Family Hike

One year ago yesterday, we said good-bye to our sweet Belle.  She was a huge source of comfort to me throughout her life, but particularly her last few years, as we were muddling our way through infertility. I miss that girl everyday and wanted to do something to celebrate and remember her.  So, we decided to go on a family hike and take her little mini-me along. Silas kept his arm around her the whole time.

Nick runs this trail often, but it was my first time on it.  I'm not sure why, since it is 5 minutes from our house and has incredible views of the ocean, the mountains, and everything in between.  Maybe my absence has something to do with the fact that he is running.  But seriously....look at where I live! I spent the majority of my adolescence wanting out of California. My appreciation for the state has grown immensely in my adult life, and I really can't imagine living anywhere else now.

Holy crap! How did I get this kid!?!

If Brontie can get his paws on a stuffed animal, he will always, always, ALWAYS rip it to shreds.  After Belle died, I wanted to have something tangible to remember her by that our new baby could also love. So, I bought this little beagle and put Belle's collar on her.  I was very careful to keep our new Belle away from Brontie.  One day, we were shocked to see Brontie approach the couch where she was sitting and gently pick her up in his mouth.  He took her and laid down with her between his front paws and started licking her lovingly.  Nick and I were blown away. He has had many opportunities since then to destroy this stuffed animal, but he never has.  The worst he will do is smother her with licks. Needless to say, he loved our Belle too.

Belle would have loved this hike back in her prime. I think we honored her well.  I'm looking forward to hiking with my girl again someday in Heaven.  In the meantime, I'm thankful I've got these guys to hike through life with.

We love you forever Belle!

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Silas: Six Month Update

Something I have never included in these monthly posts, but that I think is worthy of mention, is the fact that Silas's head size has consistently been in the 99th percentile since he was born.  This kid's got brains! Here's the big boy at his 6 month appointment…before the needles came out and things got rough.  We're still recuperating from that one.

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Silas at Sochi

Well, the 2014 Olympics are coming to an end, but not before we have one final competitor.  Competing for the United States of America, here is Silas Franklin Swenson Kinnier…..

That's a gold medal right there. Belle, the totally unbiased judge, gave him a 10! The kid's got talent.

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Cupid Is Ready For His Big Day!

I know it's not Valentine's Day quite yet, but I couldn't resist posting these now. It is Valentine's week, after all.

Forgive the abnormally large wings on cupid.  That's what I get for making these while he was napping and not measuring his little body. But, in case you are in need of some abnormally large wings yourself, I will share my little DIY cupid costume on the blog later this week.

***I realize that my son will most likely hate me one day for making him pose in all these scenes (it's a risk I'm willing to take).  And, Nick, knowing this will probably be the case, refuses to have anything to do with any of these pictures, no matter how much I beg for his help. This kind of thing is really more of a two person job. Who wants to come help me with the next one?!  It's going to be a special Olympic edition.***

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Silas's Birth Announcement

I finally got around to finishing Silas's birth announcement.  I had so much fun making these, even if it did take me months to do it.  And, there was no way that I could choose just one picture of this photogenic little baby, especially since our photographer did such an incredible job (X&V Photography…check her out)! I sent the announcement out just after Thanksgiving, hoping that people would not confuse it for our Christmas card, but that was inevitable. Oh well. It's actually a good thing Christmas happened when it did, or these announcements would probably still not be out.

And, in case you didn't get one of our real Christmas cards, here it is...

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Eighteen Years

Belle would have turned 18 today.  I saw this bumper sticker on a car the other day and thought of her.  Really, I think of her everyday, but this is so perfect for her.  Some people have said that Belle only lived to be 17 1/2 because I took care of her and helped her get healthy....that I "rescued" her in a way.  But, the reality is that she rescued me over and over again these last few years.  Every month, when my heart was broken again from not getting pregnant, she helped me heal.  She comforted me and loved me and gave me a reason to keep going.  I know God's spirit had to be in her to know when I needed comfort.  There were many times that I wondered if she was really an angel.  (yeah, yeah....call me crazy.  But I bet some of you know what I'm talking about.)

I miss Belle everyday.  I miss her sweet presence in our house.  I miss cuddling with her every night and the way she followed me everywhere. I miss her laying across my feet while we're making dinner, hoping for scraps to drop and then, licking all the dirty dishes in the dishwasher when we're cleaning up. I miss taking her to the park and watching her explore. I miss her mischievous nature and all the crazy things I'd catch her doing.  I miss how well she knew me.  How she always knew what I needed.  I miss how she could make anything better.  She was a remarkable dog.  She was my first baby.  And she will always have a huge part of my heart. 

Happy Birthday Sweet Baby Girl!

I miss you so.

I can't wait to be celebrating with you again in heaven!

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Happy Halloween and Two Months to Silas

Since his two month birthday is on the same day as Halloween, Silas the nerd got to go out trick-or-treating.  He hooked Belle to her leash and headed on out into the spooky night to collect some candy...

Meanwhile, the brave Batman was canvasing the skies looking after all the trick-or-treaters, making sure everyone was safe.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

AND

HAPPY TWO MONTHS TO OUR NERDY LITTLE BATMAN!

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Month One Updates For Silas

I couldn't choose just one monthly pose, so this kid is going to have many poses each month and a monthly collage, along with his monthly walking Belle pictures....assuming he stays just as cooperative as he is right now (fingers crossed). And, since I take 5 million pictures on a daily basis, I can pretty much guarantee that there will always be outtakes as well.

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Silas is One Month

You probably could have guessed that Belle would be incorporated into Silas' monthly photos.  She was my first baby after all.  So, each month, we'll get to see how Silas grows in comparison to her.  The scenes may change a bit, but each month, Silas will take Belle on a walk and pose next to her. I can't wait to watch him grow, but I also wish time would slow down.  This kid is freaking fun! Seriously...he let me pose him over and over again for hours. And I have more about him being a month old coming tomorrow!

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