What Dahlias are supposed to look like.....

So one of my passions is Dahlias. I think they are wonderful and beautiful flowers. And I get really excited each year when it's time to plant them. This year I had to plant them late and in really rocky soil. Well...they were not cooperative at all and they look horrible. So Nick and I went down to Manito and took pictures of the really pretty Dahlia garden. I figured maybe mine at home didn't know what they were supposed to look like. So I showed them how beautiful they could be and how much potential each blossom had. Hopefully next year they will try a bit harder.

Such a beautiful Fall morning

Nick and I enjoyed an early morning float down the Little Spokane on Saturday morning. It was beautiful! Nick really wanted to see a moose, but we had no luck. We did see lots of foul, deer, fish fresh water clams and bugs. I am so glad that the Little Spokane is a protected area. Someone needs to protect the wildlife and the natural flow of life other than human up there. It is a shame that people don't follow the rules and leave beer cans at the bottom. Anyways here are a few pictures. Enjoy...

4 years down and 76 to go....

I joke with Nick telling him when he married me he signed an 80 year contract so he can't get out of it. So now he says: "*sigh*... 76 to go" That's why I love him! We joke, we snuggle, we race to see who can get down the steps the fastest, or who can open the other persons car door faster. We have so much fun! And yet he has been so compassionate, patient, and loving with me in these last few rough years. God has molded the perfect partner for me and I could not be any more greatful.

We went to the Spokane County Fair last night to celebrate our 4 year anniversary. We had fun as always!

This is Nick, not missing a crumb of the cinnamon and sugar....that's why I love him, he is not wasteful.
Me getting in the hot tub because it was a bit chilly when the sun went down.
Me holding my hand up so I could get my ring off.....Once a year free ring cleaning only at the fair!!!
The two love birds....the one on the left sure has her eyes open wide....sheesh!

So it's not completely done....but I could not wait to post some pictures **excuse the dirty camera lense, someone with golden hair licked it, and it has never been the same**. The color is a bit hard to see, but it is olive green with cream trim and black accents. Both doors will be black, but I think I have to get different paint, or an additive because they are aluminum. The chimney will come next. It is in pretty poor shape, so we have to get a mason out here to fix both of them. So I am sure I will post another picture when it is completely done. Wait, is it possible to be completely done.....I am not sure we would know what to do with ourselves. Oh wait, thats right, next year comes the landscaping. FINALLY!




I thought I would show my next project. My mom gave me this antique dresser, which I am going to use as a sideboard for the dinning room (a.k.a. the new place to lean the chuckit up against). I am thinking I will paint it black and get some cool knobs. What do you think?

And finally, my Grandma gave us bar stools for our birthdays....pretty cool grandma! We love them!

Those Parkert's sure are busy folk

Nick and I have been frantically trying to get our house ready for the winter. We are officially done putting the siding up, whoo hoo! And we started painting last night. I decided not to put up any of the paint yet because I want to show off the final product. But just so you know, Nick and I love the color. So you will have to wait for the surprise. Or you can drive by our house and see what it looks like, I can't stop you from doing that, he he.

We are still trying to decided what to do with the chimney. I think I am going to paint it. It is not in very good shape....

Next summer: Landscaping.....finally =-)

Fun with Bowling

I must say, we could have the best next door neighbors (Jamie, Morgan, Delaney and of course Molly) on earth. One day we will have a sky walk built from our house to theirs, then we won't have to fare the weather when we go to their house on a daily basis. When we move they are just going to buy the house next to us, and if they move, we will have to buy the house next to them. It is that simple. Morgan and Nick work on projects and Jamie and I go on lots of walks. They let us borrow all their tools, and let us keep some tools in their garage, because it locks and ours doesn't. We eat at each others house at least once a week. And they tolerate our many projects with lots of noise, and have never made a comment on the fact that our dog is still tied up in the front yard! We couldn't ask for more. But, as long as we have lived next door, and as often as we have hung out, we have never had an adult only date. I never even noticed because their daughter Delaney is such a delight. So Friday night was the first time.

Jamie and Morgan delighted us with their presence last Friday night. We went to Ferrantes for Calzones (so stuffed after), Maggie Moos for Ice Cream (could barely walk after) and some good ol' fashion bowling (just really needed to shower after) to burn off all the carbs that we ate. Only thing to say was it was a great night of fun. I put up an action shot of each of us. I managed to only get behinds.....no faces. Whoops!

I hate coming up with titles....

So to make a long story short, our camera is not the most reliable and really needs to be replaced. So here are some pictures that I have taken with my phone.

My good friend Katie stopped by for a short visit from Portland on Tuesday and brought her new puppy Kerby. She is just a little dolly and I really wanted to keep her. Gage and Olive really liked her too. Gage was a bit overwhelming for her but Olive was just her size. Here are some pics. She was really fast, so these are just a few pictures that are not blurry.



Gage finally calmed down a little bit and Kerby got used to the idea of a 90+ pound dog, and they did well together, but here is poor Gage longing to be outside playing with us. He is inside looking out the window, whining. We finally gave in and let him have a try at being gentle. He did very well.

I also have to share my new toys with all of you (all two of you who read this). I received two new very cool toys for my birthday. I already mentioned my awesome new phone (from Nick), which I would take a picture of if the camera was not stuck to the back of it. And I got a new vacuum from my mom. My mom asked me what I wanted for my birthday and I told her a new vacuum, and I told her the one I was looking at down at Costco (it was $80). She went down there to buy it and came home with the below model instead.....
A Dyson Animal....I have to say I am in love with it and the attachments are so amazing for my really hairy dog. If only he would let me vacuum him (I tried....it did not go over so well). Anyways, I recommend it for anyone with pets, and who really appreciate great cleaning tools. I am so spoiled, and so blessed!!