My Husband's BIG Birthday Surprise!

So...my hubby turned a BIG number for his birthday in February...I wont be rude and say what the number is, but it's somewhere between 50 & 70. :-) (He totally doesn't look it!)  My husband is the best of the best. He works soooo very hard for us. He recently let me retire from my job of 17 years to pursue my photography business full time! Wahooo!!!  For that alone he deserved an extra nice birthday present, right??

We are dog lovers ....through and through. Since we have been married...11+ years , we have had various dogs in and out of our lives...mostly left overs from our kids...and ALL small dogs. ALL!!! 

We got down to one Min Pin name Lexi, and one stray Cat named Lucy...and my grand dog Bowie, a Pomeranian, who comes over every day for "doggie day care".

Insert Exhibit A - This is a picture of my awesome family the day of the BIG Surprise. (See the big smile on hubbies face? He's the one holding that cute blonde puppy) I have four daughters, one son- in- law, and 3 boyfriends. Lucy the cat?? Yeah....no. She was hiding in the bushes. Not a fan of the big dogs. All three big dogs live in Austin, TX where they are helping to keep it weird.

Ok...so on with my story.  My husband started talking about getting a "man dog" about a year ago..."one of these days". I knew "one of these days" would never come around.

 So, way back in October, 2012, I had the grand idea that I will find him a "man dog" for his BIG birthday in February, 2013. I asked him one day in October (sitting on the beach in Florida...ahhhh) what his dream dog would be. Without hesitation, he said "Lab. Yellow. Female. Small".. well, alrighty then! Sounds like he was prepared for that question!

To make a long story...even longer....I found a great breeder through a friend of my daughters, in Slaughter, Louisiana,  Bear Creek on the Bayou  Owned by Kim & Steve Riggins. The puppies should be born and ready to go to their forever homes the end of February! Perfect!!...Plus, may I add that Kim Riggins, was the NICEST of all people to talk to and deal with! I had NO IDEA how snobby dog breeders could be!! LORD! (Ive never dealt with a reputable breeder....we are more rescue people)

The puppies were actually ready the second weekend in March (as you just can't put a deadline on Mother Nature)...so I came up with a good lie/I mean "story" ... about why we were having his family celebration 3 weeks late! I also had to tell another "story" about why our daughter and I  were going to  Louisiana on March 7 for one day. A photo shoot of course!! I only "storyed" about who I was photographing. As it turns out, Kim Riggins was delighted to hear I am a photographer, as she was in desperate need of updated pics of her sweet family! I have to point out that Kim is quite the photographer herself!! I felt a little pressure, I wont lie.

 I should mention when my hubby saw the puppy come outside with her big pink bow around her neck...he shed a tear and named her Annibelle. 

  Annabelle right before meeting her Daddy...see how excited she is???                                                                                      

Without further ado - some of the pictures from my trip to Bear Creek on the Bayou (Breeder of the English Lab)....a smaller/shorter version of the American Lab. Please meet Steve, Kim & Brendan Riggins. Such delightful people!! If you are looking for an English Lab......there's no place better!   They offer extensive training  I wish they weren't so far away...thats exactly were Annabelle would go.

As I always say on my blog...please click the picture to make it BIGGER!

As you enter the Riggin's property. I personally cant believe they cant train a real lab to sit out there like that statue.  Seriously...they could take shifts!! (Think about it Kim)

No caption needed  :-)

Love this shot of Kim & Steve with their son Brendan

Probably my fav of all the group pictures.

The Riggin's property was AMAZING!!!

The whole family....minus a few more dogs who didn't desire to be in the photo.

Yeah, I love sun flare on ANYTHING!!

Kim on the left with my baby.....I handed Kim my camera and she snapped this for me! I told you she was a good photographer!!

Brendan with one of the families personal labs.

Steve and Brendan

Hehe....I made them hold MY baby for the sign picture!

OMG....Look at the puppy run!!! She's a champ!            My partner-in-crime Lauren - sending pics to the other sisters.

Last but not least... our girl Belle...right before eating the pansies.  :-/  Goodbye back yard...I will miss you.