New Year's Eve!!!!

Well of course I couldn't miss the opportunity to make my last post of the year on New Year's Eve. It is tradition in my family to have game night. That's what my plans are here as well. I even bought a new game for the occasion.

Back in Phx the city is gearing up for the Fiesta Bowl sponsored by Tostitos. Therefore it is tradition to drop a LARGE replica Tostitos chip into a bowl of Tostitos salsa at the stroke of midnight. Yes, I know it's a rather lame tradition. Lol! Nonetheless it's a tradition! In honor of my AZ roots I plan on having some Tostitos chips and some Tostitos bean dip. However, the dip will be well disguised in a 7-layer dip that I plan on making this afternoon. I am curious what the tradition is here!

Side note: I obviously grew up watching and caring very much about the Fiesta bowl and parade. It's awesome that for my first year in Texas the bowl I grew up watching is hosting TCU. I've even been to the TCU campus! Since a Texas school is in the Fiesta bowl it means Fiesta bowl shirts are on display at numerous stores. Go Horned Frogs!!!


Happy New Year's Eve! Everyone back in the Phx area, enjoy yourselves!

A White Christmas in Dallas!

I can't believe it snowed on Christmas eve than stayed around for Christmas! Amazing!! I was baking when it first began to snow. I was thinking it would be done snowing and possible gone by the time I was finished in the kitchen. Little did I realize it was going to continue for as long as it did.

It was very enjoyable to see snow and throw a few snowballs. All of my snowballs were sadly misshaped due to my hands being so cold. But oh well! It was fun to take the boys out in the snow too. For my family back in Phoenix I'm sure most that read this will chuckle to themselves as they picture the "Cody-man" in the snow. Cody isn't fond of cold weather! He actually did rather well dealing with the snow. He had a harder time yesterday with the cold rain and sleet that turned to snow.

Below are pictures of our Christmas snow!

Merry Christmas!!!

Lots has been going on. I do love this time of year but I also find it stressful. Trying to find the perfect gift for those on your list. Dealing with crowds of people. Not to mention...traffic! By the time Christmas Eve comes though I seem to relax and take in the moment!

It was gorgeous yesterday, I almost didn't need long-sleeves. It really didn't feel like Christmas time though. But never fear, today we had a major temperature drop. It's now a icy rainy cold day. Definitely feels more like Christmas! Some hot cocoa will taste great later!!!

For me and the pugs it's our first Christmas in Texas! I want to wish everyone back in Phoenix a very Merry Christmas! Know that me and the pugs are doing well and are happy here in Dallas! Much Love!!!! Below are some fun holiday photos with the boys!!!!

Despite Being Miles Away!

As I was making my previous post my cousin Glenn called me. He was ecstatic! As I picked up the phone he excitedly said, "Guess what?". I replied with the appropriate response of, "What?". Then he began to tell me that Amare Stoudemire was in the store where he works. He proceeded to explain his encounter and then hung up to go get a picture with Stoudemire. Lol!!!

I saw Kurt Warner at the same mall Glenn works at about a year ago. Believe me I was similarly excited!! That mall is a hot spot for the valley of the sun celebs!

I know this post seems more appropriate for a ventures in Phoenix blog than a ventures in big D blog. However, despite me being so far away from my fave cousins it's nice to know they think of me first to share exciting things with. Even though I'm not in Phoenix the bond that we share is still very much there!

Colder Temps!

Now being from Phoenix, I have little experience with colder temperatures. I did spend a couple of years in Seattle, which helped me get used to a colder climate. At the time I lived in Seattle I often thought if I could live there and handle the icy rainy dark days I could live anywhere.

I must admit I expected Dallas weather to be slightly more comparable to Phoenix weather. In retrospect I'm glad it's not. However, the colder weather is taking some getting used to for me. Today I was determined to take the boys for their typical long walk to the park and back. I have avoided this long walk in recent weeks partly due to the colder weather. But as I already said...I was determined today. I decided I needed to just get out and start walking with the boys hoping that I would soon get used to the icy wind that was blowing at me. The first 10 minutes I was freezing. I reminded myself a couple times to not be a wimp and that this is Dallas cold not Chicago cold or Green Bay cold. I'm happy to report all three of us made it through the walk! I doubt the boys felt a sense of accomplishment but I definitely did! Thirty degree temperatures in the middle of the day do not exist where I come from!

Story to end with...I talked to my cousin Trevor last week. When I told him it snowed the other day he was in total disbelief. For some reason the perception of Dallas is that it's warmer than it truly is. I really had no clue Dallas ever got snow until I moved here either.

Stuffed Reindeer Massacre and Peanut Butter!

Cody celebrated his 8th birthday yesterday. I hope he enjoyed the toys he received! Simon tore one toy apart just minutes after I gave them the 2 new toys that my mom had sent. It was a stuffed reindeer massacre!

I would venture to guess that one of the highlights of Cody's day would have been when I gave each dog an empty jar of peanut butter to clean out. They both love peanut butter! Cody gets bored and moves on to something else typically when his jar is completely cleaned out. Lol! Simon on the other hand continues to clean out the jar even after it is clearly all gone. It's as if he is expecting it to replenish for him.

Simon obviously doesn't much appreciate toys that he gets. But as for Cody...he has played with only the new toys he received yesterday. I have yet today to see him play with any of his old toys. His favorite seems to be a bright yellow duck that rattles and squeaks. I guess squeaking dog toys wasn't enough the manufacturers had to add a rattle noise. Lol!!!

A short story to end with. For Cody's first birthday I bought him a stuffed birthday cake that sang 'Happy Birthday'. Big mistake!!! Cody loved hearing the music and constantly squeezed the cake in the right spot for it to start singing. It wasn't that terribly annoying to me at first but after waking up many mornings to the sound of that singing cake it got old real fast! Finally, after numerous encounters with Simon the singing mechanism inside the cake broke! Thank you Simon!

Cody's Birthday!

Cody is about to celebrate his 8th birthday on Sunday. I can't believe I have had the little guy for nearly 8 years. Such a lovely and yet sometimes stubborn little boy.

I opened up my email today to discover a birthday ecard from Cody's vet in my inbox. After the card loaded it had dancing dogs that cheerfully wished Cody a happy birthday. It was very cute and hilarious!

As far as what Cody wants for his birthday...warmer weather! The poor little guy is not fond of cold weather. He has a big fur coat but still shivers when I take him outside. I doubt that birthday wish will come true for him so he will have to be happy with a rawhide and a Christmas toy for his bday gifts! We had snow the other day and more is predicted it would be quite ironic but yet irritating to Cody if it snows on his bday. Lol!!!