Sad Sanos

Today has been an emotionally trying one in our little Sano world. We had to say goodbye to our puppy children, the fine gentleman, Baxter and Niles. We held onto them for as long as we could after moving back to Utah, but our timeline for future plans hasn't matched up with our hopes and our situation.
Keith and I left the human kids in the capable hands of Aunt Katie while we drove them down to the Humane Society of Utah. While it's not ideal to take them to a shelter, we tried listing them privately and only weirdos replied. The Humane Society requires pages of paperwork asking about medical history, behavior, food and toy preferences, what kind of people and dogs they like, how they do with children, etc.
The pups were perfect for the ride down, alternating between my lap and Keith's, almost giving us equal attention so we could pet them and give them itchy-scratchies one last time. Niles kept looking over his shoulder and starting at me, doing his usual look into my soul eyes. Even though I was bawling like a baby, when we arrived I really wanted to go in with Keith so we could finish what we started together. The clerk was very kind and treated us well, being gentle and kind as she took the dogs from us.
We hope someone finds them to give them the home they really deserve. As Keith pointed out this morning, we really are their worst case scenario.
End of an era. Heartsick. 5 years, 3 states and lots of fun together. I'm grateful for my little companions, the source of much joy and laughter.

Let's go fly.

It was warm. It was sunny. It was windy. It was the last day of Keith's break.
The perfect evening for flying a kite and playing a little soccer. Remi got a Red Baron kite for his birthday, a clever little reference to one of his favorite cartoon characters, Snoopy.
Marsh was feeling particularly defensive of his ball, making it extremely difficult to kick it around.
Remi was very goofy and gave me this grimace smile in about 20 different pictures.
Now that's love.
The wind made him bold enough to screech to his heart's content.
Once Marshall relinquished control of the ball, the boys started playing one of their favorite games: Baa Bah Hoop (basketball.)
Finally, they get the whole soccer concept and run off into the sunset.
Cool dude wanted shades to enjoy the sunset.
During all of these shananigans, Keith got the kite assembled and airborne.
A stunning backdrop for some fun family time.

A little birthday shindig

My boys, all three of them, are destined to a life filled with joint birthday parties.
They seem to be okay with it for now.
Marshall turned two this past weekend. Remi turns four on Saturday. And old Keith turns older two days after that :)
We had a little family party to celebrate.

It started with some pie. Well, five varieties to be exact. Also, a huge mess in the kitchen materialized, though I'm not sure how.
Apple Pie
No Bake Peanut Butter Pie
Coconut Cream
Buttermilk
Sweet Potato


Then I threw in Remi and Marshall's favorite treat, topiary form. Inspiration found here.

I got the most genuine smile for totally delivering on Remi's one wish for his birthday: in his words an, "elevator crossing gate." Which in actuality is a Thomas the Tank engine crossing gate with lights and sounds.
And holy cow, Marshall got a pony.

It was a pretty awesome day.

Obviously awful...

...at blogging, among other things.

Since my last post, here are a couple of highlight and lowlights from the last couple of weeks:

They played in the snow. They, not me. Let's face it, I'm not as hearty as previously thought. I wanted to stay warm and dry!

We have made several trips to "the farm" and we hope to get the ball rolling soon on our country home.

Remi has taken up coloring. Something he has never really been interested in doing until now. He loves to draw elevators and write his name. He loves for us to draw trains. Actually, a Remi train, which apparently looks a lot like the Frontrunner, can go both "front ways and back ways, has 3 levels, and is red and white and bule (yes, bule.)"

My sister, mom and I drove to Arizona for the funeral of a family member. I took the camera, but the occasion didn't really call for a lot of photos. I did catch this lovely on the drive.

While in AZ, this is one of the only pictures I snapped, a candid moment with a rare grouping of great people.

And there was Mom off taking pictures is her uniform. White v-neck.

Marshall spent a lot of time eating. Breakfast almost always consists of cottage cheese and apple juice. Then he asks for seconds. Remi, on the other hand, starts off each and every morning saying, "me no want anyfing. My tummy not hungry."

We met up with cousin Bridget and Bomb-Bomb to play at the park. That boy knows something and he's not talking!

Woke up earlier than usual one morning to find this lovely scene outside my window.

Scoot down the hill, never roll.