Fetch, Leash, and, Dog Park Oh “May!”

Last weekend, Tyson and Kelly took me to Portland like they promised.  Yeah!  Kelly really wanted to get me a lobster leash to match my lobster collar.  She’s still raving about that store Fetch and I found that I agreed.  They have so many natural products and higher quality toys than a regular chain pet store.  Their prices aren’t bad either.  I got a whole bag of mixed rawhide pieces for only $12.99!  That was only after I got in a little tiff with another dog and had to leave and come back.  Oops.  While the girls shopped for awhile, Michael and Tyson took me to my first dog park.  I was so good!  I really just don’t like meeting dogs on a leash, even if it is a cute lobster leash from Maine.  I was good at walking on my leash and teaching Oscar to follow me but once I meet another dog, I just forget my manners.

We all met back up for dinner and Oscar and I laid calmly under table, enjoying our new treats from Fetch and listening to everyone rave about their food.  Oysters and fish are fine for them!  I think they really liked the wine too…

The streets of Portland with Oscar biting my ear (typical)

Such a cute, cobblestone street!

This is me at the dog park.

 

Dinner at Street and Company

 

They gave us our own water bowl!

I was so good lying down while everyone ate! (and you can kind of see my new leash)

 

Street and Company

Check out the Yelp reviews on Street and Company so that if you are ever in Portland, ME you’ll know of a great place to eat!  The atmosphere was absolutely unbeatable.  Rustic and cozy, it would be a romantic place for a date or a fun place for a group.  The outside dining is in a cobblestone alley.  We loved it!  It’s mostly seafood and the wine list is extensive.  It is a little pricey (not your average drop in place on a vacation) but it was 100% worth it.

Yum!

The World According to Buddy

Since Tyson and Kelly do not update their adventures often enough, I have decided to take over this blog.  I think that my writing will be more interesting than anything they have to say!  We’ll see how it goes.

Me pulling Tabi on our walk

Earlier this month, I got to meet my Aunt Tabitha for the first time.  It was very exciting because she was so nice to me!  She let me do all kinds of things Tyson and Kelly don’t let me do…like walk with a really long leash!  I got to sniff everywhere and get into everyone’s yard like I always want to.  She played tug with me in the house AND invited me up on the couch!  But Tyson and Kelly promptly told her I wasn’t allowed on the furniture.

Playing tug in the living room

While Tabi was here, Tyson and Kelly took her all kinds of fun places I couldn’t go – like the Boston Marathon and on a Duck Tour!  They saw Kara Goucher in the lead, running toward the finish but she ended up getting passed.  It was, as always, a great race.

Go Kara!

After Tabi left, I got to go on my first hike!  I was very excited about getting dirty and climbing all over.  It was very hot though and I was tired of walking but we had to keep going.  I slept the rest of the day.

The dirty swamp water

Hale Reservation

It’s hard to see in the swamp water picture but I am wearing my new, navy blue collar with the red lobsters all over it.  Tyson and Kelly brought it back from Maine and I love it!  It makes me feel like a true New Englander.  They got it at this cute store in Portland called Fetch.  They brought me so many yummy treats since I didn’t get to go.  In fact, I’ve never been to Maine and they’ve gone twice within the last month!  Last weekend, they went with Sarah and Michael just to eat lobster at Chauncey Creek!  They found out that dogs are welcome though so I will get to go next time.  Yippee!  They love that lobster place and take everyone they know up there.  If you are visiting Boston soon, I’m sure they’ll take you too!

With Zack…

Who is this clown?

April was a good month.  The weather stayed pretty nice and we’re all excited for summer to come in full gear.  The vet told me I have to lose some weight so I am thankful for days that it’s not raining so I can get my exercise.  We’ve been to our neighborhood park a lot lately and I’m trying really hard to be better at playing fetch.  Sometimes I just get so distracted though!  I’ll let you know when I’ve got the hang of it.

At the park – look at me sit!

A New Friend

Buddy + Oscar

This is How We Play Fetch

1.  We throw the ball

2.  Buddy goes to get it

3.  Buddy lays down

Another Spring Tease

Dear Spring,

When will you stay!? All of New England is waiting for the sunshine to kick on and the temperatures to rise.  We are ready for sandals and shorts and skirts. We want to eat dinner outside and watch the Red Sox play. We want to drive to work without gloves in the morning and we want to walk our dogs in the evening without hats.  We really want to put Northface into hybernation and box up the UGGS for the season. Please oh please let us know when you are staying! We are more than ready. In the meantime, thank you for today…

Castle Island, South Boston

Just Call Me Martha!

On some very rare occasions, I am in the mood to bake. Since we’re on snow day number who knows what, I needed something to fill my time. Now presenting, Martha’s “Chewy Cherry-Oatmeal Cookies.” I always use dried cranberries and today, I substituted half the butter with ground flax meal because I was short 1/4 cup and no way was I going out in the snow for a small amount of butter. Try these sometime, they really are fantastic! The honey makes them much more chewy than regular Oatmeal cookies.

Another exciting day in 4th grade

http://www.dailynewstribune.com/news/x1237127906/Waltham-elementary-school-bus-in-accident

February

February is a grueling month on the East Coast.  Most people complain about March but I find February to be more difficult.  Being inside gets old and finding things to do that don’t require prolonged exposure to the outside is very challenging.  So what have we been doing in the cold?

