Thanks . . . and guess who's starting to walk??

We've gotten many phone calls, kind words and hugs in the last few days, which has helped so much. I wanted to share one of the very special things we got from our friend Gracie . Gracie just found out about Ollie leaving our house and so she drew this very sweet card for us.


Here is Gracie playing ball with Ollie. :)

Thank you Gracie!

Also, some shots of Addy from this last week or so . . .


Addy is starting to walk, she goes a little ways and then sits down or throws herself face first onto the ground.


We wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving! We are headed down south to Arizona to visit with family (and enjoy some warm weather). Take care and enjoy the time with family and friends.

Sometimes life isn't easy . . ,

Every once in a while you have a day that helps you put into perspective all those other days you think are "hard" or "terrible". I am pretty famous for coming home from work and saying "I had a terrible day today". Today is one of those days that helps one to realize that most days life isn't as bad as you think. Today life really sucks.


Many of you have shared our struggle over the last few months about what to do with our Ollie. After many agonizing discussions, consultations with many people and a lot of tears we made the decision that Ollie needs to go to a new home. And today, as I type this posting, Scott is taking Ollie to a very wonderful woman that will help us find Ollie a great home.

I just want to take a moment to share my thanks for the seven wonderful years we had with Ollie. He was a trial at times, but as you can see in these pictures, those big brown eyes help you forgive a lot and make you feel very special. He was really our very first baby. And for those that grew up with me you know I spent a lot of years yearning for my very own puppy dog. And my prayers were answered when Scott found this perfect little puppy for me. Ollie was Scott's very first dog.

We will love you always Ollie and pray that you will find comfort and much happiness in your new home.


It has been a weekend filled with chances (this being just one of them) to remember what are the really important things in life. Sometimes that is a hard lesson to be reminded of, but always important to help us focus on those important things.

We will always love you Ollie and remember you with joy in our hearts!


If interested in learning more about an amazing organization visit Oregon Dachshund Rescue. They run entirely by donation and adoption fees. Janell has been amazing to work with and has helped us tremedously.

Piano Recital

Addy got all dressed up to go see Gracie's piano recital this morning. Gracie did so great!! The photos came out terrible, but you can get the idea.

Those are little honey bees on Addy's dress - she looked so cute.

Here is Addy with the star:


Keep in mind Addy got shots yesterday and has a terrible cold. This is the happiest we could get. :)

And here is the fearsome threesome: Gavin, Gracie and Addy!


(Gavin is trying to tickle Addy to get her to smile. And Gracie is trying to get her to look at the camera.)

2007 OPT Main Event

Today is the Olympia Poker Tour's Main Event. Addison had just two words for her Daddy as he walked out the door:

Good Luck Scotty "The Professor" Daukas!!

Halloween 2007

What an exciting and fun-filled day! Addy spent the day with Grandma and Grandpa T. They got Addy into her halloween dress (the costume wasn't going to happen) and got these pictures.




I think they are some of the best photos we have of Little. Thanks so much Mom and Dad, we will cherish these shots!! (The rocking chair is something they saved from my childhood.)

Then they packed her up to bring her to me at my office so we could put her in her costume and trick or treat at my work and then onto Scott's office.

Here she is in her costume at my office!


And then home to give out candy to the trick or treaters. She wouldn't keep on the costume, so she ran around in the underclothes all night.

Hope you all had a fun Halloween!

Old Pictures

In my haste to get Addy's birthday slideshows out I forgot to share a couple of shots from Addy's 12 month photo session.


She's already looking more grown up!

The long road home . . .

Poor Addy left babyhood behind and crashed into toddlerhood with her fair share of ills. We've been battling a number of ailments these last few weeks. (Cold, flu, teething, anti-biotic induced diaper trouble :( . . . this is the short list. Really!) We are hoping she's going to start feeling better really soon!

Meanwhile, Addy tries hard to stay in good spirits! And she is always a cutie!

Here is Addy in her weenie dog shirt (this seemed only appropriate).


Little playing her new favorite game "sock hands"!


Hamming it up for the camera:


Helping with the dishes tonight after dinner:

Happy weekend!

The Big "1"

It took me a few days to get all the pictures loaded and sorted. What a fun party we had to celebrate Addy's first birthday. Thanks so much for all those friends and family members that came to make it such a special celebration!!!

Here is a slide show of the festivities and some pics with a couple of her presents.

A special thanks to Mom and Dad and Frank and Nancy - thanks for all your hard work and extra special caring to make this a wonderful memory!

Here's to many more years of special birthdays to come!

Addy's First Year!

On Friday our precious little girl will be a year old! In anticipation of the big event I've put together a slide show with a few pics from the year. I remember this time last year - so much excitement and so many nerves! We couldn't have asked for a more perfect gift! Enjoy!

We love you Little!

Adventures at Bath Time

Addy is getting very adventurous during bath time. She loves to stand up, try to walk, splash and put her face in the water!


Little loves the splash:

Checking out her tummy:

This is the only book she actually likes to look at:

Every time I'd hold the camera up, she'd do this sideways head thing:

Big time fun!

Smiles for the camera!


Can't wait to get her into swim lessons next month!

Sun, Rain, and Weddings

As far back as I can remember September is one of the best months of the year in Olympia. Sunny days, a bit on the cooler side in the morning and evening - the exact reason we picked this month to get married outside 8 years ago. (Happy Anniversary Scott!) We went to two weddings on Saturday and what an experience we had!

Both weddings were beautiful and we were so happy to be a part of the celebration. The first at 3 pm was indoors with gorgeous sunny skies outside, and at the conclusion of the ceremony the bride and groom rode off to the reception in a horse drawn carriage under the beautiful sun. (Congratulations Amy and David!) A mere 30 minutes later about 7 miles away we were pelted with a heavy rain shower for the outdoor wedding we were attending. There was a truly blessed break in the rain and the ceremony took place under a beautiful arbor with the sun shining down through a break in the clouds. (Congratulations Ali and Doug!)

The sun dress we put Little in and the light weight party dress I wore worked well for the first wedding - not so well for the second. But we made do - nothing will keep us from the party!

Here is Little in her wedding finery! This was her first time in frilly socks and her first time in shoes! So precious . . .





As the weather turns its time for pants and long sleeves!


This is a magical time of year with a one year birthday right around the corner!

Our boys in blue :(

Even with the 12th man . . . and 12th little girl the Seahawks couldn't win. It was a sad day, but we did our best to cheer on our team!








Little looks like a boy here, huh? :)

But, don't worry - I think I'm still going to win my fantasy football game! :)

The Zoo

After a summer of trying to get together we finally got the chance to go to the zoo with our friends Mardi, Gary and Stanley. We had a great time!


I even braved the butterfly exhibit. (Although at one point I thought I might lose it and run screaming from the tent.) NOT a butterfly fan!


The zoo has a carousel there - we couldn't ride on it when we first got there because it was roped off for a special group. The National Carousel Association convention was in town, they were having a ceremony. Finally when we were leaving they had opened the carousel back up and we got the chance to ride it. We barely made it on though because the convention folks were still there. We almost got crushed in line with these people behind us trying to get on . . . apparently the convention leader was going to let them ride "one more time". Mind you this was like 4 hours later. (I am not making this up.)


Just in case you were wondering we are all now members of the National Carousel Association!


What a great family outing!

Guitar Lessons

Addy tried out the guitar with Daddy:


Good job Little.



She's a natural!