On a lighter note . . .

So, it has come to my attention that my pet peeves blog was a bit harsh. It wasn't intended, I guess I may have been a bit grumpy that night, but nothing serious. I did want to add one thing though and then I will drop it. I hate the whole myth that you can drink urine because it is sterile. Yes, in a healthy individual urine is sterile, so is blood, spinal fluid, etc. Most if not all of the food you eat is not sterile, not even close. Your body excretes urine to remove toxins and byproducts from your body. It would not be a good choice to reingest those simply because they are sterile! Okay, enough about that . . .
I accomplished my goal and got Lowell to go camping! It was more of an ordeal than expected, but it did turn out okay. First of all it took us a long time to gather all of the things we needed and finally get up there. We didn't have the tent set up until past 7. So my idea of hiking Stewart Falls was out, but we did find a little stream close to our camp (we were at Granite Flats up American Fork Canyon) that the boys loved because, of course, they could throw rocks into the water. We then had dinner and the boys were thrilled with the fire, they are the biggest pyros, seriously. They did better than expected staying at our camp, we were a little way off from anyone and had a big rock to climb so it was an ideal spot. They found all manner of bugs and enjoyed chasing them all over. They didn't eat very well, but they rarely do at dinner and didn't even devour their s'mores (which I of course did). Lowell wasn't feeling great so he didn't either (party poopers!). So we played around the fire a little longer, the boys with their little lanterns and then turned in. Well, we wanted to turn in but the munchkins stayed up bouncing of the walls of the tent until past midnight. Or so I was told, apparently I fell asleep before then (oops!). Finally asleep Lowell then got sick and was throwing up into the pit toilets, talk about gross, poor Lowell. Morning came and the boys and I slept past 8, pretty good for camping. By then Lowell was more than ready to go home, so a few burnt pancakes later we were on our way. Surprisingly Lowell said he did have a good time and agreed to do it again. Hooray! The next time we will a) get their earlier so we can go hiking so the boys are exhausted and will sleep, b) bring a hand pump for the air mattress since whoever borrowed it last did not return the cords to the air pump resulting in us (gasp!) sleeping on the ground and c) not serve hot dogs, Lowell has sworn off of them for a while.
That night we went swimming and though the boys were freezing (I don't know why, it was a warm day and the pool was heated) we did have a good time. They start swim lessons Monday, so wish us luck! Oh and Lowell used his bonus money to buy a Wii, so fun times to come. That is all about that . . .

I just wanted to throw in a couple of shots of our oh so cute dogs and wish them happy birthdays. Max turned 5 this past week and is now a grown man! Maddy will be 4 in a couple of weeks and Oscar will be 5 in August. They grow up so fast! We have had Maxwell (registered name Mr Maxwell Peabody, AKA Maxwell Trouble or Max) since he was a baby, he is the black one and was my first baby and I am still surprised he was the last of the litter because he is the most perfect looking schnauzer. He is a big fat woos, he cried all the way home when we got him, so much that we almost brought him back. He is terrified of all loud noises and hides in the closet-- we went ahead and put his bed in the closet to make him more comfortable! He is a mama's boy and will always be my first baby. Maddy (registered name Little Miss Madeline D'Argent (of silver) AKA Maddy Mayhem) is the darker salt/pepper and the only other girl in the house. She was the pick of the litter from the same parents as Maxwell one year later and did not get his good looks but we just couldn't crop her ears, they fit her so well. She never looked back when we picked her up as a baby and is a go getter no question about it. No one ever told her she was little. She is demanding of attention and a little fire cracker but we love her and so does Max. They snuggle together all the time and groom each other. When we got her we said that Max was my dog and Maddy was Maxwell's dog. Oscar is the latest addition to our family, we have had him less than a year and got him from a friend who was busy with other family things and moving. We never intended to have more than 2, but he was potty training, neutered, purebred, and Lowell wanted him. He is the near white one, we often call him white dog as opposed to Max as black man. I don't know his registered name, Lowell had some colorful suggestions but he usually calls him Oscar Nut. Lowell finally has a dog in Oscar, the other 2 tend towards me. He will roo Lowell and give him the biggest schnauzer hug whenever he gets home. I sneak in a kiss or two too but don't tell Lowell ;). Oscar is probably the smallest, especially as he gets some chunk off running with the other 2, the softest, and the loudest. He has quite the mouth on him, but he is schnauzer, they all do! He is a snuggler and lap dog for sure and funny too, he likes to dance. We are glad he has joined our family. They are loud, inquisitive, and in your face when you first meet them, so we often put the dogs up, but given 10 minutes to sniff you and explore they will plop in your lap and love on you. Not the best attack dogs for sure, but as guard dogs they do great. I am working on a birthday party for all 3 of them soon, if you would like an invite, let me know!

It is possible I am a little too attached to my dogs, they are my first babies! The boys do okay with them, but I am excited for the day when they will walk and play ball with them. Then they will all be the best of friends.

That is all for today, no major plans this weekend as I am working. Enjoy your summer everyone!