A Few Outtakes from the Dogs' Photoshoot

JR helped me photograph Vali & Ryder so we could make some prints for Patrick's office.  

He was a big helper with the dog treats! Here are a few outtakes ;)

New Furball in the Garcia Yard

So I realized our newest pet had not been formally introduced here on the blog...
Meet "Cheer" our new kitten!

I almost made the title of this post "I hate cats." Haha! I am horribly allergic (really, everyone but Vera is allergic) and, to be honest, cats kinda freak me out. But when we moved into our new house, Patrick and JR convinced me that an outdoor cat would be great for catching mice :) I told them if I didn't have to do a thing with her then I would consider it, but it had to be a kitten or else I would never like it. (that sounds so mean!) Of course they found a 14 week old kitten and the kids fell in love... so I was peer pressured and we are now cat owners.  JR and Vera came up with the name "Cheer" together and I have no idea how they decided on that name.

We have a potting shed off of our detached garage and that is where she stays.  She puts up with Vera trying to carry her awkwardly everywhere and is super cute playing with Vali.  I like her because she keeps her distance, she is outdoors so no sneezing & no litter box, and Patrick and the kids really do love her :)

Pretty sure I thought we would have chickens before a kitten! 
Cheer, welcome to the Garcia Farm. Don't be offended that I can't hold you. I think you're cute & I'm thankful for the entertainment you provide JR and Vera ;)

Vali- proud sister

The other night I was testing the light in our backyard for a photoshoot and had the sweetest little models :)  I love how Vali poses like a proud big sister.  I don't give her much attention (except maybe when she is in the way or stinky!!) but she is never jealous, just a chill observer of our chaos.  Thankfully the kids and Patrick spoil her & love on her plenty!

and maybe the spilled food and extra snacks helps too ;)

Vali returns to the Lake

 Our sweet Vali sure has enjoyed being back at the lake!

It had been almost 5 years, but I think she remembered it :)

 I have so many lake memories with just me, Patrick and two goldens...

can't believe we are bringing 3 kiddos to the lake with us now!

 

 Blog post introducing puppy Vali from 2009 {here} 

(We took Vali straight to the lake after we picked her up from a breeder in Kentucky.

She was swimming with all of our friends before she turned 6 weeks old!)

Lake post from 2010 {here}

My favorite photo of me & Vali:

End of Summer

 

Valiosa

(Love this sweet picture of Vali- who turned 5 the week Vera was born.)

New Backyard & Garden

One of the top items on our list when house hunting was a nice backyard.  We enjoyed the backyard with our first home, but it was pretty small and we couldn't improve it much unless we wanted to dig up and re-sod the entire backyard.  There were some random fossils (glass pieces, bones, locks, plastic toys... haha) and little grass which made it dangerous for JR and not a fun yard for the dogs.
Some older posts {here} and {here}
Patrick sure loved his firepit and I loved my little garden and we made good use of our backyard... so we knew that if we had more space and grass it would be perfect for our family and friend nights outside.  When we were house hunting in Indiana, it was a cold and rainy winter day.  We really could not tell the beauty of the yard until after we purchased and moved in, but I could tell that the size was great and the garden beds were perfect!

More info on the move and house selling/buying later, but when we pulled up to the house a few weeks ago, spring had arrived!  The tulips were blooming, the grass was green and the weeds had taken over the garden bed.  The inside of the house and all the boxes were overwhelming so we worked more outside.  JR and the dogs were in HEAVEN!  We pulled tons of weeds and did some garden planning...

 (The swingset came with the house!  John Ryman sure loves the "SWWIIIDE"!)
Here is the large garden bed... Patrick took out all the weeds and then tilled the area to get it ready for me!

 Well, we will see how it grows!  I truly have no idea what I'm doing, but it's fun to learn.
(Tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, squash, zucchini and lots of herbs)

(I planted some of the herbs by the red chairs above in the perennial bed.  More plants are springing up by the tulips!  I'm interested to see what the previous homeowners had growing.)

Maybe I'll get one or two veggies and a few strawberries :) 

Easter 2013

Did you know that the Easter Bunny sometimes comes early to a preacher's home? Well, we just didn't want to wake up as early as daddy Sunday morning & I knew JR would want some of his goodies for the park after church on Easter.  So... the Easter bunny stopped by Saturday night after a special Easter meal with dear friends :)

He found the package of lizards first and didn't really notice anything else haha!  John Ryman loves to play outside, so he got some spoons and containers for dirt & pebbles, lizards & bubbles!  He also got a "woof woof" book and some peeps (to share with mommy!). 

We had a wonderful Easter Sunday celebrating the Resurrection & the hope we have in Christ!  Patrick preached at our Roanoke campus and it is always so powerful to worship and be reminded of how our lives are forever changed because He is ALIVE! 

After church we had a delicious brunch {FnG Eats} on their patio in Keller.  And of course we had to take advantage of the gorgeous 80 degree weather with a trip to the Keller park!  The furs were extra happy to tag along!

 And this little man sure loves anywhere he can run FREE!

 (Thanks to Mimi for his cute Easter outfit... and his little Robeez were a consignment find on Saturday- perfect!)

 Too bad we didn't get a family pic!  Patrick was eager to change out of his suit and get ready for the CARDS!

 Sweet boy with his first skinned knee... many more to come!  It didn't stop him, just hopped back up and kept running... and he is a FAST runner!

Happy Easter!