While the parents are away...

...the pups will play!

We've always had the luxury of shipping our canine children off to be with family or friends if Mike and I ever needed to be away from home for the weekend.  Tank and Kaia are usually pretty well-mannered (well, at least some of the time), but they can definitely run around like a couple of hellions, too!  It's sort of a Jekyll and Hyde type scenario...you're never quite sure what you're going to get!  Last weekend was the first time we'd attempted to get out of town since our big move to Pennsylvania this summer.  

Luckily, my trip to check out a new consignment shop in Elizabethtown proved doubly successful when I saw an advertisement for the Playful Pups Retreat :)  With a few phone calls and a little bit of running around the city (updating vaccinations, getting copies of medical records, and licensing the dogs with the city)...we took Tank and Kaia for a little facility tour and behavioral assessment early last week.  *sadface*  Neither one of them passed their behavioral assessment with flying colors...Tank was beyond scared of the twelve-week old daschund puppy who had crazy amounts of energy and, well, Kaia just looked at the door whimpering to try and find Mike and I.  

That being said, we weren't sure if either of them were going to be able to partake in the "doggy daycare" festivities that Playful Pups offered while we were gone for the weekend.  The staff assured us they were still OK to be boarded at the facility and they were willing to let both Tank and Kaia adapt to the new surroundings before giving them a second attempt at a behavioral assessment on Saturday morning.  And so, Mike dropped them both off Friday afternoon before we headed out on our road trip.  In the back of our minds we were both hoping they'd get along with the rest of the pups (and also hoping that Tank wouldn't harass Kaia to the point of insanity...as they were sharing a "Petite Pooch Room" all weekend long).  

Little Miss Kaia...so much smaller than the fire hydrant!

I'm guessing that's the closest she got to another dog all weekend!

Looks like a couple of chihuahuas are enjoying their time in the sunshine :)

How cute it Mr. Tank prancing around in the background!?!

...and apparently running to find something fun

He must have passed his behavioral evaluation...

Needless to say, we were relieved to see pictures of these guys hanging out with the rest of the pups...the center makes sure to post pictures from each day's playtime to their Facebook page; it made it much easier for the two of us to enjoy our weekend knowing that our dogs weren't biting each other's heads off or making trouble with the rest of the daycare kids! 

Mike picked them up on Monday morning and brought them home where they proceeded to spend all day and night s-l-e-e-p-i-n-g...guess it was a successful and exhausting weekend for all of us, not to mention that a three night stay for both dogs (and playtime) only cost us a total of $85!! I don't think we'd find that price at any of the kennels/daycare in MN!  All in all, it was a great experience with the staff at Playful Pups Retreat, we'll definitely take Kaia and Tank back sometime soon!!!  

We're Back...

OMG.  OMG.  OMG.   This weekend was filled with none other than the most fabulous fall weather one could ask for.  Picture perfect.  Seriously.  Oh...did I mention that same weather was used to thoroughly enjoy some time in the big apple, none other than NEW YORK CITY! They definitely don't make those I <3 NY shirts just for the heck of it--it really was an amazing experience with a great group of friends!!  What a great first impression of a place I clearly need to get back to (a.k.a the first of many trips, after all it's only a three hour trip).

I don't know what else to say...but if you haven't been there, you need to go explore it for yourself! SO COOL and SO AMAZING.  I think I may need to move there...and it's not because SoHo has any shop a girl could ever want!  Took lots of really fun (and goofy) pictures that will definitely take some time to get through before they're all gussied up for you to see--keep your eye out, they'll be coming soon.  For now, it's vegging out on the couch and catching up on some sleep :)

(early) Cheers to the Freakin Weekend

Eeeeekkk!  There's another crazy weekend in our future and I'm getting ready to put my tourist hat on...and clear my memory cards so I can take lots and lots and lots of pictures!  Oh yeah, did I mention we're headed to New York for the weekend?? Another place on the east coast I've never been.  Needless to say, I'm getting giddy just thinking about it.  Obviously our 2 day trek will leave us with more tourist envy, cause I'm sure we'd probably need about three weeks to see everything we'd want to see in and around the city (OK, probably more than that even but I had to choose a number).

We haven't nailed down an itinerary yet but do know that we're headed to see the new 9/11 Memorial first thing Saturday morning; so stoked that I was able to score tickets for us...after all, I guess it's only fitting--I am married to Stubby :-)  Other than that, Times Square, Top of the Rock, Chelsea Market, The High Line, Central Park, Grand Central Station, and Chinatown are on the short list.  Not to mention, what would a long weekend out of town be without a mouth-watering New York style bagel or two, a strong cup of coffee to start each morning, and some delicious and off-the-beaten-path restaurants for lunch and dinner.  Did I mention that I'm excited to go??

