Luck of the Irish

I recently finished my latest painting. I really liked this photo my friend in Ireland took and I asked him if I could attempt to paint it.

Photo taken by Eymard Martin, Kilkenny, Ireland

He agreed to let me and I am very pleased with the way it came out. This is by far my best painting so far.

I've had good comments on it and even someone wondering if I sold my paintings. It really gives me encouragement to continue painting. I think my next project will be one of Saydi-dog.

Here is a picture of where my new art piece is now located in my home.

Our Saydi-dog (3/10/2001-1/15/2014)

Saydi-dog

This week we lost a member of our pack. Saydi joined our family as a puppy in 2001. According to my brother and dad, she was the cutest ball of fluff they had ever laid eyes on. She was the last of her litter to be sold and as she came running out of the shed to greet her new family, my father says he couldn't get his check book out fast enough.

Her mother was a Jack-Russell Terrier and we believe her father was a Chow because of the fluff of mane on her neck and the black spots on her tongue. As a puppy she had floppy ears, until one day, when one of her ears stood up. It was like she had finally grown into them.

A short while after her adoption, my mother brought home a little kitten, whom my brother named Stryder.

Upon first meeting each other little Stryder wasn't that thrilled. But they soon grew to be fast friend. I've never seen a dog and cat get along so well.

 

Both of them were the friendliest of animals. Stryder still thinks he is a dog. He is happily living in Washington with a good friend of mine. When my parents moved to Montana the duo was separated.

Saydi happily followed my parents from house to house. She lived in seven different houses during her life. But she was happy because she was with her people.

She loved her people, but she was never a really a cuddly dog. But she would always welcome us at the door. Tail wagging and grinning. She loved to be scratched.

She always wanted to see what was going on outside. So in every home she had her spot.

My parents have a jar of almonds sitting on their kitchen counter, and whenever I want a quick snack I go for the almond jar. Saydi always knew, no matter where she was in the house, when I was getting into the almonds. As soon as I had a hand full I would look down and see this:

Those big brown eyes...she loved almonds.

Her last few months she lost her hearing but not her excitement for being alive. She would randomly play with her toys. She spent all of Christmas time enjoying the little ones that adored her and the food dropped by them from the table.

Shortly after new years she stopped eating. Not even her doggy biscuits. She lost a lot of weight.

So this last Tuesday my parents took her into the vet. The news was worst then they first thought. Our little buddy had just a few days left. So we had to say our good-byes:

She spent her last day sleeping and sitting outside in the sunshine. When the time came my parents were with her and she was able to rest.

She was the most gentlest, sweetest, loyal animal I have ever met. She will be missed.

The littlest ones

One of the blessings of having my niece and nephews in town I finally got to meet my niece and get to know how cute my littlest nephew is.

While they were in town my niece got her baby blessing. My mother spent a bit of time converting my sister-in-law's wedding dress into a baby blessing dress. It turned out so cute. I have to share.

 Her older brothers love to hold her:

Ryan

Max

One weekend they were here they went and visited Debbie's brother that lives across town. They left little Jason with my parents to get some one on one time with his grandparents.

He was so cute, toddling around and playing with random toys. He always wanted to be picked up and hugged. I loved getting to know these two cuties and wish I could see all four of them more often.

Happy New Year 2014

For this year's New Year, I spent it with my family. My sister-in-law's cousin's children offered to watch the little kiddos while us big kids got to go play.

We decided to go and eat at one of the nearby casinos. My dad was able to round up some New Years hats and noise makers.

And we got to eat at an all-you-can-eat buffet. And afterwards we drove over to our favorite Red Rock Casino movie theater and we watched Saving Mr. Banks.

Great movie, made me cry. And afterwards we went back to my parents and hits some pots and pans outside at midnight. And toasted to the new year with some Sparkling Cider.
It was a fun end to my brother's family visit. They headed back home the next day.

After Christmas...

After Christmas my cousin Kaytie and her family came down from Lehi, UT and spent the weekend with us. The first night they arrived my dad got out their little fire pit and had the kids gather up pine cones. Then he made a fire to roast marshmallows.

 





We all gathered around and roasted some.

Cute little Evelyn all dressed up.

 

Max, Tony, Kaytie, Annie

Debbie and Jason

Only in Las Vegas can you roast marshmallows outside in December, the day after Christmas and wear only the lightest of coats.

On Friday we packed up the seven kids and eight adults and went for a tour of the Las Vegas Strip. Each adult had a kid as a buddy and my dad was the herder. We started off at the Bellagio Gardens.

My bubby for the day was Ryan

My favorite place to visit is the gardens. They are so fun to see the different decor they put up every season. This year they had jumping water falls. The kids loved it. Here is Ryan watching the train.
Then we took them around to the chocolate fountain.

We caught a train up the strip to go see the M&M store.

Dad, Tony, Max, Debbie and Doug

Walking the street with little ones was interesting but we all made it in one piece and was the kids had fun at the M&M store. We even saw the 3D movie they had.

After the store we walked back the Bellagio through the Crystals Mall.

 

And ended the day in front of the Bellagio to watch the fountains. Unfortunately, the fountains didn't start until 3 pm and it was only 1:30 pm. So we took a few pictures and headed back home.

 

One tired little boy

It was fun having Kaytie's family in town. Even if it was just for a few days.