3rd year anniversary pics

for our 3rd anniversary we enjoyed a scrumptious dinner, decadent dessert and after dinner martinis at Daniel Arthurs-our 3rd year in a row celebrating there- looks to be the start of a delicious tradition!

3 years and counting....

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY HUBBY!

3 years ago started out as a rainy day much like today. I remember the excitement and nervousness I felt. I didn't sleep a wink the night before. The silent moment after Canon in D contrasted by the booming start of the Trumpet Voluntary. The day flew by. Three years have flew by. Happiness must make the time fly.

A year in the life of Xena

Xena was welcomed into our home one year ago last weekend which of course calls for a tribute blog post if you ask me. She has brought so much joy to our life and I am so thankful to have her to come home to everyday. I now know the truth behind the unconditional love a dog can bring into your life and I wouldn't have it any other way.

our first time meeting little Xena

bringing Xena home when she was 7 weeks old

Xena wiped out after her welcome home puppy party

Xena meets Uncle Angus (Mike's parents dog) for the first time- she thinks they are best friends...he isn't so sure about that

Xena grew up fast!

naughty girl got caught digging in the mud!

first time playing in the water at the Coralville Res

one of many destroyed toys...stuffed toys last about an hour max

Angus, Xena & Echo have a play date

Xena discovers snow for the first time and loves to play and stick her face in it

her first Christmas

Our little pup has come a long way in the last year and we capped it off with a Memorial Day camping trip with her. She got the chance to play more in the water and quickly became quite the swimmer- jumping off the rocks into the Res and fetching sticks- check out the video below.

Surprise Picnic

Last week Mike surprised me with a picnic- all packed and ready to go by the time I got home from work. Seriously, he did! I couldn't believe it either.

Who doesn't love a picnic? Well, does the fact that I have 3 picnic baskets tell you anything about me?

We took off for Palisades-Kepler State Park with our picnic backpack and Xena. We found a wonderful spot by the river and to my even greater surprise Mike had packed sushi for our dinner (this man does not eat seafood so it was spicy tuna for me and veggie for him) cheese & crackers, a decadent piece of cake to share and a bottle of wine. We explored and hiked a few trails, too. It was in a word, ideal. Thanks hubs- what wonderful surprise!

Julia Night

Last Thursday I invited Mom & Emily over for a fun night in celebration of Julia Child. We had all read and loved the book Julie & Julia and as you can all tell I'm obsessed with cooking and planning things to look forward to (like fun impromptu parties). Also, we all had yet to watch the movie Julie & Julia so I thought we'd make a whole night out of it together- just for fun!

Julie's recipe we made together was Crepes Roulées a la Florentine (savory stuffed crepes with a spinach, mushroom & cheese sauce) accompanied by warm french bread. It turned out delicious! For dessert I had previously prepared us another of Julia's recipes: Petites Pots de Creme au Chocolat, which we enjoyed with homemade whipped cream. Yum!

Emily was a pro and turned out crepe after crepe

The table turned out quite cute if I do say so myself!

Dear Earth,

Happy you day! I'm sorry I haven't done all that is possible to make you better & last longer. I want you to know I am quite grateful for what you do for me every day- sustaining my and everyone else's life and all. This year I have been working on my compost pile & garden so that I am able to reuse some of your resources for wonderful things this summer. Keep up the good work and I promise to try a little harder every year!

Love, Laura

Xena's 1st Bday

Xena's 1st birthday was last Saturday and of course we celebrated...who wouldn't?! I made her wear a bow and made cute cupcakes (which she did not get to eat) however she did get a new Frisbee to fetch. I do love occasions to celebrate so I'll probably do something for the 1 year anniversary in May of the day we brought her home :)