In Over Our Heads

Literally and figuratively.  We are officially in the snowiest January on record.  The snow is literally over our heads.

And we've decided to take on a new "challenge" by getting a puppy.  We've never had a puppy before.  I feel sure we are getting in over our heads on this one... figuratively of course.

But, in the spirit of optimism and perserverance... we will be ok in both situations!  We will dig ourselves out of this snowpocalypse and we will google "how to raise a puppy" and ALL WILL BE FINE!

Let's begin with the snow...

As I write this post, the snow is still dumping outside my window.  It's windy and the gusts are getting stronger and stronger.  The forecast is calling for 2 feet of snow between today and tomorrow.  That's 2 feet on TOP of the 10+ feet we've already gotten this January.  I have never in all my life seen this much snow.  It's really pretty exciting.  And folks, we have a LOT of winter left!  We are really just getting started.  I actually really do hope it continues.

There's something so magical about the snow.  Even though I'm pretty sick of shoveling it, I still get excited when I see the storm clouds rolling in over the mountains.  It's peaceful and calming (as long as you aren't driving in it).

WHEN I GOT HOME FROM WORK ONE DAY,
I COULDN'T OPEN MY CAR DOOR BECAUSE
OF ALL THE SNOW IN MY DRIVEWAY!

THE BIGGEST I'VE SEEN THIS CORNICE GET...
...SO FAR.

OUR NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY!
THE PICTURE IS HORRIBLE... THERE WAS SNOW BLOWING IN
MY FACE MAKING IT HARD TO SMILE OR LOOK AT THE CAMERA. 

NEIGHBOR'S JEEP.
IT HASN'T MOVED IN A MONTH. 

THE SNOW REMOVAL AREA ON OUR STREET...

... IT'S LOOKING PRETTY FULL IF YOU ASK ME. 

THE MORNING VIEW FROM OUR DECK JUST
NEVER GETS OLD! 

WE WERE HEADED TO HEAVENLY TO DO SOME SKIING BUT
GOT STOPPED AT THE END OF OUR STREET.
THE DOUGLAS COUNTY SKI PROGRAM TEACHES KIDS TO SKI.
IT'S AWESOME!  BUT, THE PICK UP IS AT THE END OF OUR STREET
WHICH IS KIND OF A BUMMER.

NOTE TO SELF: LEAVE THE HOUSE EARLIER NEXT TIME!

WE HAVE ALREADY KNOCKED DOWN A LOT
OF THE SNOW FROM OUR DOORWAY SEVERAL TIMES!
IT JUST KEEPS BUILDING BACK UP!

OUR NEIGHBOR'S WALKWAY TO THEIR HOUSE.
IT'S HARD TO TELL HOW DEEP IT REALLY IS
IN THE PICTURE.  

YESTERDAY EVENING...

THE CALM BEFORE TODAY'S STORM! 

Ok... so now let's talk puppy!  You may be thinking, why would you get a puppy during the snowiest winter?  Don't you know they have to go outside ALL the time?  Don't you know there's nowhere for said puppy to pee?  Don't you know he'll get buried in all that snow???

Yes... we know ALL of that.  However, we've both come to the realization that although it's been nice NOT having a dog for the past year, we both desperately miss having a dog.  That has been very apparent to me recently.  And we feel like now is the time.

The truth is... we've been visiting shelters for a few months now.  We've looked at dogs that need adoption online and we've met some dogs in person.  We wanted to adopt a dog and not "shop" for a dog initially.  We "rescued" our sweet Zater (or maybe he rescued us???).  We definitely considered that route again this time.  But, dogs have distinct personalities.

They say that "You don't pick the dog, the dog picks you," right?  Well, we honestly didn't feel a bond with any of the shelter pups.  I didn't feel like any of them wanted to go home with us.  We would've kept searching for that "just right" shelter pup BUT, a friend of Mike's mentioned a litter of golden retriever puppies nearby and we decided to at least go look at them.

We played with and held all the puppies.... we brought one of Zater's old toys... and this little guy:

... well, he laid his sweet little head down on Mike's shoe, snuggled up to Zater's old toy, and fell asleep!  Needless to say, we felt "picked."  When we left, he was the only pup of the bunch to wake up. He picked his little head up and looked at us like, "Where are you going?" while all the other pups kept sleeping.

This wasn't the original path we were going to take to get a dog... but we feel like it's a path we're supposed to take.

We met this little one on the 1 year anniversary of our sweet Zater's passing.  So, to honor our beloved Zater, we decided to stick with the letter Z for the name.  We've decided to name him Zephyr.  For my east coast readers, Zephyr Cove is an area of the lake not too far from our house.  

I know that ultimately this will be a stressful process but we also see it as a positive adventure.  And, I'm sure it will give me PLENTY to blog about!

And my finally, I want to wish my dad a very happy birthday today!!!!!  I hope it's a spectacular day for you!!!  Much love from Tahoe!!!!