I haven't checked the weather yet...but I'm hoping for some sun and warmish fall weather.  Either way, we're bound to have a blast and make some great memories in the process.  I'm up for taking any and all advice you New York  connoisseurs have, so feel free to throw it at me!  Any insider information would be much appreciated.  I just hope New York is ready for this crew :-)

Hang Loose Hawaii

I've been delving deeper and deeper into the blogging world since I started keeping you guys up-to-date on our lives in PA a few short months ago.  Needless to say, I've uncovered a number of different blogs in the time since then--people who seriously devote their lives to blogging--and have gotten quite good at it.  Professional bloggers.  A few of the blogs I follow just happen to originate in the lovely state of HAWAII.  You may remember my recent post about ALOHA FRIDAY; it's refueled my desire to live the island life.  The sun, the sand, the surfing (ok...I don't surf, but I'd like to learn...or learn to paddle board).  Just about everything.  I LIKE.  Even the blog posts are laid-back and r-e-l-a-x-i-n-g.  Island life, ahhhhh!  Someday...

I want to have an avocado tree in my backyard,
I could have fresh guacamole 24 hours a day

Oh yeah, I want a lime tree too!
The limes in this photo look suspiciously like avocados...
I assure you, they're not!

Plumeria trees and orchids all over, YES!  They smell fabulous :-)
Ok...I'm sensing a tree theme here

What says ISLAND more than sand and surf??

Can't forget about coffee, straight from the source!

You mean to tell me there's an ocean nearby?

I think I'd probably start an all-sushi diet!

I have a feeling that there are two chihuahuas that would adapt quite nicely to the island life.  I can picture them basking in the sun all day, everyday.  At least until the sun gets too H-O-T...realistically, that would probably happen sooner rather than later for the both of them.  They'd adapt.  I'm sure of it.

Hawaii is only ONE place on my list of places I'd like to live someday...Toronto, Vancouver, and Denmark are also on the list.  Don't ask why, I'm not entirely sure.  Oh yeah, back to Minnesota too!  Until then, I'll be settled here for a while...or maybe I'll settle on a few Hawaiian vacations in the meantime :-)

Nuptials...PA Style

We took a little mini-roadtrip Saturday to celebrate the wedding of some great friends.  Had a beautiful Saturday afternoon drive through some pretty gorgeous parts of Central Pennsylvania; our first stop was Danville--site of the actual Ermak vows, then it was off to Wilkes Barre to let the celebration begin.

Celebrating the Ermaks!

We arrived to the reception early--early enough to find ourselves a bar close by and get a drink.
Beer Boys, a "Kings College bar" as the gentleman in the hotel lobby told us, sounded like a fun place...
it might have been fun six years ago, when it EXISTED!  The boys were disappointed, Yelp fail :(
Nice walk through an abandoned part of town, though...
and now we know there is a "Kings College" in Wilkes Barre, PA, how informational.

The DeBoers and Mike checking things out on the walk back to the hotel

Finally found a bar downtown that was OPEN and OPERATIONAL :)  Our waiter, none other than Seth Rogan himself.
Ok, not really, but he walked up to the table and introduced himself as such...the voice was identical, physical features bore a slight resemblance.  It definitely afforded itself a picture to commemorate.  

The happy couple, reunited after a long SEVEN weeks apart.
Celebrating with a couple of Dogfish Head on tap.  

Mike and I tried a YARDS straight from Philly; as Seth Rogan put it a beer that was "out of this world"
It was good, but I wouldn't go that far...

Rodano's--thank you for the drinks and Seth Rogan, LOL!

The man half of the Refugee camp, reunited.  The groom, all smiles :-)
A few moments later, "Big City, that announcement about the wedding party...that means you!"

Oh NO you didn't...McSurdy double-fisting the drinks during cocktail hour.
On the left folks, he somehow talked the bartender into a FULL glass of scotch, Jen's reaction is priceless.

Jake McSurdy...the McLife of the party and the majority of our laughs/impromptu entertainment for the evening!
Duh, it's called a wedding party!

This one isn't allowed to be seen any larger, but it made the cut because
it's one of the only photos of the six of us together.
Excuse the pixelated look and the creepy glowing, green eyes!

The Dr. and the Mrs., their first dance as husband and wife

Photobooth props...strikingly similar to the masks we saw the
 "Occupy Wallstreet" protesters wearing in downtown Wilkes Barre...

Those look like they fit perfectly, Mr. Condon

Take my strong hand...straight from Scary Movie 2, no??

...that's all I have to say

Group photo booth to commemorate the Ermaks...complete with the infamous "Baltimore Speedbag"

Cheers!