It's been a CRAZY two weeks around here!!

I don't even know where to start!! Life has been a little crazy around here lately, so I figured that even though I have NO idea where my camera is to get you some new pics, I'd better at least get this all down.

We are very sad to say that we are now down to only 2 dogs. Biggirl died on October 22. Of course Tony was out of town, so I had to get a little help getting her loaded up in the back of the Suburban to go to the vet. She was the smallest of the 3, but 80 pounds is still a lot!! She was our adoptee from the Lufkin Humane Society (my sister adopted her 8 or 9 years ago.) We think she was 13 or 14 years old, so she lived much longer than most dogs of her breed and size. Blake and Tony burried her back behind his office, Blake picked the spot. We had considered taking her to 317 but since you don't really get to plan these things in advance, we weren't able to get her out there. Blake picked a spot "between the shady trees because she LOVED shady trees." Tony said that the first spot he picked was by a creek and it had been used as a concrete washout. So, he directed Blake to a new area and told him he could pick a spot. The ground is very sandy so Tony expected to have an easy time digging the hole (you know, since he was using the backhoe.) Tony said that about 6 inches down he hit bedrock!! The ground was so hard that it took him almost an hour to dig a hole for her...with a backhoe!! Blake was insistent on the spot and Tony said he wasn't going to argue with him. We are now really glad that we didn't take her to 317. He had a pretty tough week or so and has had a lot of questions about death and we don't want him to be constantly reminded every time we go to 317. Ethan on the other hand is very matter of fact about the who situation and tells just about everyone that he had a dog but now she is " Day-ud" He has such a Texas drawl sometimes, you can't help but laugh at him. The first few days Ethan would say, "Biggirl's at the doctor" and Blake would set him straight, "No she's not, she's dead. She is in heaven with her new body and she is so happy now."

Last week was full of preparations for our big race weekend. Tony and I are absolutely worn out. The boys absolutely love the races. Stay tuned for the NASCAR post.

Yesterday was Chase's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHASE RYAN!!! Since things have been so crazy lately, we just went to McDonalds with a cake and had some friends meet us there. It wasn't anything fancy, but he was happy with it. It was definitely the easiest "party" we have ever had for one of the kids. No clean up, no big expensive party and there wasn't any major planning involved. He got a few presents that we just brought home for him to open after nap. I guess the more birthdays we have around here, the more obvious it becomes that the kids don't care if they have a big huge expensive party or not. They have a good time no matter what or where the party is. I forgot my camera, but should be able to get a few pics from others to post later.

Also be looking for a Halloween post, most likely to be combined with the NASCAR post since we were at the track Friday night for trick-or treating.

I think this is the messiest my house has ever been. Everywhere I turn there is more mess. It is so bad I don't even know where to begin. I am drowning in laundry, season changes are such a beating. Then when you add all of the laundry that comes from a weekend in the 5th wheel (bedding, towels, etc) and maternity clothes for the cooler weather (OK, it isn't exactly cool, but hopefully it will be soon) and the extra laundry generated by a 2 year old with diarrhea (that was SO much fun at the track this weekend) I don't think it is possible to ever get caught up on luandry. I have also had several people return baby items that I had loaned out and not needed back (or so I thought.) I actually have a pretty good collection of baby items right now. Of course I don't have any idea where to put all of this stuff until we are ready to use it, but at least I have it.

Hopefully I will locate the camera and get those pics on later this week.