of her silky beautiful hair. Today she went to the...'salon'...and has a new do. Now it's no Mophiehawk - but she is wearing a very expensive pair of grey Uggs again. And the tail....honestly, I have no words. I guess it was just a special surprise from the groomer? Not real sure...

BUT - really, I think she feels so much better without all of that hair matted against her skin, pulling and pinching. She is sitting in my lap just purring away right this minute {which hasn't happened in quite some time}. Some of you may say it's because she's a bit chilly. I, on the other hand, will choose to think otherwise.

2010

Happy New Year!

Don't be fooled by the look on her face, she loves to dress up and for me to hold her....

We spent New Year's Eve with some of the other Ped's Cardiology Fellows and brought our Wii with us (thanks Mom and Dad B!!). Everyone LOVED it. This is Seth and Leigh canoeing. Hilarious to watch.

Don't you want these guys taking care of your super sick child? Good to know they can let loose to Eye of the Tiger...

I am sure this will be a wonderful year!