Sara 2 - Brett 0

Just in case you guys were wondering how our bird hiding is going, I wanted to update you that I found it twice and Brett has yet to find the bird. I have had to help it out both times. After I found it on my desk, I hid it in a box on his nightstand after about 3 weeks I broke down and let him know were it was hidden, thus making it his turn. The day he hid it I was washing dishes and saw the bird (please ignore how dirty that corner is in my kitchen, I promptly scrubbed it after I saw this photo).

I was surprised that I found it so quickly, but I am quite observant if I would say so myself. So I hid it in the spice cabinet, after about a week I couldn't believe he hadn't found it. I couldn't wait so I gave him hints like "Brett can you put this jar of garlic salt I just bought away" but he still didn't figure it out. After showing him where I hid it, he promptly informed me that I had been cheating. I guess there was some unspoken McGinness family rule that you have to hide the bird in plain sight. It's helpful to know the rules before you play the game, but I still think he is making this one up. I argued that both of the places that I hid the bird previously were in plain sight (once you opened the object they were in) but I guess I will try to make it easier (although I don't know if it will help). Right now it is Brett's turn but he has yet to hide the bird, so we will see how the next couple of rounds go. Stay tuned.

Wasp Redux

Sara and I are yard-caretaking novices, seeing as how we haven’t actually had one of our own until this past November. I’m learning how to mow, Sara’s learning how to grow flowers and keep our stucco clean. Because we’re new at this, we don’t pick up on subtle clues that might indicate larger problems. For example, after Maggie’s epic battle with the wasp…

Experienced yard-having person: We have a wasp nest somewhere. We need to take care of this immediately.

Sara and Brett: Huh, must be some sort of freelance wasp, unaffiliated with any larger nest. Good thing Maggie killed it, that should end our wasp problem altogether.

As it turns out, we had nests. Several. Sara was spraying the exterior stucco clean when she sprayed one of the nests. Why this didn’t result in an all-out wasp attack, I have no idea. Perhaps our wasps are complete idiots. They buzzed around for a bit, agitated but not interested in tracking down the culprit. Meanwhile, we walked around the house and managed to spot five of the seven nests (more on the other two later.)

So we stall for a few days before we finally decide we probably shouldn’t wait on the first snowstorm to kill them off. I go to the store and buy wasp killer, along with some Super Glue (to fix a book spine I broke) and some beer (to drink).

Checkout Guy: Looks like you’ve got quite an evening ahead of you.
Me: Yes. I’m going to get drunk, kill some wasps, then glue them together.

We accomplished none of those things that night, but we did go out the next night to attack. I had the cans, while Sara was in charge of holding the backup cans and spotting wasps. The nest-suffocating foam fell off in large clumps and failed to cover the nests, but the long-distance liquid spray did the trick. Also, it was pretty fun to drench the nests. So, case closed. The wasps are no more.

Except we missed two nests.



I was getting ready to take the trash to the curb Monday morning when I got tapped on the head. I turned around and saw a wasp hovering nearby. It went over to land near the heretofore-unseen nests. One was absolutely covered with wasps. They were all just chillin’. Apparently, the one wasp that hit me was just sending the message, "Hey, not interested in stinging you for now, but check out this awesome hive. Also, leave."

Message received. I left the trash there and carefully shut the gate. At least that’s how I think it happened. I might have also made some spastic, instinctive wasp-avoision moves in the process.

So, to thank the wasp that gave me advance warning yesterday, I’m hereby giving advance warning to the nest: we have a new can of wasp killer ready to go. Please vacate your nest before tonight. You don’t have to die, but you can’t stay here.

iFreaking Can't Believe It

This weekend, due to some unforeseen circumstances, Brett let me get an iPhone. Did I mention that he is the best husband ever?

Since we moved back from San Francisco, I have been using my work cell phone with a 415 area code. Its a great cellphone and the company is even gracious enough to let us use it as our only cell phone. Well, I have been itching for an iPhone and some things that happened recently that made me realize I need to get my own phone with a local phone number. I had a T-mobile Sidekick about 3 years ago and loved being able to get on the Internet whenever I wanted and having my e-mail and answers to any questions I had right at my finger tips. I loved be connected. (I am by no means comparing the iPhone to the Sidekick, let's just be honest they aren't even in the same arena- the iPhone definitely kicks the Sidekick's ass)

On Saturday we went into the AT&T store and had one of the first and only positive cell-phone purchasing experiences ever. It was fast and painless and I walked out with one of these babies (charged and activated).

