Christmas Time

Here are some pictures from our home in the last 2 weeks....

Kati making sure the tree is perfect

Kati looking pretty

Sisters who love each other

Maybe??

Beautiful Tayler

Adorable Kaylin
The entire family

Perfectionist Kati making sure the tree is perfect

Now she's happy

And all the excitement wore Marmalade out. Luckily her favorite napping spot has been put back up. Where will she nap when Christmas is over?

Purdy

My parents beloved Purdy passed away yesterday. She was a miniature schnauzer, but there was nothing miniature about her! She was just 1 month shy of her 20th birthday. Yes, she was almost 20 years old. She was the boss in my parents house, lovingly called the "Queen Bitch". She ran things and she knew it. She would often push my dad right out of his recliner and not let him back. He would go sit on the couch and let her have the chair.

Harley and Hagen loved her. Harley would act so gentle with her, and wouldn't mess with her. It's like he knew she was the Queen Bitch. My parents kept the boys while we were on vacation. During that week, Harley slowly started to realize he could play with her and not hurt her. She would give it back to him as good as she got it. But he was always gentle with her, allowing her to pin him down. She kept the boys in line, that's for sure! She kept the entire family in line. We will all miss her terribly.

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who’ve been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Toys for Tots Motorcycle run

This past Saturday, my parents and Bryan and I participated in a Marine Corp Toys for Tots Motorcycle Run. It started at a VFW post in McKinney. The ride wound through the country and was about 40 miles long. There was a great turn out - if we had to guess we would say 200 or so motorcycles. It was a great ride, and for an even better cause. Here are some pictures of the day...

Ready to go...
My mom and dad...ready to go...

Tigger ready for the ride
About 200 or so bikes

And the Marine Hummer blaring music

Mom's ready to go

We are ready

And we're off...

Motorcycles behind us as far as you can see...

And motorcycles in front of us as far as you can see

We need help!!

This is Harley, I'm speaking for me and Hagen, we are taking over the family blog from our mom. She needs an intervention. First, she took us to get our hair cut, which wasn't so bad. Hagen was looking kinda shaggy. I like going to the groomer, she is at our vets office. And we all know they love me there! I get plenty of attention, as it should be. Hagen isn't so fond of it though. He doesn't like anyone to touch his beard, so they have to sedate him in order to groom him. It's funny actually, he acts goofy while sedated. Anyway, when mom came to get us, the sedation hadn't worn off Hagen yet, so he was walking all kinds of funny. His legs weren't working right. I laughed, mom did not.

I know...I look good.

Hey baby....how you doin?

Here's Hagen, not feeling well yet.

His ears are down - still not well yet.

But we finally agreed to 1 group shot. But that is it.

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Ok, here is where the intervention comes in. When we woke up last Friday morning, dummy Hagen was shaking like he was in the Antartic. So mom thought he was sooo cold. She then had the bright idea that we needed sweaters. I fully blame our human grandparents, they have sweaters for their schnauzers, which gave our mom the idea. