Happy Birthday to Zaden!

Happy 2nd Birthday to Zaden today--wow, I can't believe it! I just talked to him on the phone and he sang part of "happy birthday" with me, told me about his new train from grammy & grandpa, then said "bye" and handed the phone back to Sonya. He's pretty funny to talk to on the phone because I can only catch about half of what he's saying due to the fact that he talks real soft and quiet on the phone (but definitely not in person!).

I can't believe we have a total of 4 nephews age 2 & under...wow!

The Great Dog Debate

Okay--the latest debate around our house is regarding whether or not to get a dog. I say yes (and have for awhile)...Ryan says no. I'm trying real hard to be the good, obedient wife--but I think he would enjoy a dog, too. Maybe you can help us decide!

I'm thinking an outdoor dog--fairly self sufficient but I realize it would require food, water, a warm place to sleep (doghouse, etc.), and play/walks regularly. We have a nice sized fenced-in backyard which I think would be perfect. Maybe I would take more walks if we had a dog? I'd definitely like the play part--and would spend more time in the backyard if we had a dog.

Ryan counters with "and what do we do with it when we travel?" (me: put out plenty of food, water, and ask a neighbor to check on it every other day). "what about the dog poo in the yard? (me: train it to poo in one specific spot?) "what about when you get tired of it?" (me: worst case scenario--get rid of it, but we had dogs growing up, I know I like them, and I don't think that will happen)

So my questions are this: Do you have a dog? Do you want a dog? Do you want to get rid of your dog (as in--have one but wish you didn't?) Feel free to post comments or suggestions!!!

P.S. I'm not being sneaky: Ryan knows I posted this and has just agreed that what I've said is an accurate recollection of our debate. :)

Just in case you were wondering...

I'd like to say that the title to our blog, "Magsam's Holler," can be attributed to Ryan. I couldn't think of anything better--so that's it for now. To help you understand why we settled on this, Ryan suggested that the title should be something Arkansas-ish. Since "holler" is a noun used for the geographical feature otherwise known as a "hollow" as well as the verb to shout out, it seemed doubly fitting. Those of you who know us are probably rolling your eyes, and that's okay--roll on!

Modern Language Association (MLA):
"holler." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 26 Dec. 2007. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/holler>.

Latest & Greatest (or not)

Well, we have officially changed blogs...but obviously, since you're here, you know that already! The Yahoo 360 blog we were using only let us post one picture with each entry--which was getting annoying. Since we had already moved our photos to Flickr and are supposed to be able to post photos from our flickr account to here easily, it makes sense. :)

We have been busy the past month it seems. Made a quick trip to MN (stopping to meet our newest nephew, Xander, in MO on the way) Dec.14 for Ryan's Grandpa Homer Mote's funeral. Came back home the 16th.

On the 21st (Fri) we left for MO again. After Britt & Eva Booth's wedding on Saturday morning, we headed out with mom & dad for Omaha, NE where my uncle Terrill (mom's oldest brother) is in the VA hospital. He is making progress (after 7 weeks in the hospital and counting) but has a lot yet to make. Mom & dad were encouraged to see the progress since the last time they'd visited him! We also got to see his daughter Andrea and her little girl Chloe. I hadn't seen any of them for almost 4 years. We made it back to Sedalia Sunday night.

Monday we took it easy--Tasha & Kingston joined us for the day at mom & dad's then we went to Josh & Sonya's for supper. Josh's parents are visiting from CO and his mom had made a yummy spaghetti supper for us all. We enjoyed playing with Zaden and cuddling Xander.

On Tuesday all of the Spinar family assembled at Grandpa & Grandma's house. There are 32 of us (if I counted right) now--and we were all there for dinner! It was great to be with everyone for a little while. We came home Tuesday evening in time for Ryan to work at 5:00 this morning.

I've got a crazy cold so I've been taking it easy today...and thank goodness I'm on vacation, so taking it easy is completely acceptable! I love breaks--they are much needed, help me to restore & recoup, and it's just so much fun to have time to do what I want to do--or not do what I don't want to do. :) I think I may be spoiled...