Happy Thanksgiving!

Well..the holiday season is upon us..I hope everyone (in the states at least) had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. And now we get to gear up for the shopping ( I stick to cyber shopping) and holiday treats. ;-)
Jason and I took the kids to my parents' house in Franklin County, VA (southwest VA). They live on a farm so this was Cali's first introduction to horses, deer, Gam-Gam's cooking and family gatherings.
First...my sister (who is 6 months preggers), my mom and I after Thanksgiving dinner with the extended family. Can't tell we are related, can you? ;-)
Ok..the family stuff is out of the way..on to animals!!! ;-)
My mom cares for my sisters retired racing Thoroughbred horse, Mac as well as her two miniature horses, Rocky and Sugar, she rescued from Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue. RVHR helped us a lot during my horse's last few months a few years ago..and during that process mom acquired these two cuties.
They make a very cute herd..don't you think?
Cali seemed to enjoy the minis..she wasn't sure what to think of them at first but she has a lot more confidence than Dana..so she wasn't petrified of them.
"Rocky...are you a fuzzy dog?"
The mini's have a small paddock that is fenced well (they are escape artists) that made a great off leash area for the hounds. We of course turned off the electicity on the fence..that would have been bad.
"Sugar..can't you come play with me?"
"Now I don't know what to do with you..."Five minutes earlier..
"Don't let that monster in here!" But Dana..look how cute she is....
"She's GOING TO EAT ME!!"
Rocky says he doesn't care for other four leggers disturbing his nap timeWe used this time to practice Cali's recall (she has to know "Come" to be a therapy dog)
"You called, Mom?"My sister came over and groomed on Mac..he loves peppermints!Oh..and while we were playing with the horses..Jason was inside with my dad carving up my dad's deer from this season. He passed the knife to Jason...made me tear up a bit. Then Jason did this...Before we came back to Richmond, we went to Tomahawk Mills Winery which is really close to my parents' house..we just never knew it! You know you are in the back country when you have to ring a this bell for service..

It was an old mill so it was very picturesque

We had a great Thanksgiving and didn't get caught in too much traffic. Everyone is recovering from their trip to the farm. They haven't really opened their eyes in the last 24 hours!

Happy Holidays everyone!!!

The turnstile is installed

Last weekend..we broke our own record of dogs under our roof overnight..nine. After the past few weeks of lots of dogs, I definitely realize we can't have more than 4 of our own! We had Jag until Friday..when he got adopted to his hopeful forever home. He was a really good boy.
He always had ETS
Lindley visited for a few days while her parents had some R&R in Atlantic City. She is very pretty and easy! We also had Hemingway..the goofy boy. He is a lot of fun but has a lot of energy! He seemed to always have to share his bed..even though there were plenty to go around.
Blue and Ana went home today..their parents had a wonderful honeymoon in Europe but missed them very much!!!
Blue says he misses his Mommy!
BUT..he loves the fenced yard...and the pink octopus!
I couldn't help but take this shot..9 dogs eating at the same time (while Jason cooks!)..you can't see Dante but he is behind Lindley!But of course with this many kids in one yard..it is impossible to keep everyone happy. Cali must have called Ana a momma's girl and then Ana said Cali's daddy was a dork...and it was on! But they are greyhounds..so they got tired immediately with only a small scuffle..BUT the outcome was that Cali got her butt kicked...literally.
And you thought Jason and Cali were sick before...you should see how he is when she is 'injured'!

So we decided to add to our living room furniture because we needed more couch space for the dogs! So we bought a reclining chaise. It is soft and fluffy..and the dogs love it! It did not come with a spoiled rotten greyhound but we have one that likes it a lot!
"I love the new chair" ...I was laughing uncontrollably..she was sound asleep!
But we can fit all sorts of dogs on the new chair..

Then on Saturday night, we had some folks over for dinner and fun. Of course lots of greyhound (and one whippet) were invited as well!
Diego shows off his pjs..the butt was cute!Diego and Hemi lounge together
Ana gets a homemade pork rind from Nerice..the dogs really loved those!

Gil gets everyone started by handing out more pork rinds. Dolly, Ally, Cali, Ana and Dana patiently wait for more!

We got the game Guitar Hero 3..which is a lot of fun...and addictive. it was a hit at the party. Nerice had past experience with the whole thing..so she was really good. The rest of use started a bit behind the eight ball. Diego got around...and obviously had too much wine!

Everyone has gone home now..so we are back to just our kids. First time in a few months I think! Thanksgiving is Thursday..we are going to my parents' house this year. So we will be packing up the wagon and heading south on Wednesday. Let Cali experience her first 'farm experience'..she probably won't be deathly afraid of the mini horses like Dana is!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

p.s. Happy Birthday, Gyeong!

I do...

I do...love him even though he looks likes this...the kids didn't...

I do...love fostering. Jag is doing well and is soooo sweet.

I do...love a lot of dogs in my back yard

I do ...love my shiloh and Kristen's Parker..especially when he stalks her

Amanda and Kenney say...I do

I ...don't know if her dad is happy..why wouldn't he be..his daughter is marrying a GREAT GUY!

I do..love my friends Kristen and Gyeong

I do..love me some wine..we had 1 1/2 hours to wait before the reception. Most spent it walking around colonial Williamsburg...we admired the history from the plastic car drinking Williamsburg Winery Cabernet!

WE DO..cheers to Amanda and Kenney's future!

I do..sacrifice my furniture and floor space..for my kids (Jag, Dana, Blue, Jamie, Alex, Hemingway)

(Stella, Cali, Shiloh, Ana, Alex, Hemingway)
(Stella, Parker, Dante, Shiloh)
I do..love my friends and their greyhounds..Ana and Blue..they are no longer bastard children

;-)

I do...love my Cali...who did this all by herself...I don't pretend to understand the reasoning
Congratulations, Mr and Mrs Kenneth and Amanda Miller. Thank you for having us to your wedding (the parking lot was an added bonus). I hope you are having a wonderful time in Europe..I know you are reading this while you are there. I look foward to your return!!!!!

YOU DID!!!