Most Popular Name

Most Popular DOG name that is- of 2009! Google posted a list today of the most popular AND the most unusual dog names of 2009- and no, Gabby did not make the list! This was according to VPI (Veterinary Pet Insurance). Sources also said that "Bella" was the most popular name due to the book/movie "Twilight" being so popular and it's the main character's name. . . who'd have thought! Just PLEASE don't name your dog Inspector Foo Foo!
Most Popular:
1. Bella
2. Max
3. Bailey
4. Lucy
5. Molly
6. Buddy
7. Maggie
8. Daisy
9. Chloe
10. Sophie

Most Unusual:
1. Doogie Schnauzer Md
2. Sargent Sausage
3. I Am Sparticus
4. Lunchbox
5. Angus Sir Loin
6. Bam-Bam Noodle Butt
7. Mouse Meat
8. Fluffernutter
9. Kanye East
10. Inspector Foo Foo

A Bobblehead Christmas

First of all, ignore my morning hair in this picture (it was Christmas morning)! Bill and I have a running joke that he is NOT, under ANY circumstances allowed to buy any bobbleheads, but, as you can see, he found a loophole! When Bill and I got married, he came with all kinds of collections: college books, scooby doo stuff, eagles, Sacramento Kings paraphenillia, and bobbleheads. I just keep thinking, "Where are we going to put all of this stuff?" So I put my foot down- NO MORE BOBBLEHEADS! Fast forward two years where I LOVE The Office and have watched every episode four times. Bill found this Dwight Bobblehead (that Angela actually gave him in one of the episodes, if you recall) and he thought it would be the "perfect" gift for me since he knows I love The Office so much. So now this bobblehead proudly sits in our front room. To be honest, I'm a little nervous for next Christmas!

Just Dance!

For my birthday this year Bill bought me Dance Dance Revolution! It is a fun, interactive video game, where you step on arrows and dance to the music (and have to keep a rhythm too). My mom, dad, and Cara were really into it, but we only made it through the beginner level. I'm hoping I can practice over the next couple of months and then impress them with my skills when we all meet as a family again- just like when we play Guitar Hero or Rock Band. . . oh wait!

It's Snuggie Time

That's right, Gabby got a Snuggie for Christmas! I have a section in my classroom (The Beagle Shrine) where I collect Beagle "stuff". The students know I LOVE my dog and I use her in spelling sentences so they feel like they know her. And one of them, Sarah, got her a Snuggie! I took these pictures for Sarah so she can see how much Gabby appreciates her gift. I honestly didn't think people bought these for real, but here we are with one! It's so funny too because Gabby LOVES it and when she sees it she will whine and paw at it until we put it on her and then she is perfectly fine- stay tuned for more dog fashions (I guess. . .)

The Second Time Around

I don't pretend to be an expert on marriage because I have been married for two years, but today is my anniversary, so I am an expert today! I didn't think it was possible to love someone more than when you married them- but it is! And now I'm one of those people who gives advice to people who get married, and I LOVE that because I feel like I have a lot of advice:) The funny thing is, all the advice people gave you is true; don't go to bed angry, be respectful to get respect, agree to disagree, don't do any chore in the first six months that you don't want to do the rest of your life. I really do love being married and I really do adore the man I am married to, I am so blessed today to have him in my life!

Thanksgiving

Well, I spent my first holiday away from my family this year, technically I still spent it with my family because I was with the Hilton side of the family in Sacramento. I took the day off on Wednesday and we drove the 8 hours to California.

Bill and I have made it a new tradition to listen to a book on CD while we travel in the car, and this time we were hooked on a book by Margaret Haddix Peterson called "Missing". It turned a little sci fi toward the end, but otherwise it was really good.

Thanksgiving consisted of 30 people, a lot of pie, ham, stuffing, and almost no turkey! Bill's parents don't have a working oven, so they bought a roaster to make the turkey in- but the turkey wouldn't cooperate! My new favorite that Bill's mom makes now is Thanksgiving stuffing- yum! But Stove Top still comes in a close second:)

Is Gabby Taking Autographs?

I was reading a magazine and came across an advertisement for a pet contest and decided to enter Gabby! She really is the cutest dog ever, so we might have a chance:) I entered six pictures of her with titles and captions. This is one of the pictures I entered. Check it out: http://www.lhj.com/photos/lhj-photo-contests/