1. Skiing & Snowboarding

2.  Bowling

3.  Teachers Day at the Celtics Game!  (My co-workers would kill me if I posted their faces but 3 of us got to sit in the executive level at the Garden!  Girls day at the game!  We got to take pictures with the championship trophy and try on the ring!  Teachers deserve some special treats once in awhile.)

4.  Try to get outside for fresh air!  Every once in awhile, the Lord BLESSES New England in the best possible way.  By granting us a little sunshine and a temperature that is above 35, He gives a moment of hope.  On our most recent ‘fake spring day,” we took a walk along the river to take some photos just for fun.  98% of the people outside had their cameras too.  We all had the same ideas for spending the day in the sun.

More Tales From 4th Grade

1.   Mrs. Puetz:  Before I was a teacher, I studied Sociology in college.  (students have no idea what this is) I basically studied how to deal with all of you better.  Like ______(student’s name)______101 for example.

Student who was previously named in the conversation: Now that must have been a good class!

2.  Mrs. Puetz:  I keep telling you that your teacher who is so nice keeps doing things for you. Like today, I sharpened 15 pencils for you so you can stop getting up to sharpen yours!

Student (under breath but of course wanting me to hear): Every time she says that, I just have no idea what teacher she is talking about!

A Happy New Year

Because we didn’t send a Christmas card this year, I never really took the time to reflect on 2008 as I normally would. In an attempt to wish you all a Merry (belated) Christmas and Happy New Year, allow me to share some highlights of life here on the East Coast~

Kelly completed her first year of teaching and took a much needed break from children during the summer. In June, she went with her sister to Washington DC and bonded over early American History. Then it was off to Florida to meet mom and Tyson for some beach time and some Red Sox games at the Tropicana Dome.

The balcony of the Newseum

Ah...Coronas and Pina Coladas on the beach. That's the life!

She filled the rest of the time working almost full-time on planning Tyson’s sister Tabi’s bridal shower & bachelorette party. While being employed as a BAMOH, she did manage to find time to sit on the deck and read, search for cocker spaniels online and go for runs…occasionally.

In August, we headed out West. Only after our trip to the beach did we settle in for wedding-planning support. We are so blessed to have friends that are willing to make time for us when we are in Seattle. We always wish we could see everyone every time and we’re so grateful for all of you!

Ocean Shores

The beautiful bride to be!

Tyson began brewing his own beer this summer with a home-brew kit his wife bought him for his birthday! She proudly drank his first brew which was a clone of Mac And Jack’s American Amber, not to be found on the East Coast. It’s a fun new hobby that Tyson shares with a few friends out here. We enjoyed some kayaking this summer and a visit from Bryan, which always brings some random adventures.

The Brewmaster's tool

Feeding each other their ordered "side of bacon" with the nachos. How very Bry and Ty...

The Charles River

In addition to our Seattle visit, August was also marked by our camping trip in Acadia. We had waited so long to make it that far North in Maine and we were so thrilled at the views and the scenery. It really was like a little taste of home.

How much higher are we going?

Fall started off at gunshot pace. Tabi’s wedding was the second week of school so after meeting the class, we hopped on a plane and immediately morphed into “Tyson and Kelly – ultra-supportive wedding planning all-stars!” I guess Tabi can confirm or deny that…From the first night, we were thrilled to be a part of every detail as if we were not visiting from 3,000 miles away. It was a special time with family that we truly cherished.

Bachelorette Party - Woo!

Spa Day

Mr. and Mrs. Adkins

Mr. and Mrs. Puetz

After we returned from Seattle, our lives were forever changed by Buddy. After a year of searching for the perfect cocker spaniel and then debating between a puppy and a 1 or 2 year old, the decision was made for us. The staff at school knew we wanted a dog and someone knew of a family that had to get rid of a 2 year old cocker – for free! So we picked up the very cutest dog we’ve ever met and he joined the Puetz family unwillingly at first but has now settled into a very comfortable (and spoiled) life. Don’t worry, we watch the Dog Whisperer and try to practice pack leading as consistently as possible! But we also buy him a lot of toys…

He will destroy that bone is less than 30 seconds

2008 ended with a celebration of 5 years of wedded bliss.  Tyson sent 5 enormous stems of our exquisite wedding flowers to my school as a surprise. The principal called me down to “talk to me about something in his office” so I had to go through a bit of panic before receiving the long amaryllis stems. We spent the 20th together inside, watching the snow fall all day and trying to decide how badly we really wanted to go out to dinner! It was all worth it when he surprised me with one of the most romantic restaurants in Boston (according to me, not according to any reviews). With champagne and a little sparkly surprise, we toasted to the journey we’ve been…across the country…through ups and downs and back again. We grown tremendously since that special day at Tracy Castle and we are thankful for the Lord’s faithful provision in our marriage.

The beautiful flowers

New York City

We ended the year with our now-annual anniversary celebration in New York City. It turned out to be our Christmas celebration as well due to 2 very recent Seattle trips. Although we missed our family over the holidays, we look forward to seeing them as soon as possible!

In looking forward to 2009, we are thankful for good health, low rent (a big deal in Boston!), good friends, a growing church, and more New England adventures to come! We spent New Year’s Eve planning our trips for the coming year so stay tuned…we might be coming to see you in 2009! And don’t worry…in return for a room in your home, you are always welcome to a room in ours.

Wishing you all a blessed 2009!

Love,
Kelly & Tyson

We're going to the World Series!