Sheep-a-Weenies are Three Weeks OLD!

I guess you could say that this week was certainly different. On top of a trip to Dallas (see next post) the puppies have continued to grow and get stronger. Their little personalities are starting to shine, and I'm looking forward to them meeting their new families soon. I should note that all of these guys have their eyes and ears open at this point, and are beginning to walk instead of "scoot." They've also gotten quite good at 'yelling' until their mother gives them what they want. LOL

Now, on to the pictures!





Flaco
Flaco is still our calm baby boy, he's a lot less vocal than his siblings, and it content just to "chill out" much like he's doing here.


Oreo aka Minnie

She's the only girl, and it shows. She's most content in a lap somewhere, or near her mother. Don't count her out of a fight, she's the first one to growl for her spot in the line. Being the runt has brought out the "fight" in her I guess. She is also our most content to lie on her back and let you rub her tubby tummy.



Bullseye


Bullseye is our first baby to ride in Rylee's new wagon, and he really seems to enjoy it. He, like Minnie is most comfortable curled up on the lap of one of his "people." He's calm and cool, and doesn't easily startle.



Chubs aka Mickey

Chubs is still our "big guy." He's also by far the most demanding of our time, as well as his mother's time. He demands to be fed, and cuddled, crying mercilessly if he doesn't get his way. I'm anxious to see if this is just a "phase" or if he'll really grow up to be this demanding. LOL I had a dog like him once...I carried her in a backpack to school to keep from being evicted from my apartment. She was a true whiner, and she never outgrew it, even at 13 years old. That's all from the land of Sheep-a-Weenies. Check back later for the updates and pics of our trip this weekend to Dallas, the Dallas Arboretum, and of course, The American Girl Doll Store.

Mamo, They Have EYES!

So they do. This week has brought us new challenges (just how do we keep them in that crate anyway?) and new joys...they have EYES! So let's get down to the pics. Here they are:

Donald aka Brinklee



Mickey aka Chubs


Our girl, Oreo, aka Minnie



Finally, Flaco, our skinny boy

Sheeple

So Rissy and I were watching a new show the other night...and the main character called these lemming-esque individuals "Sheeple." So, I promptly stole the name for my Sheep-a-weenies..because if you know me, you know that these guys are a part of my family. So...sheep-a-weenie + People = sheeple :-)

So...for the pics!

Week one: Mickey aka Chubs


Next up is Donald aka Brinklee




Our only girl, Oreo, aka Minnie



Finally there is our "other black boy" aka Flaco




I hope you enjoy these updates...check back soon for more pics from this week!

Behold...the Sheep-A-Weenies Have Arrived!

"What's a Sheep-a-weenie?" I've heard that comment often in the last few weeks, as we've prepared for the puppies' arrival into our family. Put simply, a Sheep-a-weenie is what happens when you try to "save up" for a spay of your basset/weenie and a neuter of your Old English Sheepdog. Yep...I should have taken out that high interest credit card and put the spay/neuter on that...would have saved TONS of money...even at 27% interest. So...what will they look like? I'm not real sure...but let me try to see if I can give you an idea.


This is Dexter Deen



Because this is a "family oriented" blog, and because I have a toddler, let's suffice it to say that he "married" Marlee Kate



And together, after much thought and planning, they decided to have babies...so the stork brought them four beautiful puppies. The Sheep-a-weenies!



They were born on February 21, 2011. Please check back often for updates on these one of a kind little dears. I'll try to update with pics from week 1 and 2 later.

24 Hours in Raider Land...and... An Apple a Day...

We didn't have a whole lot of time this month (imagine that) to devote to travel. We decided we would take an overnight trip to Lubbock to visit the Apple Country Orchards about 5 miles from Lubbock in Idalou. We had a great time! We came home with over 40 lbs of apples between what we picked for us and what we went back and got for Grammy the next day.

We started out on Saturday morning, getting as far as Canyon (less than 11 miles for those of you not familiar with the Amarillo area). That's right...10 minutes before our first potty break...this was shaping up to be a LONG drive! While in Canyon, we were fortunate to happen upon the Donut Stop. This is a memorable event for two reasons: 1. Donut Stop beat out Krispey Kreme in Amarillo and 2. Their Cokes are to absolutely DIE for. That being said, they also have an amazing bar area where you can have breakfast (or lunch right?) and watch them make donuts, fritters, and cinnamon rolls to sell to lucky customers throughout the day.

Finally we're on our way to Idalou! The drive is an easy one, straight down I-27, then winding around the farm fields to find the orchards. Once there, you're invited to have lunch in the gift shop. Their menu varies daily, but you get what they have, no picking and choosing here. We had "Chef's Choice" BBQ sandwiches and all the trimmings, a wonderful feast to prepare us for dragging the buckets behind us full of apples for over two hours that afternoon. They work on the honor system out here, so you're invited to pick all you want, and then pay once when you're leaving with your apples, jams, jellies and other treasures.





Rylee quickly made friends with the Orchard's mascots, two stray lab mix puppies who showed up a few weeks ago, and have adjusted quite well to their new roles as jungle gyms for children.





