Trinity Is Gorgeous

Money is pretty tight this year...not just for us, but for everyone. As I have talked about before, I have gotten very close with the Gaskins family that adopted Chance. I visit them almost weekly and they treat me like part of the family.

I remember when I was little that it was just expected that mom buys the present you give to your dad, and dad buys the present you give to mom. But either way they are paying for their own presents. Well I wanted to do something special for the Gaskins this year.

I called a couple weeks ago and asked to talk to their 8 year old daughter Trinity. Trinity and I came up with an awesome idea. We planned a photoshoot so we could give them a photo book for Christmas. Today I got to steal her away from them and took her to Encanto Park. Wow we got some amazing pictures!

I tell you right now they are going to need to start putting a shot gun next to the front door...because that little girl is gorgeous. The boys are going to line up around the corner.

Anywho, I think they turned out pretty nice! More pictures for my porfolio

Crafting Corner

Now that Derek's office is all done, I decided to make a little area for myself! This is my primitive crafting station for now. This is where I have been spending alot of my time as of late because of all my Christmas crafting. I've got my huge stack of Christmas cards to the left, my sewing box, sewing machine, some fabric, and my laptop (of course it has Etsy.com on it in the picture)

I've enjoyed having my own little area, and it's been nice for me to spend with the babies too. Jackson likes to lay under the table at my feet and sleep. Tiger likes to sit on the desk and enjoy the residual warmth from the laptop. And Alex sleeps directly behind me on the guest bed.I can't wait to actually finish some projects and I'll post some of those later. Got alot of presents I've been making and having made!

Thanksgiving of Weirdos

We went to my Dad and Lisa's house for Thanksgiving. We considered ourselves fortunate because yesterday Derek's was diagnosed with pinkeye. Ick!! But they still let us go to their house so long as there was no butterfly kisses to be had.
Lisa made such an excellent meal! She's the best!

Olives and the beautiful table setting!
Our goofy family picture. Of course Derek pretends to be asleep.
I love all these people!
Lisa talking to Daisy

I am so glad we spent it with them. They are the best and I love hanging out with them. All the talk of farts makes it interesting...but the true encouragement they give us is what makes them the best.

I love you Dad & Lisa!

My First Paid Photoshoot

I had such a blast today! I met Brooke with her 2 dogs, Clover & Paisley at Cosmos Dog Park. I spent about an hour with them and took all kinds of pictures. There was quite a few dogs there, so it was a challenge at times and I left with more than a couple muddy pawprints on my clothes.
Playing with my macro setting
It was on and off overcast which was nice.
Every time they jumped their little tongues would pop out. Treats are a dog/child photographer's best friend....but it also attracted every dog for miles around.
The sky was so blue! For a split second I was reminded of Oregon.
All and all they were very sweet dogs. They aren't professional grade shots by any means, but I'm trying to get my portfolio together and Brooke was more than happy to help me with it. I can't wait for the next photoshoot I may do!

Graduations and Steps Onward

8 Weeks come and gone. My 2 Sunday Beginner classes graduated today. They have all made me so proud. I am happy to say that Pickles mom: Gucci passed the class and will be moving on to Intermediate class when the time is right.I got pictures of all of them and I look forward to having them in classes again. Frito has already signed up for my Intermediate class starting Dec. 5th. Duke took his AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Certification and he passed!They've all grown so much from the issues they had and I'm glad to be called their trainer!

Derek's 23rd Birthday

Of course I had to do a photoshoot with the dogs for Derek's birthday. I would have gotten one with both of them, but I wasn't able to because Jackson was TERRIFIED of the balloons. It was the weirdest thing.

Derek's mom made him salmon for dinner. He loves salmon! I however ate Rice Krispies....yum, dinner of Champions.
The biggest reason I did the photoshoot was because I was in charge of getting the cake, and I decided to get him Facecake!!! He was very excited to be able to see his Ju-Ju on the cake.
We sang to him
He blew out his candles
Then he got a diabolical idea
And the cake flinging commenced!
The end result on Sarah
And rejoicing ensued.
Little D seemed to love his ice cream.
Derek opened all of his presents
And the night ended as every night ends at his moms.
And we wouldn't have it any other way.

