And...I'm back! And sore.

Well for a couple weeks at least. Last Thursday evening marked the official end of my fall semester- WOOHOO! Which means I only have one more to go until I graduate in May. Yes, I only have to go to school for one year for my Masters and it's a program specific to social work but explaining it is really for another post. I am also very pleased to say that I earned three As, one A- and a Pass (pass/fail for my internship) this semester. And just to brag a little bit because I am very proud of myself and all my hard work, Catholic's program is no joke. My professors meant business and my days and nights were consumed with school work on a regular basis, hence the lack of posts. But anyway enough about school!

Because, I am actually posting timely, relevant content about something recent in our lives. Shocking, I know. This past weekend, we had lots of snow. I think the total was somewhere around two feet. Now, growing up in PA, I've seen snow like this before. However, apparently no one in the DC region has because this place was crippled. I mean, in their defense this was a LOT of snow. The snow started Friday night around 9pm and lasted until very early Sunday morning. Some of our brave friends came over on Saturday night to play in the snow, watch some football and enjoy hot chocolate. It was so much fun - like being a kid again! Except for the first part of playing in the snow. And by playing in the snow, I mean shoveling the snow. Ouch.

Since discussing grades earlier, I would say the roads are currently at a C, 3 days after the storm has ended. I did not go near a grocery store on Friday, however my car happened to need gas. You would have thought it was the 1970s the way people were lining up for gas. I abandoned the whole idea after trying two gas stations and getting rear-ended by an old man. Luckily, I drive a wonderfully oldish Saturn that takes hits like a champ. :)

Stay tuned for hopefully more timely updates, that is until January 11th when I return to class.

Our house around 1pm on Saturday

I shoveled the driveway because I was afraid Charlie wouldn't be able to get in after work. I am admiring my handy work even though I wasn't half way done. Have I mentioned I'm sore?

Playing in the snow with Jarrod, Shelley, Carolyn, Drew, and Regina!

Shelley and Carolyn having fun

Regina and I burying Drew

Jrod- master of the tackle

Paisley was pumped about the snow. She had to hop like a bunny to get around in it. Pretty funny.

The view from our front door on the morning after.

The deck

Paisley in the backyard

~KC

Run Charlie, Run!

On October 4th, Charlie ran the Army 10 miler here in DC. He ran it with some of our friends from church and trained for a few months beforehand. He and our friend Joy ran the whole race together since they trained together the most. The race started and ended at the Pentagon and wound its way through the National Mall. Our friend Shelley and I went downtown and cheered for everyone on the side lines. I am so proud of Charlie-he finished in 1 hour and 45 mins. He's contemplating running the Cherry Blossom 10 miler in April. I got all caught up in the moment and said I could run a 5K (3.2 miles). I'm not sure what came over me. I'll keep you posted if that works out. :)

The sea of humanity at the finish line

Charlie and Joy at mile 5

The runners after finishing!

Charlie in front of the Pentagon after finishing

~KC

Paisley Caldwell: Bionic Doggy

Many of you know that Paisley had hip replacement surgery last Tuesday. She was diagnosed as having hip dsplysia by our vet and the surgery was recommended for her based on her age (young at 2.5 years old) and her activity level (nice and active!). She went in last Monday night in anticipate of her surgery on Tuesday, and has been doing very well since surgeryl. The doctors were very impressed with her recovery and we got to bring her home on Thursday!

She has to be kept very quiet, so her days now consist mostly of sleeping on the couch and short 5 minute walks outside. Oh and when we're not around, she has to wear the "cone of shame" a.k.a. the Elizabethan collar (this is the actual name for it- "e-collar" for short...I never knew that). She is an excellent patient. She sits quietly while we put her ice pack on her and she takes it like a champ when she has to put the cone on. She's been extra snuggly lately which is fine by me- I love me some puppy love!

