Eric's BJJ

Eric is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guru.

The club he started at BYU, which has grown tremendously, flew him out for a conference this past weekend. He was there for a BJJ party on Friday night, and then a woman's self-defense workshop on Saturday. The club now has 40-50 people attending regularly! Everyone wanted to meet Eric and roll with him. He's so talented.

Eric also has started a BJJ club at his new school (Rocky Vista Univ). He has about 8 people who come regulary and also has bought a set of mats to roll on.

Good job Eric.

Livin' and Loving the Journey

Life is so good. Eric and I have each other, we have great family, great friends, the church and heck, even our glasses are in love (above picture). We have a new family member, Ella, and our lives feel so complete. Eric is in school, I have a job and prospects of pharmacy school. The holidays are coming up and time spent with family will be so wonderful. Life is good.

Eric eating his cereal out of the packet. Sometimes it's just too inconvenient to get a bowl...

Etudie avec le chien

Dr. Stevens and his patient

Strike

I work at a King Sooper's Pharmacy as a pharmacy technician.

Lately there has been talk of a strike/lock-out for all unionized workers at King Soopers, City Market and Safeway stores. That's 17,000 employees.

If we go on strike, which is proposed for the holidays, we suspect it will last 3-4months! I'm excited for a break, but not for 3-4 months. I would love a one month break for the holidays and a break from all the mean pharmacy customers. But I do feel so bad, if we do go on strike, for the employees who depend on their wages on a day to day basis, especially with the holidays coming up.

It just feels so Europe-like or blue collar to be going on strike. Come on people, can't we find a better way to deal with this??

Potty Trained!

Our puppy Ella is so potty trained!!!!

Eric had the genius idea to put a bell up next to the front door so that whenever she needs to go outside, she rings the bell and we take her out. Perfect, simple, empowering.

Ella rings the bell every time she needs to go to the bathroom and also when she wants to go out and play.

Yesterday morning we got up at 7am, the usual time, and let Ella out of her kennel. Eric went to the kitchen and I went to the bathroom, but Ella couldn't wait for us to do our stuff or put on clothes. She was ringing her bell like crazy because she had to go OUT! NOW! So I just opened the door and she ran out, down the stairs, and peed in her spot outside. She is so awesome. No more messes inside, she's so smart.

Ella

Ella's first time with a collar and leash

Our new family member...Ella

We are the new parents of a 9 week old Weimaraner. We've been wanting a Weimaraner for awhile now, and Friday night when I was at work I was flipping through the Classifieds and saw an ad for Weimaraners...and on Sunday it was official. She was born 7/14/09 to a hunting family, as you can tell by the antlers in the picture above. They had 3 Weimaraners and 2 other hunting dogs of their own. The dogs were all so beautiful and well behaved. We picked Ella over her brother because Susie, the mom, was so good and friendly.

Eric and I with the dad- Romeo

Ella and her Momma- Susie

Ella's homecoming- notice her kangaroo legs...she's so lanky but beautiful!

Ella's first night

Monday morning cuddle

Big Mess

We've been having repairs/painting done on our condo for the past week, and this is the mess we've been dealing with. It seems like our guy is moving very slowly, although we are very grateful to have him do a quality job. I have no idea when the work will all be done, but it doesn't seem like anytime soon...

This is the new paint. Our painter painted this room with the color we first picked out but it ended up being a little too pink for our taste... so we had to have him redo it. We LOVE the new color.

Second bathroom

Second bathroom painted

Our favorite corner in the condo- beautiful colors!