Meet Cricket

It's been almost a year since Nike died.  That means that I have been without a dog for nearly a year.  Folks, this is a big deal.  So meet Cricket.

Originally, we waited because I was going to have a baby.  We got a few foster dogs to tide us over until we felt ready for a full-time dog.  And a bunny for some fluffy companionship.  But lets be honest...although Dandelion is lovely, a bunny is just not the same.

We were planning to get a puppy.  Because PUPPIES!!!

I mean, right?  Who wouldn't love a floppy, loving, silly puppy?  We were thinking fall, but most likely springtime, to make potty-training less of an ordeal.

I thought we'd get a foster or two (or 5) until our perfect dog came along. But then, I was straight up asked by a lady in my foster group if I was willing to take a Great Dane mix (since she knew I was a fan since I volunteered for the last one). I wasn't going to do it.  Steve was only willing to consider an adult foster if she was potty trained and/or crate trained.

And, she was.  Not only that, but Cricket is great with the kids, doesn't hardly bark, and she may even be ok with Dandelion (the jury is still out on that one).  Since she was supposed to just be a foster dog, I let William pick her name. William picked Cricket because he likes bugs.

Cricket follows me around like my shadow, and wants to be everywhere I am.  It's very sweet.

And in case you were wondering about the bandage, she either sliced her foot before she came here, or the day we got her. 5 stitches.  And then she got spayed two days later.  So mostly she has been recovering since she arrived.

But I have gotten to take her running a few times. She LOVES it.  You should see her gallop across the lawn.  She's like a greyhound. We still have a ways to go with leash work, but it's coming along nicely.

We don't know much about Cricket, other than that she is a Great Dane mix from Nevada, about 3 years old.  Apparently she was living in a trailer, and doesn't like being picked on by other dogs.

Like I said, we were originally going to get a puppy, but we all got so attached that we couldn't let her go. Even Steve likes her, and he's not exactly a dog person.

We're all glad she's a part of our family.

Halloween

Life has been really busy, so I'm a little behind on posts. We've had a very sick baby, kids with colds AND stomach bugs, orchestra practice, and a new dog...so time is becoming a little more limited. But I'm going to try to keep up on the blog for our family's sale. The kids love looking through old pictures, stories, and videos. 

I was resigning myself to the fact that I wasn't going to get too many more years with family themed costumes. But then Lily saw me looking at superhero costumes with tutus and was sold. The boys were easy to convince.

We started our Halloween season with a Disney store Halloween dress rehearsal. I let the kids wear any Disney costume they wanted. Caleb was Captain America, William was a Jedi, and Lily was Anna.

Our Ward Trunk or Treat was the following week.

Wonder Woman was a popular choice. There were three at or trunk or treat.

At the twins club party, we hired a photographer for photos. It was awesome.

How cute is my super family? Super baby, especially, cannot be beat.

William loved being Flash. He was running everywhere.

I volunteered for the Hallowwen party. Kindergarteners are too cute. 

And of course, we wouldn't be complete without a "super" adoption photo featuring Cricket. It was a win with our rescue group.

And in case you were wondering, this wasn't a costume...I really am Super Mom. ;) I made that comment when I had to stop at the grocery store on the way home from a party and it got a lot of kudos.

                                                           

Halloween morning I surprised the kids with a themed breakfast. I haven't been up to doing many "extras" this year as we are still adjusting to a new baby, but this was a hit. Pumpkins, ghosts, and spider eggs.

The kids had 3 trunk or treats, went trick or treating at Foothill Village (one of their favorite traditions), and also made it up and down most of our street. They only made it a few more houses than last year, but the buckets were more than overflowing. We might have to skip out on some events next year just to avoid so many treats! But we had a great time, the kids loved it!