New Year's Eve 2009

Logan and Sarah popped over (to make sure we didn't have to ring in the New Year alone. Ain't that sweet!) We had hot chocolate, pop corn and the like. I made sure to schedule the dogs for a nap so Logan could stay for a while without getting plugged up. Can't wait to get that air scrubber installed! Thanks guys for keeping us company!

Note the 'time stamp' on the photo. This was taken post New Year kissing.

Jan 1, 2010 - Bryan cuddles with the poodles on the sofa. Tucker likes to lay on any clothing that is flannel. What a card!

Christmas Pack

Here are the canine members of my pack. The atmosphere was so relaxing, the dogs weren't stressed at all and enjoyed their special treat of yogurt drops for Christmas. They were also allowed an extra long chew time with their favorite bully sticks. The only mishap, I'm thrilled to report, was Molly (we suspect, but could have been Pixie) got into a chocolate bar that was wrapped and placed under the tree. If it's within reach, these little guys figure it's fair game. Thankfully, there was no horrible after affect on the little tummies, likely due to the fact that it was a milk chocolate bar filled with caramel. We may not have been so lucky if it had been dark chocolate. (The Chihuahuas celebrate their first birthday on Jan 1/10)

Tucker and William (4yrs old)

"Aww, jeeez..mom's taking more pictures." "Just smile, Tuck. It'll be over soon."

Sadie and Olivia (4 and 2yrs old)

"You know everyone thinks we're twins." "Yeah, I don't bother correcting them anymore."

"I'm clearly the older and wiser one." "Yep...and I'm the cuter one."

Gracie - "I do NOT like this slippery chair, Mom."

Pixie - "Mom, Graci just stole my chew!"

Joey - "Can I get down and play now?"

Molly - "God Bless us, every one."

Christmas Day

As I have mentioned before, this Christmas marks the first "Secret Santa" (drawing one name per person) style Christmas for our family. I will say, it was a superb hit! Everyone enjoyed shopping (I suspect we enjoyed it because we knew we weren't going to have to do it for hours upon hours), wrapping and anticipation of the opening. Having only one gift under the tree did not, in any way, deter from the Christmas spirit dwelling within our home that day. Actually, I would go so far as to say the single gift was greatly appreciated and the bond between the gift and giver was bolstered by the act. Could we say that in this case....less is truly more? I'm so excited for next Christmas. I wonder who my Secret Santa will be in 2010?

Every Christmas day must begin with the cooking of the turkey.

The Chef supervises as the Sous Chef pops the bird into the oven.

Matt pops by to say his "good byes" on his way to the airport. He has a hockey game tomorrow so his coach wants him back in Texas today. Always nice to see you, Matt. Maybe next time, you can stay a while?

Gift opening begins... Sharayah received bath paraphernalia from her secret santa - Sarah.

Theo received a board game "Dirty Minds" (not what you think and absolutely hilarious!) from his secret santa - Logan. He loves his board games, this guy.

Sarah received a gel, wrist support mouse pad (now she doesn't have to use her desk top) and a Starbucks coffee card from her secret santa - 'Dad'.

Logan received an x-box live card from his secret santa - 'mom'. Now he can play on-line (a real treat!)

Bryan received the much desired and requested Keith Urban CD and a Starbucks coffee card from his secret santa - Sharayah.

Bryan was especially taken with the gift he received from Linda. It was so unexpected and prime for a drummer, he was touched by her thoughtfulness. The coffee card was added to his collection - he was like a kid in a candy store! Can a Starbucks addict ever have too many gift cards? lol

"Sorry. Your post could not be...."

What is up with this crazy blog site? NOTE TO EVERYONE.... if you are actually signed in (I always forget!) and you input the 'word' they give you to type in the window, hit submit and get this stupid "sorry" msg....just hit 'submit' again. It has always accepted my msg once I hit 'submit' the second time. Hope this helps...seems every site has its little cliches...URGH!

Christmas Eve

I'm slightly out of order here but I'll be happy if I can just get these holiday entries up by the end of January! lol

Christmas Eve

Logan, Sarah, Theo and Sharayah feasting on Pizza!

There's one in every crowd! lol

Mr. Muscle lowers the turkey into the brine.

Sharayah and Theo did a lot of cooking today in preparation for tomorrow's dinner. They marinated the turkey, overnight, in a brine (in Theo's cooler). I've never had a brine turkey before. I was very curious about the whole thing. The brine smelled wonderful! (PS: it was delicious!)

All Is Calm...

This Christmas will go down in my memory as one of the nicest in several respects. I was so fortunate to have Sharayah and Theo make the big Christmas dinner spread. And, thankfully, Logan and Sarah were able to spend most the day with us all and it was such a quiet, peaceful experience full of warmth and joy. Of course we always miss the family members who are separated by miles and they were in our thoughts, but we so enjoyed this special day. Here are the gifts that served as the proverbial 'cherry' on the delicious sundae that was my 2009 Christmas experience.

Warm, fuzzy flannel jammies from Mom and Dad Boyce will keep me from frostbite during this brutally cold winter we are having. I should wear them when I go out to shovel the sidewalk!
Bryan and Sharayah made certain I got a Toblerone bar sized for a giant! Sarah snuck a pedicure stone/brush tool in my stocking as well which was an unexpected surprise.

Theo was my Secret Santa! He found the one, very specific, wallet from Espe I had requested. Not sure if you can see the image but it is a dog riding a motorcycle. I love it! Thank you, Theo. How many Tin Box stores did you have to scour before you found it?

Bryan made certain to spoil me with many of my favorite things even though we said we were not going to exchange gifts this year. He's a sneak! He always selects the most thoughtful cards and this year's lived up to his reputation. He also gave me two CDs: Keith Urban's "Defying Gravity" and the newly released, Lady Antebellum. He spied a dog trick training book w/DVD that is the most clearly demonstrated trick training video I have come across. Can't wait to try it out on my dogs. He also picked up the 2010 Dog Annual periodical. Last year, Linda bought it for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a terrific resource that serves the entire year long. I suspected I was going to have to go out and purchase it for myself this year but my hubby beat me to it. It was a big surprise and it was all I could do to keep my nose out of it for the remainder of the day. lol Bryan has also instructed me to select a mini note book for Christmas but we will see. Not certain the budget will allow just yet as we are still trying to finish the bsmnt. Maybe for my birthday? Anyway... It was a fabulous Christmas...one I will look forward to repeating in 2010. Love you, Bryan! Any Christmas spent with you is a wonderful day.

They Did What?

I love teaching my clients to exercise their pooches on the treadmill. Surprise and doubt are the initial reactions but I've yet to meet a dog I could not convince to participate and, generally, come to love the treadmill. The proof that dogs instinctually need to exercise is when these dogs often come to 'request' - via whining/barking/pacing - a run on the treadmill. Below are Alexi and Sasha taking their turns on the treadmill. With our winters, I don't know how people properly provide exercise and instinctual migration required by dogs. I told one client who owns a husky, a dog more than adequately equipped to run in sub-zero temperatures, "He may very well be equipped for these winters but humans are not. How long will you last in -30 weather? You'll likely catch your death if you spend any time at all out there." He runs his husky daily on the treadmill and the dog is happy a can be.