She did have to be shaved for the procedure so she is currently has what we like to affectionately call "bald butt". Its so sad, yet so funny at the same time. In addition to "bald butt", she (obviously) has a scar, about 4-5 inches long. It still has the staples in it (those come out Friday). On our little jaunts down the street, it has been amusing to freak people out. This happens because she looks totally normal from one side, but then the other side is all shaven and has the big ol' scar. Our interactions this week have gone something like this:

Bystander: Hi, what a cute....oh my gosh- what HAPPENED to your DOG?!?!

Me: She just had hip surgery.

Bystander: Oh. my. wow.

Thank you bystander for insulting my adorable puppy. She had hip surgery, she didn't catch swine flu for crying out loud. But I feel a little sniffly *cough* *cough*.

Additional updates will come as she heals. Unless you say she looks funny. Then: no updates for you.

~KC

Warning: The last picture shows Paisley's scar. It's nothing bad (I can handle it in person) but if you'd rather not see...just look at the first few and close the window.

This is my usual pose on the couch now.

Must. stick. my. head. into. pillows.

Mom. Leave me alone. I'm napping!

"Chilling" with my ice pack.

The night she came home. I was so happy to see her!!!

A Visit with the Ritters (x2)

This is what blogging has come to now for me. I have to combine two separate events, months apart into one post because I'm so behind. Sigh.

Part One:
Back in July, Kristin, Nate and Laila came down to visit us for the first time! It was so great to have them in our home! Especially since we invade theirs every time we visit my parents, it was nice to reciprocate. :) They arrived on Friday afternoon and we just hung out at our house and had dinner that night. On Saturday we went into DC and walked around the Mall, then came back home to walk/play with the dogs. Later that afternoon we hit up a couple wineries in Loudoun. It was a good thing we only hit two because I was pretty done by the end of the 2nd winery. What can I say- I'm a pure lightweight. After drinking some lovely wine, we headed over to dinner at Magnolias a the Mill, known by locals as "Maggies". Dinner was very good and I felt like a good host because Kristin (who does not enjoy lots of red meat) had a hard time deciding what to get! Mission accomplished!
On Sunday we went to Great Falls National Park to enjoy the views and hike. Afterwards we enjoyed a nice air-conditioned lunch at On the Border. Oh yeah- our air conditioning broke on this particular weekend. Fun, huh?

Isn't Laila a lady? She sits on Kristin's lap all the time like this!

The guys enjoying the summer evening

Down on the Mall

As you can see, it was a little windy at this vineyard

We love wine!

After dinner at "Maggies"

Part Duex:
The 2nd weekend in September, we went camping with Kristin and Nate at French Creek State Park in PA. We had a great time roasting hot dogs and marshmallows and hiking around the park. The dogs had a great time together and we think they have now solidified their friendship. :) We only went for one night so that we could see my parents on Saturday night, but next time we think we'll try for two nights. And hopefully without screaming children at 7am. We wish we lived closer to Kristin and Nate so that we could spend more time with them on a regular basis but it is always a great time when we get together!

Paisley mistakenly thought SHE was going to be sleeping on my pillow and air mattress.
(Yes, I am the princess and the pea)

They loved going swimming!

Charlie getting some Laila loving

We went disc golfing on Saturday afternoon

At it was really buggy. Ugh.

Friends!

Caldwell Family Photo

Best puppy friends

~KC

MIA...

Why, yes. I have been.

Because I've been spending a lot of time here:

and can be frequently seen doing this:

and this:

and am all to often doing this:

And the blog now suffers. This post is for Kristin and Jess. Jess gave me permission to use her words to describe my absence from the blogging world and I promise- I really do have plans to update the rest of our fun adventures from the 2nd half of the summer because, lets face it- they feature some pretty awesome people. Until then....the words of Jess will have to suffice:

Life has been a little hectic lately with going back to school full time, and working part time on top of that (editorial comment- and an internship but who's counting?!). I mean, I'm a pretty awesome person, but this is a little over the top. I also can't think as well as I used to because I'm not surrounded by my amazing apartmentmates anymore, and their presence really stimulated my brain. Paisley does all she can - but she is a canine after all and there are a few language barriers. -Jessica B.

Hopefully more to come later.

~K