So now I have a 775 area code (if you didn't get the new number and need it just e-mail me) and I am addicted to the apps, checking my mail, twittering and I even learned how to post pictures to my twitters (via twitterrific and twitpic) although I need to figure out why all my pictures are being posted sideways and my tweet doesn't show up with the pictures on twitpic- hints, tricks, explanations, anyone?

Anyways, I decided to go for the white version, although once its in the case no one really sees the color but I thought it was purty. Also, went for the larger version so that I could theoretically get rid of my old iPod and just use my phone, we'll see if I actually do this. I might have too many apps and pictures (did I mention putting my own pictures on the phone and the great camera that has?) that I won't have any room for music.

So, now I will spend the next couple of weeks actually figuring out how to use this thing and all the tricks and neat little functions. Hopefully, I won't be too busy with that to blog :)

*Just so you know I am not planning on giving up my day job to become a hand model. I know what you are thinking "why not?". Well that is sweet of you but I have tiny, pudgy little hands and they look rather child-like and goofy. So, that's that and I just have to come to terms with the fact that I will never be a hand model.

when its hot outside

Just do what Maggie does and drink from the sprinklers.

It's about time

to get back to some real blogging. After birthdays and anniversaries primarily occupied the pages of my blog this month, which then resulted in individuals complaining about what photo I posted about them (I think that is called censorship). Well, guess what? It's MY blog and I will post whatever pictures I want and if you don't like it you can start your own blog cause I know you have plenty of embarassing photos of me from my teenage years.

So moving on. I've always felt slighty guilty that I wasn't one of those people who could do all their dogs grooming. I know a lot of people bathe their dogs on their own, trim their nails and do it with ease and regularity. In my case I would rather leave it up to a professional. Ever since I got Sammy I have always taken him to a groomer, primarily because of the high maintenance of the breed and because I had no idea what I was doing. I have been lucky enough to only have one bad experience that left Sammy with a buzz cut around his whole body and his little pink puppy skin showing through (I have never been so upset).

I know the expense can seem ridiculous to some people but for me the moneys worth it. I like knowing that they are getting taken care of properly. Malteses (Sammy's breed) and Havaneses (Maggie's breed) have hair that continously grows. This means that they are not just getting a bath they are getting a hair cut, which I wouldn't even know where to start. Cutting their nails scares me, if you do it wrong you can really hurt your dog. I have had to bathe the dogs a couple of times out of necessity like when Sammy would poop in his kennel and sleep in it or when Maggie would roll around in the sticky bush in the neighbors yard. The look on their face as I was drenching them with water and doggie shampoo just killed me. They didn't enjoy it and therefore I've never enjoyed it.

I love knowing that someone else is responsible for their grooming and that Sammy and Maggie will never associate me with doing those things to them. I guess its selfish but I also think that it is just better for them and for me. I really couldn't be happier with our groomer, she does an amazing job with all off Maggie's tangles and Sammy's aversion to being anywhere besides our house and Fallon. So for those of you in Reno looking for a great groomer, Animal Attraction located on the south end of town and ask for Kristi.

So, I know there are tons of dog owners out there, what do you do? Do you do all of your dogs grooming yourself or do you take them to a groomer?

This is their before photo taken this morning while I was getting ready to take them to the groomer.


Here is there after photo, just look at those bandanas.


Just because I think they are the most adorable dogs EVER here are a couple of more photos for your viewing pleasure.


At this point I think they are sick of getting their photos taken but I just can't help myself.

Happy Birthday Kenna

Kenna, I can't believe that it is already your birthday. I hope you are having a wonderful day in Las Vegas shopping and lounging. I wish we were together to help you celebrate your birthday properly this evening but I know that Mom & Dad, Jerry & the girls will do a great job.

I can't believe how grown up you are now. You are a teacher, a wife, a step-mother, a wonderful sister and a best friend. I am so proud of everything you have done in 23 years. I love you so much and am so lucky to have you as a sister.

Love,
Sara

Happy Anniversary Joyce & Ken

Here you guys go, here's a better photo that a professional took.


Wow, another marriage that has stood the test of time. 29 years, Congratulations!!!! We hope that you guys have a wonderful time celebrating your anniversary.

You guys are an inspiration to us newlywedders, that we can do it and that although marriages are a lot of work they are very worth it.

We love you both!

