{sharpe family christmas card}

This afternoon I got the boys and myself dressed up to take our Christmas card pictures. I knew this was going to be impossible difficult with a 7 month old puppy but I had no idea how difficult. 

You see, we do not have a tri pod, therefore, we had to set my camera on a chair and position it just right. Then, I set the self timer and took off running to my destination. 

Here are a few of our "duds"// outtakes! 

at this point, dale was ready to kill Polo

This picture cracks me up! Dale was fed up at this point...I had my camera on the deck trying to find a better view..and polo took off and knocked the chair across the yard!!! I almost peed my pants I laughed so hard!! 

**43 pictures later...we finally found the winner picture!!**

{allergy free doggie treats}

If you have a pup like mine, who seems to be allergic to everything under the sun {chicken- eggs too, and corn} then you know how hard it is to find quality dog treats. It took us a while to find out what Polo was allergic to but I think we've finally got him on a  good diet. Since we don't have any "pet stores" where we live I have resorted to making my own dog treats. 

We are carving a pumpkin today and I wanted to use my whole pumpkin--keeping the seeds for us and using the "meat" for Polo. I looked up a pumpkin treat recipe but everything I found had eggs in it. Then, a light bulb went off in my head, why not substitute just like we can with our baking? 

Here is what I used:

1 c applesauce (or 2 eggs if your fur isn't allergic)

1 c pumpkin

3 c whole wheat flour

Follow the instructions on the linked site to get the best whole food doggie treat recipe!

*tip* make sure you refrigerate your treats! If not, they will mold! 

{vegan sweet potato chili}

Tonight I made one of the yummiest dishes I think I've ever made--Sweet Potato Chili! 

Tonight's chili was the perfect combo of colorful veggies and the taste of fall and I highly recommend it to you. I found the recipe via pintrest and altered it just a tad. 

Ingredients:

1/2 large diced onion

2 cans of black beans (rinsed and drained)

28 oz of diced tomatoes

1 zucchini diced

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp crushed bay leaves

2 tsp orange zest

1 cup veggie broth

a few dashes of chili powder

Combine all ingredients, throw in to a crockpot. Heat on high for 4 hours! Serve. Enjoy!

I served my chili with corn bread muffins and could just taste fall in my mouth!! 

**the great thing about using a little bit of orange zest, you can use the left over peels to make your house smell yummy!! Throw the peels in a sauce pan, fill with water, add a little bit of cinnamon and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and allow your kitchen to be overpowered by yumminess! 

{Future Doctor Sharpe}

 Saturday was one of those monumental days we will never forget, Dale's White Coat Ceremony! What a special day it was! Dale has worked so hard these past two months and so far has done amazing in all of his classes. He loves school and I could not be more proud of my hard working husband. I am a blessed woman to stand behind him and support him through this amazing journey! 

I would be lying if I said this was an easy journey to embark on. Some days we go with out seeing each other (other than in the morning before school). It's very tough but I am so thankful for the time we do have together, which makes it that much more special. 

I am glad we live pretty close to school because if it is a long study night, Dale will come home for dinner and then back to school he goes. {Thank goodness for Polo...when I need someone to talk to, he is always there to listen :) }

Class of 2016 

Blessed with amazing friends

The whole fam came in to celebrate! 

I am such a proud wife of a future doctor! 

Like the speaker said yesterday, "you earned it, you deserve it!" 

{music lover; tv junkie}

Yet another Polo video has surfaced. This boy is the funniest dog I've ever met and I'm proud to call him mine! Polo loves to watch TV and acts like he really knows what's going on! 

{county fair, ya'll}

When we found out the fair was coming to town, we were all about it! We wanted to experience it while we lived here and let me tell you, an experience it was. Lots of janky rides in the middle of a field and some interesting folks that came out that Tuesday night. The best was getting to watch the demolition derby. Ever heard of it? I hadn't either! Never have I ever experienced something like this in my life. Cars line up and then hit the gas and just run in to each other. It was wild! We were all screaming the whole time, people were turning around looking at us with our cell phones out recording the entire thing. We didn't stick out like a sore thumb or anything. 

The Girls

Laughing on the Ferris Wheel

Our view from the top of the Ferris Wheel

Demolition Derby

I'm not sure it was worth $24 admission and we probably won't go back next year but it was a cool experience. One we can check off our non-existant bucket list. 

{bunny rabbit}

This spunky pup has got some personality let me tell you! He never ceases to find ways to make us laugh!