my puppy...

I wasn't blogging at the time of the new addition to our family. 

So I thought I would share the story of Rufus McFly!

(the day we picked him up)

A little history: 

I have always wanted a dog. Growing up I wouldn't leave my parents 

alone about wanting a dog. 

Every year at Christmas, they would get me a stuffed animal dog. 

Which was wonderful, but not exactly what I wanted.

{I always dreamt of waking up on Christmas morning to a golden retriever in my stocking}

Matty's family got a dog when he was just in his twenties. 

He is a dog person through and through. 

How it happened: 

We had been talking about dogs for over a year. 

Our discussions revolved around what breed would we get, puppy vs older dog etc.

Obviously I fought for a golden, Matty wanted a husky. 

We started looking at other breeds, seriously considering Bernese Mountain dogs. 

We started looking at breeder websites, and adoption websites. 

We watched Ceasar Milan on Saturday mornings just to get our dog fill. 

{yes, we are nerds}

I forget who sent the email first - but we started looking at some pictures of puppies on an adoption website (petfinder.ca)

They were adorable, I wish I had a picture. 

We started seriously considering it, and thought what is the harm in applying?!

So we did. 

Three days later we brought Mr. Rufus McFly home with us!

About Rufus McFly

He was (around) 8 weeks when we brought him home. 

He was clumsy and couldn't make it up the stairs because he was too small!

He weighed about 10lbs and was so soft. 

He is a sheppard, lab, collie cross. 

And he is just the sweetest dog. 

We think he is just over a year now.

He weighs about 70lbs. 

He is a mixture between being super hyper (especially when we go somewhere new or we have company - he LOVES meeting people and dogs) and a suck (usually after he has had lots of exercise and is rather tired)

He has been a brilliant addition to our family. 

xo.a

Easter Weekend.

I am always a fan of holiday weekends. 

Especially when they involve lots of family time!

This past weekend was full of family, and I loved every minute of it. 

Below are some pictures from my family's Saturday in the park. 

We were able to walk around the dog park and then visit the high park zoo.

After our afternoon in the park, we had BBQ on our deck!

{this weather has been ridiculously amazing}

It was fantastic spending time with everyone and seeing how much 

Madeline has changed in the past month!!

Sadly - in the Rob Ford era, the funding for the High Park Zoo has been pulled. 

(current it is a free zoo, with free parking - which is fantastic for families)

It is set to close June 1st. There are many efforts to try to keep this free zoo open. 

Check out here for more details - it is such a great place for families to go. 

I hope something can be done to save it! 

1 - madeline, her tongue trick and her mommy / 2 - beauty babe in a hat / 

3 - madeline and her handsome daddy / 4 - men with dogs / 

5 - me and my mamma / 6 - save the high park zoo!

It's a{nother} four day week for me!

oh - and I finally read the Hunger Games today. 

Gotta go see the movie soon!

xo.a

5 things to be {very} happy about

1. This really delicious breakfast sandwich (pictured above). 

A lovely treat for a Thursday/Friday. 

2. It is a week of 3 days on (working) and 3 days off. It has been a great week with very positive work wise and at home. (i.e. got some new work projects, went to a conference, did our taxes, made some delicious meals, matty's hockey team went onto the next round in the playoffs, the blue jays start their season, sens clenched a playoff spot, Matty and I have been running and there has been LOTS of sun!)

3. It is mini egg season, enough said. 

4. It is a Fam Jam weekend! Matty and I are hosting my fam on Saturday for some fun in the park and BBQ dinner. Sunday we are headed to Matt's for some delicious turkey and family visiting. Family time makes me HAPPY.

5. Rick Mercer announced the winners of the Spread The Net contest. My younger brother's school (PCVS) raised the most amount of money! Sadly, the school is set to close at the end of the school year. I am so proud of the students for accomplishing what they did and really going out with a BANG on National television! Check out Rick Mercer's rant: 

xo.a

easter.

(treats i made and hid for people)

its easter weekend. 

and to me that means family time. 

this year is a little different. 

my brothers and i usually have a crazy easter egg hunt.

yes, even in our 30s. 

since none of us have kids yet, we kept the tradition alive. 

mom would hide chocolate eggs and we would find them.

it was usually fast, physical and oh so much fun. 

(at the end we divvied up the eggs so everyone has equal chocolates)

this year everyone is very busy. 

one brother is working. the other brother is with the other side of his family. 

so its my mom and i for a couple days. 

lots of mother/daughter bonding.

until we join matt and his family for a nice joint family dinner. 

whatever you are doing this weekend, 

whether its a holiday or not. 

i hope you enjoy. 

xo.a