one shot

I know this picture is not great. I had to take it peeking through a window so they wouldn't move. This is Zombie and Roxi's new favorite hobby - cuddling in the sun. I think they are still thawing out from Oregon. They love having a yard and just hanging out all day. These little guys just make my heart so warm!
We received all of our goods, so now we are just getting the house in order. More photos to come!
-chianne.

Sam Allen and Aurora

Playing fetch while I relaxed in the sun!

We are all settled in at the waterfront cottage the owners have named "Sam Allen". It's so peaceful and even though it's furnished with the owner's things, we have felt so at home here. We have been able to go canoeing, and Devin is making use of the kayak and fishing equipment. The dogs LOVE it here. They love sitting in the sun room and watching the water and the birds. All the dogs roam free around here, so we regularly have several dogs in the yard playing. Roxi will even run off and visit her friends (her favorites being a little white dog named Jack, and a golden retriever who also is named Roxi), and then return home later. We even took them out in the canoe one day! Roxi thought it was amazing. Zombie was a little more nervous but got used to it. I fell in the water by accident, and to my surprise it wasn't very cold considering it was only 70 degrees out. Roxi has gone for a swim a few times after watching the lab next door jump off the dock and chase down toys in the water. Zombie is not so interested in swimming, but I think that will change when the heat of summer comes. We have to drive a little further to get to town and work, but we have no regrets.

Spectacular sunsets from the back deck - every night.

Devin's doing well in school. He currently has a 95% in class. They take several tests a week, and he is constantly studying or doing homework. In 3 months (to the day!) Devin will be graduating, and we will be moving to wherever the Coast Guard decides to send us next. We won't know until May where that might be. The suspense is killing me! I'm not even going to tell you where we want to go, because we literally change our minds every day based on which aircraft Devin likes most each day. Not every aircraft is at every air station, so whichever one he picks will narrow down the places we are able to go. There are just so many factors to consider!

Aunt Chynee and baby Aurora!

Last week, I was able to take the week off work and visit my sister, brother-in-law, and their new baby, Aurora. It seriously blows my mind that my sister grew that little girl in her belly for 9 months! I haven't been able to spend that much time around that young of a baby before, so it was a learning experience on many levels. It was such a nice trip.

The only downside is that those harborers of all things germy, AKA airplanes, seem to have infected me with a mean cold now. I'm already on my second box of tissues. Ah, well! It seems my obsession with hand sanitizer did not spare me this time...

I think that's all for now!

love,
chianne.

relief

My plea was heard. In August, Devin received airman orders. Last week, he became an Airman and started working at the air station here. He loves it so much, and that makes me happy. I'm also thankful we get so much more time together now.
We adopted a mystery mutt (we think she's a Yorkie Dachshund mix) from a rescue here. She is furry and wild. They said she was a stray living on the streets which is crazy since she was still a puppy! We named her "Roxanne" but "Roxi" for short. Our inspiration was the song by the Police, "Roxanne! You don't have to put on the red light!! Those days are over! You don't have to sell your body to the night!" We figured this was appropriate considering her past. I think she is the only dog crazier than Zombie if that is even possible. Though Zombie has mellowed out quite a bit since his 3rd birthday.
Right now we are focusing on decluttering and packing so we will be ready to move to North Carolina next year. I'm excited for this new adventure.

-chianne

autumn.

My birthday came and went and I am now the ripe old age of 22. Devin says we will have a celebration when he comes home. I can't wait!
A friend of mine from Utah, Heather, popped into town for a surprise visit. She was vacationing in Seattle and decided to jump on a bus down to here to hang out for a weekend. It was so nice to have some company and break up the silence of my home!
The other night I got to watch Devin on CGC Steadfast transit through the Panama Canal! I learned a lot in the process and it was actually really cool! I learned a lot! It's was nice to feel less disconnected even if it was through a camera that only updates every 20 seconds!
love,
chianne

Here's a few photos!

Heather at Haystack Rock. It was so cold and rainy!

Zombie likes to eat leaves?

Sweeping the leaves off the walkway to my house!

CGC Steadfast in the Miraflores Lock

dog treats

So for Christmas, my little brother got me "The Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook Kit". I couldn't wait to use the cookie cutters to make Zombie and Eevee Taco (more on my dog that has two names later) some delicious treats! The first recipe I tried was the "Tuna Melt" (pictured above). They turned out great! I was worried because I'm not gifted at all when it comes to baking; it takes me a lot of practice to get a recipe right usually. This one seemed to work perfectly.

Now the real test came - would my picky eater (Zombie) like the treats? I have watched him spit out treats that other dogs would fight over! Well:
He went crazy for them! Both dogs did in fact. I watched my chihuahua jump 3 feet in the air to try to get one. I'm so glad because this will save us lots of money in the long run. Also, they should be gentle on Zombie's sensitive stomach as they are gluten-free and corn-free. I tried one, and it was alright. I think dogs have better taste buds than humans.
I'm sleepy, so I'm off to bed!
love,
chianne

p.s. I'm only 15 Swagbucks shy of my third Amazon gift card! How many Swagbucks do you have?

married and new blog

Well, here we are - married and still in the beginning of our new life together.

I know I am enjoying it. It's different, fun, and exciting. We have our little pup, Zombie, to keep us youthful (haha). He certainly is a handful. He seems to enjoy waking us up by nipping us on the ear. ouch.

Devin has the worst cold he thinks he's ever had. I'm starting to feel it coming on...

My mom is coming to town this weekend! oh how I miss her.

My cousin, Chelsea, is getting married. I wish my sister could come up too...

It's bed time! I must tend to Devin and get some rest.

Our little Zombie at 6 weeks. 2.1 lbs.

9 weeks. 4.2 lbs. He likes to pounce on dandelions, tear them apart, and run away as seen in this picture. hehe.

He's 12 weeks now, but I'm in dire need of taking more pictures of him. hehe.

love,

chianne