Brett & Sara

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

I spent the majority of last week in San Francisco going into the office. Yes, you can be jealous I work for a company in San Francisco (same company as when I lived there) and ever since I moved back to Reno I work remotely from home. I love being able to go back to the office, see co-workers, meet new co-workers and enjoy San Francisco if it is only for a couple of days. So I flew in on Sunday night and went to visit Bridget (although I tell her parents that I am visiting them as well). There is never enough time with Bridget, but I am excited to see her at the end of the month for her 1st birthday party.


Then on Monday night I went to possibly my new favorite restaurant in San Francisco that I have only been to one other time in April with pretty much the same group. The food is always amazing, it boasts French Viatnamese Cuisine, if you are so obliged and some else is paying please make sure to go to Le Colonial. We had an amazing time and it was so good to be able to see some co-workers from our Chicago office, I am just bummed we didn't get a group photo.


Tuesday evening was the big night, my co-worker Andy (who I love and am so lucky that he came to work with us because then we got to meet and know each other) loves taking me to the Castro and showing me a good time, and its always a good time.


First we went to dinner just the two of us at Chow, I love finding new places to eat and know that as many times as I come to San Francicso I could try a new place everytime and never be disappointed or run out of places to eat (totally miss the food the most about moving away). Then we went on to the Midnight Sun, where I learned why drinking in the Castro is the way to go. My mandarin and cran was really 99.9% vodka with the remaining .1% being ice and cranberry. Let's just say one of those was enough. AT first it was just Andy and me, then our other wonderful co-worker Eric showed up, then our co-worker (from the Chicago office) Colleen joined us. This is where the evening gets a little crazy.

Next we headed to the The Mint for some karaoke, I think I have only sang karaoke one other time after freshman year of college on a cruise ship and I faintly remember it being RESPECT.


For some reason though tonight called for an all out karaoke extravaganza and I had the best partner in crime. Colleen was the Sonny to my Cher, the Captain to my Tenille, or vice versa, you know what I am saying.

We started out the night with Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper and then followed up later on with Summer Nights by Olivia Newton John. You guys should consider yourselves lucky that you are just seeing pictures and not having to hear us sing. Either it was the amounts of alcohol or us not paying attention but we totally didn't realize that there was a boy and a girl part on Summer Nights (duh) so I sang John Travolta's part and Colleen sang Olivias- it worked. I had a blast, stayed out way longer than I ever wanted to on a work night but I survived. All in all it reminded me how lucky I am in my job and how wonderful my co-workers are AND that I wouldn't trade any of that.

SARA! My Leinenkugel!

Sara and I went downtown for dinner Thursday night. We hit up Wild River Grille and sat out on the patio. Sara got a glass of Riesling, and I decided to try Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat.



If Post Cereal made a beer, this would be it. I took one sip and almost laughed. Sara thought at first that I didn’t like the beer and was cursing my fate, but I passed it over to her. “I know what it tastes like, but I’m not going to tell you. Tell me if you think the same thing.”
She took a sip. “Wow, it’s Fruity Pebbles beer.”
Then dinner turned weird. She seemed to enjoy her Riesling and the pear bruschetta, but kept eyeing my beer. She excused herself from the table and came back dressed as a rapper costume.
“Hey babe,” I told her, “Instead of telling me how you love Leinenkugel in a major way, why don’t you just order your own?”
She made a desperate swipe at the beer and then ran off around the corner. Suddenly, she showed back up in a robot costume.
“Seriously, the waiter is right over there, Sara. We can get you a beer if you want one.”
Next thing I knew, she was back as Santa Claus.
“Okay, this one doesn’t even make sense. I thought the cardboard robot outfit was a bit much, but it’s the middle of August. Here, take the beer.”
She chugged the beer, wiped off her fake beard, and ran away again. Moments later, she was back out of costume, feigning ignorance.
True story.

Happy Anniversary Mike & Dee

Can you believe that 39 years ago you guys would have been saying goodnight to all of your guests and starting your lives as Mr. & Mrs. McGinness? Tonight, you are running around chasing your first grandson as your youngest child is at her 10 year high school reunion. Who would've thought?

I can't believe that it has been 39 years, we can only hope that we have as wonderful of a marriage and have as much fun as you guys have had. Thank you for being an inspiration to us.

Love,
Brett & Sara

Every morning when I wake up....

I realize just how lucky I am. I have the most wonderful husband in the entire world. Okay, okay I know that there are plenty of other married women who are saying right now, "Whatever, I have the most wonderful husband" and I am sure you do BUT for all intended purposes of this blog Brett is the most wonderful husband in the entire world (for me, at least).

Now you are asking, what makes him the most wonderful husband in the entire world?