Rissy and I had to help Rylee pick some fruit higher in the trees, there was plenty of apples at Rylee level, and she had a ball picking (and eating) as many apples as she could I was informed while there that they only have one rule, "Eat as you pick!" They also offer roasted Hatch chilies and cider, not to mention the gazebo, water fall, and the other fruit and vegetables they offer year round.

We all had a great time at the orchard, and can't wait to go back next time.



Up next in our whirlwind adventure was a trip to the Stars and Stripes Drive in Theater in Lubbock. They have three screens, a playground, and a 50's style restaurant on property. It was an amazing West Texas evening, and we enjoyed the movie very much. If you go, please watch out for the goathead stickers in the play area, we were all covered in them when we got back to the room.

OK..so by now, you're probably wondering where the "Raider" is in this post right? Well, let me tell ya...on game weekends in Lubbock I've learned that you'd better be wearing you some red. Rissy was fortunate to have brought a red shirt, Rylee and I were the oddballs in our other colors. Everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE was wearing some form of "Raiders" gear. From refrigerators to flip flops, beer keg holders and baby blankets, it was all red all weekend while we were there. Lucky for us, Hotels.com did us a great favor and found us a room. I think it might have been the last one in Lubbock!

Finally, on our last day, not only did we return to the orchard for more apples, we visited Orlando's Italian Restaurant.



They have an all you can eat special, and Rylee and I enjoyed the spaghetti, while Rissy had a pizza. The best news of all? I left my phone on the table, and they called Rissy (last number dialed) within about 5 minutes of us getting out the door! That's service! One last thing to mention: they give away their old bread as "Duck Bread." What an awesome idea. Very kid friendly indeed.






Until next time....I hope your vacations are fun filled, you're days full of happy times, and your nights full of sleepy kiddos.

Roswell-Where the Aliens Are

We just returned from a trip with Rissy's family (and extended family) to southeastern New Mexico. Fun times were had by all of course, despite the misty weather all weekend. We started our trip with a stop off in Rissy's old stomping grounds of Roswell, NM.


Visiting Peppermint Park, feeding the peacocks Peter Piper Pizza, and a quick peek at some of the animals of the Spring River Zoo (which is free btw).
Here's a look at Rissy and Rylee getting ready to ride the Carousel and Train, which cost a family friendly 25 cents EACH!





I am always amazed when I go to Roswell, just how many aliens there are. From the street lights to the McDonald's...aliens everywhere! Trips to "Alien-land" would hardly be complete without a stop off at Mama Tucker's for some of their yummy cookies, and of course Rissy is not missing a chance at her childhood fave Peter Piper Pizza! I also discovered the best Mexican Food since Grandma Molina's in McCamey resides at Roswell's very own Popo's Mexican Food Restaurant.





Rounding out the Roswell leg of our adventure was a visit to Donna's Ceramic Studio. Donna Oldfield started ceramics after a class at the Adult Learning Center in 1987. She was not out to start a business, but three locations (all behind her home) and twenty odd years later, Donna's ceramics are true works of art. Whether you want to Christmas shop (which we of course did) or browse the green ware looking for your favorite piece to paint and finish yourself, Donna's has it all. If you're ever in the area, stop by and compliment Donna on the painting and finishing...but don't forget that Roy "makes" everything in there, as he is the one in charge of tending the molds.

Up next we traveled the 70 miles up the mountain to Ruidoso. We stayed at the new Ruidoso Inn Best Western, which was truly a treat! They have an amazing play area, pool, and outdoor gazebos which we all enjoyed. The full breakfast, and large rooms make this a must for people traveling with their kiddos.




Finally we got to go see the horses run at Ruidoso Downs. I think Rissy won about $8, don't worry, we didn't spend it all in one place. (two different drink stops) Roy had gotten us tables under the awning, that made for a much more enjoyable experience than sitting out in the rain. The kids enjoyed it, with Rylee deciding that whichever one pooped at the start, had to be the winner. She cheered for her favorite "Go NUMBA EIGHT!" and then was nearly asleep when we left. We thoroughly recommend using the Casino's valet parking feature, as trying to get up and down those hills to the car with all of Rylee's stuff (and our stuff) would have been near impossible.


It was a great trip, a relaxing vacation, and a rejuvenating time spent with family and close friends. That's all for now from windy Amarillo, until next time....happy Tails to you...

Meet Dexter Deen

This is Dexter Deen. We got him on June 12, 2010. He was 20 lbs then, but quickly developed parvo and lost down to 14 lbs. Thanks to the wonderful vets and vet techs at Small Animal Emergency Clinic here in Amarillo, not to mention Dr. Pearson at Noah's Ark Pet Hospital, Dexter is home with us now. He loves to play with Rylee and try to eat the hoe. We're blessed to have had the means to save this little dog. A 20 lb 8 week old puppy not a "little dog" to you? Well, that's what he is to Rylee, her "yittle dawg." As in "gimme my yittle dawg back." Amazing what reference points are to children, but I guess that's what he would look like if your "big dogs" all weighed over 100lbs. Welcome to the family Dexter Deen. It may be a crazy life, but it's OUR life. Till next time...


btw: Sassee went to a wonderful home in Lubbock. She now sleeps till 10, goes on vacation, stays in hotels, and has been to the lake. Thanks to Denise for taking her, I hope she is a blessing to your family.