I am just realizing that it has been so long since I last posted that I haven't posted about Bosco yet. Most of you know our dog Bosco. We adopted him from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary almost 5 years ago. He has been the best dog anyone could ask for. Unless you are a cat person and then you really would not have been a fan. Anyway, in October of last year, he developed a tumor on one of his back legs. After a failed attempt to remove the tumor, we had to amputate the leg to keep the cancer from spreading further. We had wonderful doctors (Thanks Dr. Bagley!) who did everything possible but a month ago he developed another tumor on his remaining back leg. We took x-rays to see what was going on and the cancer was back and had spread to his lungs. I don't know how he made it as long as he did. We took him home that day and spent that last night together and then we had him put to sleep the next morning. I have had many dogs in my life but I have never had to put one down before. I was really hard. I am crying now remembering him taking his last breath in my arms. We all loved our Bosco and we miss him everyday. I know that eventually we will get another dog but for now we are taking a break. Thanks to everyone who has been supportive thru that ordeal. Emily still reads Dog Heaven almost every night and they sleep with their Bosco Webkins (complete with amputated back leg). Thanks to the Landers, Joostens and Dastrups! We love you all!

For those of you that have completely given up on me, I am sooo sorry! I have two more weeks then I am finished with this semester. I promise it will get better! The sad thing is with all the studying, I really haven't done anything interesting. I did get a new car. Well, newer. Let's face it the Trooper had seen better days. I am still getting used to our new addition, a silver Chevy Tahoe. It's bigger but it is very comfortable. My main complaint is I feel like nothing sets it apart from the other 52 silver Tahoes on our street alone. I am going to have to find a way to set myself apart. John has suggested racing stripes. Thanks honey! Any OTHER ideas? Please no stickers representing my family on the back. :-) More. later. Promise.

So I guess the studying is paying off. Last week I was invited to become a member of Phi Theta Kappa. It is the international honor society for 2 year colleges. Hopefully it will help me get into the U when the time comes. I wish I would have done this 15 or 20 years ago but I guess had some partying to get out of my system. ;-) I hope I can keep the grades up next fall when I go full time. Thanks for all my friends and family who are so supportive of my mid-life crisis!

O.K. yes, I am slowing down again on the blogging. Sorry, we really haven't done anything worth telling anyone. Now that the first couple of weeks of school are under my belt, I have a better idea of what the work load will be. So far, it seems like as long as I don't get behind it will be manageable. I had my first French test today and I think I did really well. By reading my blog, one might assume that I speak French really well. Yeah, not so much.

The girls have added dance to their repertoire. Lauren takes Ballet and Modern Dance and Emily takes Ballet and Hip-Hop. They are really enjoying. Lauren's BFF, Seattle, has taken dance there for a long time and has gotten the girls interested. I am so glad. Who couldn't use a little help on the coordination department?

Back to School

O.K. So today I checked on my friend Julianne's Blog. Julianne, If you were talking to me, sorry! This one's for you baby! I will have to admit that it is sad when your 9 year old posts more than I do. Really, she probably has more to say! Seriously, the kids started back to school today and I have one week before I go back. I am trying to catch up on the laundry and little unfinished projects around the house. Christmas was wonderful! We woke up early to open presents with Parker before he had to leave for work. We love having Parker here with us! I have started to worry that every year might be the last year that he is at home with us. We try not to cramp his style but I know that no matter what he will want to be out on his own at some point. After breakfast and presents, we spent a lazy day at home. CD, Leslie, and Keimon stopped by to do yet more presents and John's parents stopped by for dinner. John made prime rib with all the trimmings. It was amazing! He is the best cook and that is only one of the many reasons that I am so glad I married him. :-) New years was uneventful. Another lazy night and day. We never go out anymore. Too old I guess. This year everyone made it to midnight. Believe me that's a feat! Here are some pics of the fun and festivities. Well, here are some Christmas Vacation pictures.