Well, let me explain:

- During our wedding vows he promised to always take Sammy out for his morning walks so that I could stay in bed longer.

- He also promised to always do the dishes, cause he knows how much I hate them.

- He puts up with my whiny moods and my bitching and my crying....well, let's just say that sometimes I can be a little unpleasant to be around (I don't want to hear anything from my sisters in the comments).

- He tells my I'm pretty and I'm sexy when I feel absolutely disgusting and can't find a single thing to wear.

PLUS he sings to me on instant messenger. Here is a typical im conversation from about a week ago.

me: I have so many things I need to do
brett: i wanna love you
brett: and treat you right
brett: i wanna love you
brett: every day and every night
brett: we'll be together with a roof right over our heads
brett: we'll share the shelter
brett: of my single bed
brett: we'll share the same room
brett: oh jah provides the bread
brett: is this love is this love is this love is this love that i'm feeling?

If you didn't recognize it, that's Bob Marley's "Is this Love". There is nothing like being serenaded on im.

There are a million other reasons why he is the best husband in the entire world and well, I would like to keep them to myself plus I am not that kind of blog (my parents read this!) There isn't a day that goes by that I am not reminded how lucky I am to have found you and to be married to you. You really do make me happy and when I am not with you I am lost. Thank you for everything and I love that last night you decided we should have a date night with ice cream and walk around downtown so that I could take pictures and then coming home and staying up late in hopes of watching Michael Phelps win another gold (although we fell asleep).

I love you!!!!

Hot August Nights

Not only am I lucky enough to have two wonderful sisters but I am fortunate that their significant others are equally as wonderful if not more so. This last weekend, Kenna and Jerry came up to Reno to visit us Renoites. It was so fun to have all six of us in one place and truly it is great how we all get along. While they were here Reno was fully engulfed by Hot August Nights which is a week long celebration of old cars and other stuff but pretty much old cars. Since Kenna and Jerry didn't get here until late on Friday the real fun started on Saturday morning.

Jennifer came and joined Kenna, Jerry, Brett and I for an early lunch at a wing Place down the street from our house. We hadn't been there before but the boys were very excited at the prospect of endless hot wings for lunch.


Next we stopped by a get together at Buckbean Brewery put on by our friend Marcus. We caught up with some old friends and tasted beer, what a great combination. In the picture from left to right is Jennifer and Travis, Kenna and Jerry then me and Brett if you couldn't tell from the name tags.


Next we decided to head downtown to to check out a construction project that is near and dear to Brett. After that we headed down to the River Walk and that is when Travis and I spotted this bike. The owner of this bike had decked it out with every technological gadget you could think of, he had a digital camera strapped to the front and an mp3 player actually I don't think I saw a GPS. Anyways, raddest bike I have ever seen (yah, I said raddest).


Since we were so close to downtown we decided to go look at the cars. I loved it cause these cool looking cars were great photography subjects and the boys liked it because well it was cars. I am not quite sure how Jennifer and Kenna entertained themselves.


The don't call it Hot August Nights for nothing, after walking around downtown for about an hour or so we decided to head and see a movie and cool off. We went and saw Pineapple Express which was nothing I expected it to be but then again I hadn't heard much about it all. After seeing the movie it was probably a good thing I had no idea what the movie was about because I probably would have tried to veto it for another movie. Anyways it was a very interesting movie and it was....well maybe you should check it out for yourself and let me know what you think.

After that we had a quiet dinner and then just watched some Olympics. Sunday morning was brunch at Jennifer and Travis' favorite place, Legends (I am sure they are responsible for keeping that place open). Then after brunch I had to head to the airport to go to San Francisco to see Bridget (oh and Kara and Nathan as well) and I was also there to work (I'll post on the fun I had there shortly). It was a great weekend and I still can't get over how lucky we are that we are all so close and enjoy each other's company as much as we do. Now if we can just get Kenna and Jerry (and the girls, of course) to move to Reno we could see them as much as we want.

I've been tagged

I am in San Francisco visiting the office, I can't believe that it has already been 9 months since we moved from San Francisco to Reno. Thankfully I still have my wonderful job that draws me back every couple of months. So, I am sitting in my hotel room after an amazing meal and evening with some great co-workers and friends and I can't fall asleep yet. What else is there to do but blog? I have been trying to finish this since I was tagged by fellow blogger, Steph from Those Corwins on Friday. I have never been tagged before (I'm such a novice) and seriously I am very flattered but now I have to figure out what I am going to write.

So here are the rules of this tag....

• Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.


• Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.


• Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

So here it goes:

1. I have a birthmark on my right buttcheek and when discussing what I was going to write for my 7 facts Brett mentioned that he could take a picture of my birthmark for me so that I have a picture to post on the blog. "Umm, that's okay honey, no one wants to see my ass- especially not the internets" his reply "well I can think of someone who wants to see your ass."


2. For some reason it really bothers me when Brett accidentally uses my bath towel to dry with after his shower. At that point the towel needs to be washed again before I can use it, I really love my husband but something about him using my bath towel is all sorts of wrong.


3. When showering if I don't go through the same steps everytime (i.e. wash hair, wash face, rinse hair, put in conditioner- you get the picture) then, without a doubt, I end up with face wash in my hair. Don't know why this is...I am the same way with makeup, if I don't follow the steps in order then I end up with one eye that didn't get eyeliner.


4. I want to have children (soonish) but I worry that I can't get pregnant, that there might be something wrong with the baby or something will happen, that I can't handle child birth and that I might be a terrible mother. All these things scare me so much that I wonder if I will ever have kids.


5. I am a pack rat, I don't throw anything away, I actually have my kindergarten diploma, my first stuffed animal, and every ticket stub and letter that Brett has ever written me in our eight year relationship. I am always surprised when cleaning out my closets at what I keep but yet never throw away.


6. My husband and I long distance dated (between Reno and San Francisco) for almost 5 years. After we accomplished that feat we decided that marriage was going to be easy and if we could make it through that we could make it through anything. So far, the marriage is working.


7. I still have no idea what I want to be when I grow up.

Now, I have to tag 7 blogs to participate..........

1. My sister Jennifer, cause it might actually cause her to blog for the first time since March


2. My sister Kenna, cause she also needs some motivation to blog as well


3. Bridget, although your mom is going to have to type for you.


4. Diana from the Welmerinks


5. Adam from the Welmerinks, even though the share the blog they can both participate


6. Colleen Sherman, who has a cute dog Rocco and is also a fan of Nikon Cameras


7. Sonya, my old roomie

Have fun guys and I can't wait to see what you post.

Jennie and Reggie

Jennie (my sister) and her french bulldog, Reggie are like peas and carrots. Those two have been through a lot and Reggie helped Jennie through some hard times and in turn she has done everything she can for Reggie. A couple of days ago, right after I got my new camera, we went to the park so I could take some shots for my exposaroonie contest and also so I could play around with the new camera. Here are some pictures of the two of them at the park.







Don't they look like naturals in front of the camera? Well, it turns out that this isn't their first time "modeling" together. They were photographed for the August issue of RLife Magazine, which is a magazine all about Reno. They did a big piece on pets and Jennie and Reggie had a super cute photo on the contents page and then there is another picture of Reggie in the article. They should have the August issue up on the their website soon, but for now you will have to do with my scanned in version.



Hopefully all this fame won't go to Reggie's head.

You didn't expect me

to not post a bunch of pictures that I just took with the new camera now did you? That's what I thought. Don't worry there will be more pictures, believe me. The great thing is that last night I met up with my friend Kristie, who also has a D80, and went through some of the basics and even into more advanced things that I have most likely already forgotten. She was patient with me and helped me to be able to take my camera off auto- it was quite a liberating feeling. THANK YOU SO MUCH KRISTIE!!!!

So here is what I have taken in the last 24 hours and just so you know all of these pictures are straight out of the camera or as the cool kids say SOOC. No photoshop necessary that is how rad this new camera is.


My majestic Sammy always sitting in the middle of the house to keep an eye on everything that is going on.



Our little Maggie, being a goofball and super curious.



This is a beautiful flower from our backyard although it is part of the most hideous plant ever that both Brett and I would get rid of if it was our house. Thankfully this flower makes up for the rest of the plant.



This is an condo building downtown, I love the colors of this building and the clouds yesterday were just breathtaking.



My favorite area downtown....I love this shot and I am so glad that I can finally take night shots cause I get how to do it.



This is a picture of my sister, we met up yesterday and she had her dog, Reggie, with her so we stopped at the park so that Reggie could play around. Reggie just loves my sister and vice versa so I was snapping away with the new camera and I got this shot. I love how it turned out and it really shows the love and joy that Reggie brings into my sister's life. So...I am using this one for my exposaroonie contest this week. The theme is emotions. So go on and vote for your favorite and really participate, it is so much fun and every week it challenges you to go photograph something new and I would like to think that it is helping me be a better photographer (if I can even call myself that).

