Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween...

...From the Peter Pan Cast!

Oh, wait! That's my family at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party earlier this month. 

We look so incredibly like the cast that I almost didn't recognize us.

Last Friday, I hosted the Annual Halloween Musicale. Ty and I also threw a party the following night.  We aren't really party people, if you know what I mean. The last party we threw was a small gathering (mostly family) for my college graduation - in December. We really want to use our home to be hospitable, so we decided to throw a Halloween bash!

It was hosted by Wendy and...

...The Ghost Host (duh!)

He was such a sport at MNSSHP, but he said he didn't want to "wear a dress" at his own party. We recycled the hat from his John costume, and came up with this!

One of my favorite parts about Halloween is the themed food.

I had so much fun creating treats for our parties! Yes, the punch is teeming with sour gummy worms. 

But not every edible spooky has to be sweet!

Exhibit A: Bats!

Exhibit B: Spiders!

Here's some of the gang in the photo booth! Ty and I are sitting on a bale of hay. :)

(Of course we didn't think to take pictures before a handful of wonderful folks left. Rats!)

 I need to send this to Kelly; she'll get a kick out of it.

 Sone is acclimating to American culture just fine.

And for today? I'm going to work as a nerdy music teacher.

Oh, wait.

Do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti, do!

I do that every day. 

At least I'll be handing out candy on this special day!

Brooks Run Happ(il)y

Brooks is an athletic company known for running shoes and apparel. Their slogan is simple: run happy. (Really it should be happily since it's describing a verb, right language gurus?)

But for what it's worth, I believe their slogan. We have a Brook, and she truly runs happ(il)y. In fact, I can think of nothing that excites her more (except for maybe Wubba and peanut butter) than the joy of going for a walk or run.

Dog ownership has taught me a great deal thus far, and I believe there's another lesson to be learned here. I want to view every run as a most exciting event (even the speed workouts that I hate!). I want my ears to perk up and my eyes to get big when I hear mention of running. It's all about a change of attitude.

While we're en route, Brooklyn never backs down. That girl would run six-minute miles, if I could keep up - I'm sure of it! As it is, I can't do that, and it wouldn't be good for her bone and muscle development just yet either. Regardless, she has the time of her life!

Example:
Today on our run, she found a water bottle in the street. Without slowing, she grabbed the bottle and continued on proudly for the final 1/4 mile. It was all one big game to her, and she delighted in every step.

Happy to be outside after too many hours in the crate. She's smiling, no? :)

Sometimes I practice training with her while we're out and about, because the distraction levels are so much higher. It's good to exercise her intellect, too!

I need to stay focused, too! When I get to mile 20 in that marathon, it's going to be a mental fight to the finish.

Practicing wait commands

Like all good athletes, Brooklyn knows the importance of hydration. Upon entering the house, she immediately slops down a bowl of water. Actually, she slops about half of it on my kitchen floor and then waits for a refill.

Post run, waiting to go inside!

It's no secret that I love being a Weim owner. This is one more reason why! She gets me moving and keeps me active and focused. Thanks, Brooklyn! Can't wait until you're big enough to help me on my long runs. I know you'd do it happily!

Blue Skies & Family Ties

Skies so blue you can't be blue.

Or sit inside all day.

This day called for a picnic.

So we answered.

After lunch, Brooklyn went for a hunt...

...while on a four-foot lead in a suburban park. Impressive, I know.

But it's easy to look out over the water and sit in the grass and feel like you're miles from anyone else and everything else.

Just with the ones you love.

(Weim lips!)

 Ty had the great idea to a nap.

Until the gun dog came in for her kill.

(Kill = tons of kisses)

Intelligent solution.

Perfection.

Lovely simplicity. Thankful for time to sit and be with my family.