Ada's first Visit with Santa Clause

Here is our little angel with Santa! He is a great looking Santa, isn't he? (He'd better be for how much we had to pay for a picture, geesh!)

She didn't even cry. We thought she would for sure. She just looks shell shocked. She did smile though - after the camera flashed!


And as an added bonus here is a picture of Ada and Daddy looking for a Christmas Tree.

The Grotto, Portland Oregon

It was our 4 year anniversary this last Friday so we ditched the kid with Grandma and Grandpa and went out on our own little adventure! Well, not really an adventure but new for us!

First we went to dinner at Gustav's, a German restaurant in Clackamas, Oregon. They have great beer and Swiss Cheese fondue. Yum! We got lucky. Because of the yucky weather everyone stayed home so there was no waiting for a table.

After dinner we went up to the Grotto on Sandy Blvd. We got there a little early so we waited outside in the freezing weather. We were too lazy to walk back to the car. Luckily it wasn't raining or windy, just cold. Usually there are 5 choral performances at the Grotto everyday but due to the weather the choirs cancelled so we didn't get to see a show. Instead we wandered the grounds and looked at all the lights and listened to the recorded stories.

I'd never been to the Grotto before though I should have been long ago. I was raised Catholic so I'm not sure why I never went. It's a beautiful park area with lots of trees and landscaping.
There is a huge rock cliff with a cave carved out of it.

The chapel was dressed up with pretty lights and an organist was playing inside where it was warm and toasty. In the summer's they hold Mass outside in the courtyard. How fun would that be?! They even had a petting zoo with 3 little warm rabbits, many goats, a lama, a donkey and a miniature horse. As soon as I bought the cone of grain to feed the animals the goats were right up with me, even jumping up on me. The lama said "feed me, feed me, feed me, Dont pet me!, feed me...." They were awful cute though! Too bad I didn't take pictures, huh?

We wandered through the grounds until we found our way to the coffee shop to warm up a bit.

After leaving the Grotto we stopped at Home Depot to look at formica chips (romantic, isn't it?) and then at Coldstone for some yummy ice cream (my favorite).

Then it was back home to the baby and our daily lives. Hey, atleast we got out for one day, right?

New! Mod Mom Shops

I found this great new website through Etsy that I wanted to tell you all about. It's called Mod Mom Shops and it's all about shops, blogs and products that mom's need (or just want). There is a plethura of information here! Great shops and fun blogs. Go check them out! http://www.ModMomShops.com

Fabulous internet if you live in Molalla, OR

We live out in the sticks - Molalla, Oregon. And we have only one option for our phone, internet and cable. That would be from Molalla Communications. However, MC is not a company with their patrons best interests at heart. Their best interest is their bottom line and they have terrible communication skills to boot. I have been searching for an alternative provider to no avail but, alas, I have found one.

I went searching for a new cell phone this month as my current plan is expiringand thought I'd look into the whole cellular internet movement, hoping it would yield as an option.

I started with AT&T and found they offer an air card, cell phone with internet or tethering to your computer through your cell phone. I never knew I had so many options! Turns out Sprint offers all these plans too. Verizon and T-Mobile offer some, but not all, of these options.

I decided to go with the tethering option which is offered by all of these cellular companies. I am currently with Sprint so I first looked into their plans. They offer a tethering plan with 450 talking minutes, unlimited data and unlimited texting all for the low price of $69.99 a month. I would have to buy a PDA phone to accomodate this plan which would run me $80.00 and up, out of pocket.

After reviewing the other cellular companies Sprint turned out to be the best option for me. I got my new phone for $100.00 after rebate (a fancy new Blackberry Curve in red) and I had instant internet! Whoo-hoo! This is very cool.

After a little downloading for the program I was able to un-hook my Molalla Communications line and run solely off of my cell phone. Turns out my cellular connection is faster than Molalla Communications. With my new plan I am saving at least $35.00 a month on phone/internet, I'm working with a company that has great customer service skills and I get to boycott Molalla Communications. What better way to celebrate the holidays!

To all of the Molalla area residents who wish to boycott Molalla Communications check out Sprint and their many cellular internet options!

I've been featured in an Etsy Treasury

Here is the link to the treasury Etsy Treasury. It expires on Wednesday so be sure to check it out before then!

The treasury was created by simplysuzula. Check out her shop too!

Up Close and Personnal

I have a new blank card addition to Funny Ernie. I love this one. I call it "Up Close and Personnal". To purchase this card visit my Etsy shop.

Custom Portrait of Coty

Here is my latest custom portrait. This is Coty, a Shar-pei who is getting up there in years. The daughter in law of Coty's owner commissioned him for a christmas present. Here is Coty's picture Doesn't he make you smile?

And here is Coty's portrait

For a custom portrait of your dog visit my Etsy shop.

New Custom Portrait of Bernese Mountain Dog

I completed my third custom portrait yesterday. It's of a Bernese Mountain Puppy. Isn't she cute? The buyer wanted me to make her eye blue which inspired me to do a watercolor instead of a line drawing and she loved it! So, here she is!


If you'd like your own custom portrait of your dog you can purchase one here. I also offer simple line drawing portraits here.

Custom Portrait of your Dog

I had someone contact me about doing a custom portrait of their dogs. Why didn't I think of that? Here are the completed drawings though I don't have pics of her dog to put up. I'll be posting another custom portrait soon along with the pic of the dog so be sure to check back. If you're interested in commissioning a custom portrait here is the link.

December Pet Goodie Box

December's box went on sale yesterday and there are only 11 left! This is a fun box this month with lots of great stocking stuffers for your cat and/or dog and for the pet lover in your life too! Get one before they're gone!