I'm so excited

So I am a very, very, very lucky girl who has amazing parents. Yesterday, my parents gave me a new camera, not just any camera, one that I have been drooling over and researching about for months now, a Nikon D80. My first DSLR!!! Although I have absolutely no clue what I am doing with it and I know that I have a bagillion things to learn but I am so excited. Again, Thank you guys so much for having so much faith in me and supporting me 100%. I also want to thank my in-laws for the gift certificate for my birthday which helped purchase this camera as well and my hubby and my pups for letting me take hundreds of pictures of you over the last 24 hours.



See what a dork I am....my left eye is scrunched so hard so I can see through the viewfinder which just totally makes me look weird. It isn't the best picture and maybe even a little blurry but I wanted to show you my new camera. Don't worry I am going to be taking classes and practicing and hopefully I can post better pictures, soon! Again, I am so lucky to have such supportive parents and I could never thank them enough for everything that they do for me. I love you guys so much!!!

Puppy Play Date

This weekend we invited our friends Steve and Dawn over for dinner. We told them to also bring their pups, Sherman and Remy. You will remember little Remy from this post. It's always nice to get the pups socialized and a good play with other dogs usually results in very tired pups who not only sleep through the night (I am talking about you, Maggie) they will also sleep in a little later the next morning (again I am talking about you, Maggie). So the dogs got to play with each other and us adults got to catch up, eat dinner on the patio, play cranium and well just have a great evening with great friends.

Maggie and Remy sizing each other up.


This is probably my favorite because of how Maggie looks suspended in the air ready to attack.


A very tired Remy. Look at that tongue!


This is what Sammy did all night, he would rather sit on Brett's lap than play with the dogs. He's spoiled and he knows it.


It was a great night and I am glad that the dogs were able to spend sometime together and that us adults were able to spend some time together not worrying if the dogs we had left at home were miserable or destroying the house. Oh the life of dog parents.

Happy Anniversary Sei's

Happy Anniversary Shannon and Jamie. Can you believe that it was 5 years ago that you guys were getting married!?! Times flies by when you are having fun. I am sure having Aidan makes it seem like ages ago you guys got married.

Congratulations and we hope you have a wonderful time celebrating your anniversary and we can only hope to have as much love, compassion and joys in our marriage that you both have had. Look at the great family you guys have built in 5 years.

p.s. we stole the two bottom photos from Shannon's flickr page, thanks for letting us steal the absolutely wonderful pictures.

Already the first

Wow, I can't believe July is gone. It feels like July just blew by but at the same time it seems so long ago that I was on vacation and getting ready to have our first houseguests of the month show up. It could all be attributed to the fact that July was one of the busiest months we have had all year (so far). We started off the month with a surprise birthday party, visitors from Pacifica, then more visitors from the bay area the next weekend, then we jetted off to Seattle to visit these guys, then came back and had a family birthday party, and went to Symphony on the Green. In July we had over mutilple dinner guests, showed off our new patio set, had more nights in the week that we were busy than nights that we sat on the couch doing nothing and worked on the yard until we were sunburned and our muscles hurt.

Sammy doing what he does best, but only if its padded and comfortable.

July was also a good month for the blog, we really got into a posting stride this month, posting 31 times in July, by far the most we have ever posted in a month. It's nice to have something that we both enjoy pouring our creative energies into and it is only going to get better- I promise. Let us know what you think about the new layout (it is new just not drastically different, I promise), the new header and even the fact that we commited to a url http://www.mcginnessclan.com/. All in all it was a great month.

Crazy Maggie- she is comfortable anywhere and sleeps in the strangest positions.

For August though, we are going to relax and enjoy the last month of summer and be more lazy like Maggie and Sammy. We have decided not to cram our weekends full and maybe not travel anywhere (well, I am going to San Francisco and visiting the office but that is different). August will be a month of firsts and challenges, we have decided to actually put ourselves on a budget and see how much debt we can pay off and how much we can save to finally buy a home. We have always been big talkers about budgeting but usually fall short of our aspirations within days. Thats pretty much how we feel about getting into shape, we have big aspirations but quickly find some reason not to go the gym. So,we are also going to attempt to hit the gym at least 5 times a week and start eating healthier and eating more at home. Wish us luck and if you have any suggestions on how to be successful or keep it up, we would love to hear it. Cause you know we are going to need it!

So we must enjoy what is left of summer because before we know it summer will be gone and I will be fighting off the urge to slit my wrists if it does not stop snowing.