Toby is another name for love....
Have you seen Marley and Me, and thought it was the greatest movie but the ending was a little sad because you really fell in love with Marley. On Monday (Memorial Day) our family said good- bye to our dear old lab "Toby". He was 11 years old. We were all with him when he passed. He has been with our family since he was 6 weeks old. It was a warm day in April, Mark was on a business trip and the night before our car had been broken into and I was feeling nervous being home alone with 3 small kids and wished I had a dog to make me feel safe. I had taken the kids to the mall and in the parking lot was a truck with a sign that said "Lab puppies". We just had to take a look. Well of course we fell in love and Tiffany's birthday was just around the corner and she cried "mom, the puppy is all I want for my birthday". He chewed our shoes, fingers and toes, listened to our tears, always up for a cuddle, tended many puppies, went on the boat and the water tube, climbed slide at the park, and couldn't wait to go for a walk. He always offered unconditional love and was always happy to see us come home. We will miss his smile, and his love.
19th Annual Fire Hydrant 5 Event to benefit the Larimer Humane Society.
I have always wondered if I could run a 5K race. I have always run inside on my home equipment and was not sure how that compared to running on the road. I month ago I found out about this race the the local Humane Society and as you know I have a soft spot in my heart for dogs. I knew that this was a fun way to support them and also try to set some of my own goals. So, I started training outside. Let me tell you there is a BIG difference running on a treadmill and running outside. The race was early so I was rushing around the house in the morning and I was so nervous leaving the house for the race I forgot, my ipod (but remembered my earphones), my water and ALYSSA. Mark was able to call the house and wake Alyssa and Tiffany and they surprised me at the finish line!! It was great to have there support. My goal was first to finish the race without walking and under 30 minutes. I accomplished both!! My finish time was 29:27. I was 6th in my age group. Not to bad for my first race?! Next race (the 5k Rocky Mountain Labrador rescue) is only a week away, back to training.
My Precious Gift!!!
I love the vision of the future in your beautiful face, the twinkle of your eyes when you create you art. I want to be the best mom I can be to you and embrace you with all my love.
You are as precious as a flower and as gorgeous as a rose. You have been specially made from the tip of your head down to the tip of your toes. You are as sweet as honey, such an innocent young child. You are brighter than any star in the sky and every time you smile you raidate your grandfather dimples. I want you to be proud of who you are and strive to be the best. Put forth your efforts to achieve your goals. I will always be proud to be your mother, and am also very lucky you have you as a friend.
You are the most precious gift, that I've ever been given.
I love you, Mom
Oh is there nothing cuter than baby LABs. There was a lab breader in our area that had a litter of 9 puppies. The parents are show dogs and the puppies are just gorgeous. Of couse we had to go see them. The puppies that I am holding are the females in the litter. They are 4 week old and have just opened their eyes. This is heaven for me.
Mark's Dad, turned 80!!! For his birthday Mark, Tiffany and Jon (mark's brother) took him to the Air Force base in Colorado Springs to an an aviation museum that is on the base. Before they could even enter the AFB they need to go through a security check point. They almost spent more time getting clearance then they did at the museum. Then they rode the COG train to the top of Pikes Peak.(14,000 Ft.) Mark, Tiffany, and Jon got a touch of altitude sickness, but not Lenard. It is funny that the oldest one in the group could handle the altitude the best. It was a very special day for all.
