RIP Windy Robinson

My parent's cocker spaniel had to be put to sleep today. Thirteen years ago little Windy was roaming around the golf course homeless and my dad took her home after no one claimed her.

Todd and I loved Windy. We would have her up to Santa Barbara all the time.

Windy beat the odds several times including attacks by a coyote, a rottweiler, raccoons, bee stings, and even was dog-napped one Christmas.

Despite losing her hearing a couple years ago, Windy remained pretty darn spry. She loved golf cart rides and chasing seagulls on the beach. She even was the dog of the week in Santa Barbara - http://www.edhat.com/site/tidbit.cfm?id=1601 .

We will miss her. Here are a few of my favorite shots of Windy:

Samantha Loves Dancing Grandma and Grandpa

My Gym

The Casa

Here are some photo's of the house that show what's new:

New Side Gate
New French Doors
New TubNew Heating

New area above fireplace for recessed flat screen and Todd starting a decorative finish on the fireplace
New Kitchen Door
New Skylights in Kitchen

Rob and crew building new deck

New Deck (needs to be sealed still)

Lolly checking out the new deck

Samantha waving at the new house

As soon as insulation/drywall happen, we can really get moving on the interior. Stay tuned!

9 months old

Samantha had her 9 month check-up and here are her most recent stats:

weight - 18 lbs (45%)

height - 28 inches (50%)

Here are a couple of videos:

I introduced Samantha to the cheerleader doll. She likes to wave at her and give her kisses.

Lollipop and Samantha like to play tug-of-war with the birdie.

Eating Out

Since Samantha was born we have gone through a variety of restaurant experiences. In the beginning, Todd and I would frequent restaurants all the time and even late at night because she would just sleep in our arms or in her carrier. Then we went through a stage where it was impossible to take her out to eat because sitting still was out of the question and she was not yet eating solid foods so keeping her occupied was tricky.
Fast forward to the last couple months and we are back out on the town. She loves to sample whatever Todd and I are eating intermixed with the pile of cheerios we put in front of her to keep her busy. Some of her other favorite things at restaurants are menus, straws, lemons, bread, pickles (this was a recent discovery at Brophy Brothers this weekend), cucumbers and waving to all the people around her.

I have a feeling that once she starts walking we will be back to avoiding restaurants. So until then, we apologize to all the restaurant staff for the mess we leave underneath the table and in the high chair. We do try and clean up as much as possible and make sure to leave a better tip :)

Beach Date

Samantha and Connor enjoyed a beautiful day at Butterfly Beach.


First he loves her

Then he leaves her

What a heart breaker!