Vermont Weekend

This past weekend Nick and I headed up to Waterbury, Vermont with three other couples. Nick met his friends Mark and Steve through a cigar website called Stogie Chat. They've been friends for about a year now- Mark lives around the corner in Methuen and Steve and his wife Sarah live in Pennsylvania. Jarrod and Nicole is the fourth couple that came with us, and they are friends with Mark and Sarah.

We had a wonderful long weekend of eating, drinking wine, and relaxing. I didn't know anyone going into the trip well but we all had a great time and got along just fine. Mark's wife Sarah had rented the house we stayed at the year before for Mark's 30th birthday. It was gorgeous with beautiful views, and it was beyond peaceful. We'd definitely like to take the trip again next year! Special thank you to my Mom who watched Nicholas so we could have some grown up time:)

The house and view:

WE HIKED YOU GUYS! AND WE DIDN'T DIE!!!!!

My horse friend who lived on the farm

Steve, Mark, Nick, and Jarrod

Me, Sarah, Sarah, and Nicole :)

Nicholas Updates

Nicholas just keeps getting cooler and cooler (I know everyone says that about their kids, just get over it guys).

We've started on potty training- I've talked to a lot of different friends and I don't know if he is 100% ready, so we're taking it slow. We've started changing his diaper in the bathroom and putting him on the potty if he seems comfortable. He's still in diapers full time, and I'm thinking about transitioning to pull ups in the next few weeks. A lot of people say he still may be too young, so I'm just seeing how it goes and not stressing about it. I've changed thousands of diapers, what's a few thousand more?

He loves playing in the pool and with his water table outside. He loves the park but is not a huge fan of the water park at the actual park, maybe because it's often filled with screaming kids (well ones that scream more than the ones on the playground I guess). He loves trucks, airplanes, and boats. He loves Dexter. He loves our new foster kitty although she's terrified of him so I just let him say "Hello" from afar. He loves his Mom and Dad. He got to see my parents this weekend and had a wonderful time. He has also started loving movies so we'll often put them on in little 20 minute clips if we have to get stuff done (current favorite: Toy Story). He loves walks, car rides, but isn't too much a fan of "shopping" anymore. He gets upset going into the store but once he is supplied with snacks, he's a happy dude again.

We took a walk the other day and he just chatters non stop. Car, tree, mail, bus, truck, grass, bird, bubbafly (butterfly), bee, boy, girl, and on and on. I love every second of it. People say don't rush his talking because then he'll never stop. My Mom said I started talking when I was around 18 months and haven't stopped since, so I'm totally ok with his chattering ways :)

Life is good.

Dog Walking at LHS

So, a few weeks ago I finally found the time to start walking dogs at The Lowell Humane Society.

You guys- it has honestly been one of the best things I have ever decided to do. Ever.

I was a little nervous at first (I always get very anxious and sweaty, haha, the first time I try something new). But today marks about a month that I've been doing it, and it just keeps getting better. Case in point- Here is my FB status update from last week:

So while walking dogs at the Lowell Humane Society today, I hit my head on a metal block (it was part of a gate), cut my back twice on two different kennels, picked up numerous poops, and almost got my ear barked off by a very excited mastiff/pit mix. But, I got to walk 7 dogs and even if it was only for 15-20 minutes each, I know how wonderful it was for them to be out of their kennels and roll in the grass (or in Rocky's case, the rocks). So grateful that I have a little bit of free time to be with animals that need a little extra attention and love. Thanks again, Nick Dristiliaris. For everything. So happy.

It really just means so much to me. When I met with my college advisor and told her my eventual goal is to train service or therapy dogs, she recommended that I try volunteering and networking as much as possible, to try and gain experience. I've built a good relationship with the shelter manager (also named Crystal, yay!), and am trying to come up with new ideas to help promote the animals. I am going to manage the Instagram page for LHS (lowellhumanesociety is the user name, please follow! and please #lowellhumanesociety or @lowellhumanesociety if you have a picture you would like posted to help promote the animals!)

I also joined the Dog Task Force Team and their goal is to enrich the lives of the shelter animals while they are with us and do everything possible to help get them adopted. The first meeting for that was held last night and it was great to share ideas with like minded, amazing, animal loving people.

Here are some pictures of my favorite guys. I'm only going to post ones that have not yet been adopted (I never know who might happen across my blog and be looking for a wonderful pup- fingers crossed! :)

Einstein, a sweet, excited, shepherd mix.

Howie, a chihuahua who loves belly rubs

ROCKY IS MY FAVORITE! An American Staffordshire (Pitbull). Rocky has been at the shelter awhile now and has shown wonderful progress, but shelter living can be very stressful for a dog and we'd love to get him adopted as soon as possible. He can be a bit intimidating at first because he barks quite a bit in the kennel, but he LOVES to play with the water hose, and roll around in the grass, rocks, or even on the pavement. He is a big dopey guy who doesn't "walk", he "lumbers". I LOVE HIM SO MUCH YOU GUYS. :)

Brando, a sweet chihuahua mix

Rex, a laid back and sweet lhasa type pup

OMG IT'S ROCKY AGAIN

Apparently this guy's name was Lulu but they renamed him King Louie, because, well, he's awesome. :) A little fluff ball Pekignese that cracked me up. A little fur ball of love.

This is Keeno, a mastiff/pit mix. He is a gigantic (I'd guess about 100) pound lug of AWESOME. Keeno is having knee surgery (I'm guessing his body can't support all his awesome), and if you have even a few dollars to spare, it would be beyond appreciated.

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/crystal-arnott-1/keeno



Loving life you guys. Loving life.

xoxo

Sarah's Bridal Shower

Hi Everyone!

About a month ago I attended a bridal shower for Sarah, who is marrying Nick's long time friend TJ. The bridal shower was right on the water in Manchester, MA, and it was beyond beautiful!

The company, the food, and the view, were beyond amazing- it was a picture perfect day and all of us wished it could have been an all day and night bridal shower (I'm pretty sure no one has ever, in the history of the world, said they wanted a bridal shower to last all day:) It was just perfect, and now I really can't wait to see what they do for the wedding!