Trinity's Birthday Present

Trinity is Chance's little owner. She's a little pretty pink princess. And what does every 8 year old little princess need? A custom name plate for her door.

Derek's Birthday Present

For Derek's birthday this year I redid his entire office. This is the before image (After about 2 hours of cleaning)
At this point I have painted the walls a nice tan color and started the framework for the built in desk.
Now the desk top is installed, and it's starting to get all put together. But I don't trust myself to get all the wires right to get it all set up.
So Derek did it for me. But he didn't mind at all, he loves to do that kind of stuff.
I think he likes it, what do you think?
Oh yeah, here's the custom Futurama paintings I made him to decorate the walls. They are on 12x12 canvas.
All in all I am very very happy with how everything turned out. It cost me a little over $250, but I think it was very worth it.

Another Puppy Class Graduates

Yesterday afternoon one of my puppy classes graduated. It had Fiona, Chance, Pickles, Penny, Chrissy, and Justice. I am really excited about it though, because it sounds like most of them plan on moving on to the Intermediate class that starts in a couple weeks.


What a wonderful class! I enjoyed them so much.

Bark & Wine Event

Today I took Pickles to the Valley Dogs Bark & Wine Event at Su Vino Winery in Scottsdale. Gucci came and so did Minnie at some point. In the very beginning of the event I bought $100 in raffle tickets, hoping to win a prize or 2. But below I've listed all the things I won at the event. No lie, people were starting to hate me because I was running up so often.

My step dad came because he was celebrating his birthday with his new girlfriend, Wendy. He won the silent auction for the autographed football of some new rookie Cardinals player.

The rescue did very well and got lots of donations. Pickles stole the show, everyone loved her. She was getting passed all around the area.

Ooh! Another big piece of news, one of my students: Sharla with Fiona the German Shepherd has decided she's going to adopt Pickles. It wont be finalized until mid-December, but we are starting the transition now. Her boyfriend came to the event and sold his comic books. All in all it was alot of fun, and I definitely didn't want out empty handed. Alot of my Christmas presents are done now!

The Raffle Items I Won:
Gems 4 Paws doggie necklace
Walking with Dinasaurs
Scooby Doo’s Dog Grooming
Babbo’s Italiano Bistro gift card ($20)
Papa Murphy’s – 2 Pizza
Harkins Movie Tickets – 4x
Tea for 2 and Champagne at the Phoenician
Gems 4 Paws “diamond” dogbone ladies bracelet
Dave & Busters Game Cards – 4x $10
Fetch Doggie Store and Kitty Too basket
Majerle’s $50 gift card, Hat and shirts

Oak Creek, Sedona

If this hike taught me anything it was that I shouldn't attempt to take 3 dogs out by myself, especially not the combination of 75lbs timid Jackson, 40lbs diva Alex, and 35lbs blind Pickles (an average curious puppy). Quite the recipe for disaster.I head out at 4:30am, with the disaster squad. I stopped by the gas station to pick up the necessities of the morning: 5 hour energy drink, mountain dew, slim jims, peanuts, and a lunchable.It was my first time in Sedona and I was absolutely amazed and in awe of the town. I think I'm in love!
I got to the trail and there was already like 4 cars there....I took my sweet time with the dogs, and only crossed 2 of the streams. I was very lucky that they didn't drag me into the creek. I had to apologize in advance to anyone that was on the trail today and came upon me and my delinquent pack of dogs. They are loud talkers (growlers and barkers) but they really are sweet dogs that love attention, it's just hard for most people to get past the scary exterior and sounds.
Despite all the other stuff I had a wonderful time and it was absolutely gorgeous...I can't wait to do it again soon, but without the dogs this time.