Holiday travels

So..like every year we did our whirlwind holiday traveling. For 4 days we were in Roanoke, VA to visit my family and then 3 days in Charlotte, NC to visit Jason's family. It was 7 days of NO fenced yard, small children, eating food completely void of nutritive value and living out of a suitcase. Merry Christmas!! ;-)
I got to see Boone who is now 10 months old and well on his way to being a linebacker.
Aunt Trina and Uncle Jason gave him his gift early since he doesn't actually know what day it is yet. He was very good at opening presents."Dude..you have got a BIG NUGGET!!"
Besides baby watching, we did other things..like play Wii,Watch squirrels..Cali was NOT happy with the leash walking thingLay by the wood stove (Dante's FAVORITE spot)
and just lay around.
Here is the best family photo I could get with 4 dogs, 2 people and my mom taking the photo

Christmas morning..my favorite time! I got a new lens for my camera..I love it and it makes a world of difference. Jason got a wine fridge. And we got some other things.
We start with breakfastI call this the.."Lady..if you don't stop sticking that camera in my face I am going to throw up all over you" photoGrandpa helps Boone open his first John Deere tractorCan you hear the banjos??Truflz doesn't understand why all his new toys have to go up on a table (even though we repeatedly told him it was b/c all his cousins were over to play and they would eat his toys)

My sister's new horse, Roo, in his shiny new leather halterAnd then..we move on to the next location (did I forget to warn you this would be a long post). Jason's neice and nephew were with their mother for Christmas day so when they came back to their dad's house we got to see them open all their presents..i.e. Jason got to play with trucks that make noise and Transformer toys.Cali liked the noisy trucks too. Those of you easily frightened..look away now.
When good dogs go bad..Now after 5 days of commotion, traveling, etc..our dogs were DONE with Christmas.And for those of you who have never met Dana..yes..she is actually asleep. She reminds me of a grandma who falls asleep sitting up in a chair.After all the mess was cleaned up.. (no dogs allowed on furniture at the in-laws house.. so Dante always had to share)And if you are wondering where Shiloh is during all this..(read: Miserable)
But not to disappoint..we did go to the ball field while in Charlotte..they weren't as active as usual but here are a few shots.


I just went out and bought a tripod for my camera too..haha!
I hope everyone had a great holiday! My New Year's is not going to be as interesting as Last year....but I feel sure 2009 will bring some great memories!

Farewell, Ally Momma

We will miss you sweet Ally. I am glad to have met you and it was an honor to spend time with you. We will all miss you...but we will never forget you.

Lil Ally 12/22/98-12/16/08

Winter play date

Saturday was a greyhound filled day. First thing in the morning, I met the hauler to pick up Hugo from D'Arcy kennels. His trainer just loves this boy and asked us to take him and find him a forever home. I had him for the day and then he went on to his hopeful forever home
Then we took all the kids to TWO meet and Greets! First we went to VAGA's meet and greet in Petsmart and then to GPA's meet and greet at Stony Point mall. Can you feel the Christmas spirit?

Kristen and Gyeong had come down to meet Stella's brother, My CPA now Max, who lives in Richmond and was adopted through GPA a few years ago. Gyeong will post photos on his blog I feel sure. But after all the meeting and greeting, we went back to our house with Nerice to let the dogs have some fun.
Stanley with the beehive..


Cali says Stanley's time with her favorite toy is UP!
Nerice gives Dolly a shot at the toyCali gives Nerice a stern warning for taking HER toy!Pippi and Dolly playI like this shot of Dana and Stanley posing!In one week, we pack up the kids and load the rack sack to head south for the holidays. I can't believe it is almost Christmas. I think this week's holiday parties at work will help get me in the spirit. Happy Holidays, everyone!!!

Chilly and Cali's 2nd day of work

Now that I have gotten my blog back from the hijacker..we can talk about something besides Cali..well..at least for a moment.
Another Thanksgiving has come and gone, but this year we actually stayed at home and didn't travel! The first time ever. And since this was Jason's first Thanksgiving in which he got to cook the meal by himself..we went all out! No turkey..our guests enjoyed 10lbs of prime rib..vegetarians..look away!
And then..you know when you go to a local festival and there is a band playing that consists of a bunch of old guys in hawaiian shirts trying to sing Abba and the Beach Boys? Well..we had a moment like that after Thanksgiving dinner and a few bottles of wine. On the mic is Bruce (Hemi and Bella's dad) singing Spirit in the Sky with my mom and Jason on guitar and Kristen on drums. I wish I had figured out my cell phone takes videos before this occurred..it was great.
And now we have Chilly for a few weeks. He is a funny boy who reminds me of Stanley. He seems to be in love with Dana..Cali says it is because he likes the 'big chicks'..I told her that was rude. ;-)
Chilly is on his back more than anything else.and I couldn't resist taking these photos the other day. Jason apparently gives the dogs lots of treats during the day. He can't go in to the kitchen without Dana running in rooing her head off. Her tail is too fast to be photographed! And Cali had her SECOND day of wurk..er..work this week. We went to the nursing home/hospice of the VA hospital this time. We visited people in their rooms for about 1 1/2 hours. She did so well. I really think this is her 'calling'. She just walks right in to the room and right up to the people. She is learning to walk up to beds when the people can't lean over. She has the wheelchairs down pat, but still confused when the person doesn't gesture for her to come over. But she really seems to enjoy it ..even the rough petting and jerky motions. We are going back in two weeks for another visit. I am hoping to visit all the units and then pick which two she does best at and do those each month.
I probably will never have photos of her in action b/c I have to get a release form from any patients I photograph. I am goign to try it soon...but didn't want too the first few times. Here she is arriving at the VA hospital (this time I went home at lunch and brought her back)..ready to go!And this is her on the way home..POOPED!Maybe I will let her blog about her next session.
Happy Holidays!