Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014!

2013 has been a year filled with highs and lows for our family. There have been frustrations and disappointments, of course.. but they have been far, far out-weighed by the good. In addition to a lot of really wonderful time with my family and friends, I can look at this list and see proof of forward motion, of goals met or —more importantly— actively in progress. Some of the major events of the year included:

• Created a new logo for Campbell's Brittanys (www.campbellsbrittanys.com) website featuring Odin and Loki and our new soup can logo 
• Celebrated Odin turning 5 and Loki turning 3
• Odin won his third Best of Breed show win with his awesome handler, Terri Erickson
• Celebrated Loki finishing 2012 as the number 3 derby dog (field class in Field Trials) for the Northwest Field Trial Council
• Loki earned his first broke dog field trial placement in a open gun dog stake with 14 other dogs entered
• After a year of showing at various shows throughout Washington, Oregon, California, and Utah, Loki earned his show championship and now is CH. Lacey Mtn's B Campbell Little Jester, JH
• Ben and I celebrated our eleventh wedding anniversary
• Ben and I checked off another travel destination on our list with a short getaway to Costa Rica

We hope you all had a wonderful 2013 and wish you a fabulous 2014!

Happy 3rd Birthday Loki!

Happy third Birthday to our sweet Little Dude, Loki! little boy you're one! No longer really a puppy, I take a moment to remember you as you were. You were fuzzy and sweet, and fit right on my lap where you would not leave. You cried for your First Mom, but have since learned she never really left you, only brought you to my care. You snuck under fences and stuck your face in my camera lens, making it nigh impossible for me to get a decent shot of anyone. From the first you insisted on keeping up with the big dogs, short legs never held you back. They still don't. You've done a great job showing people size does not dictate speed or ability, you defy both gravity and ride the wind. There was a day you were never called "Stinker", but you earned it and continue to earn it so I think the nickname is here to stay. But it doesn't take away one ounce of your joy, the love you express or the sweetness you show in quieter moments. Happy Birthday Melanie.

Christmas 2013

Christmas 2013 has been another good one for us! Surrounded by my family this morning for breakfast and presents and a visit with Ben's family and extended relatives this evening made for and long but good day filled with family.

Picture Perfect

Our little family!

Chirstmas Spirit

We're getting into the Christmas spirit around here as we settle into what will be a 1.5 week vacation for Ben and a week vacation for me and complete our final Christmas preparations. My parents will be coming over for our annual Christmas Day celebration and Ben's Aunt and Uncle are even in town this year from Pennsylvania this year.  The stocking are hung, the presents are wrapped, we're all anxiously awaiting Christmas to be here...

33rd Birthday Celebration

I celebrated my 33rd birthday this past Monday with a low key day since it was a work day. I was greeted by treats from my co-workers including a bottle of Prosecco and a flowering Christmas cactus for my office. My friend Breanna treated me to lunch at one of my favorite spots, El Pariso complete with singing and sombrero wearing. Ben surprised me with a lovely bouquet of roses which he had delivered to my office. After work, we headed out for a nice Italian dinner and then home for some relaxing with Odin and Loki who  I was also treated to a lovely bunch of lilies at home. 

Providence Festival of Trees

This year I had the opportunity to attend Providence Hospital's Festival of Trees on behalf of my company since we were the media sponsor. The week- long event raises funds for Providence Children’s Services so that they can provide children in Snohomish County with life-changing therapy and services at the Children’s Center at Providence Regional, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. The big event of the week was the Gala auction and dinner which gave all of that attended the ability to dress up and open our wallets in support of a good cause and helped them raise more than $670,000. It was great being able to participate in these events and I look forward to doing it again and being a part of supporting their cause and spend an evening with co-workers and my boss outside of the office.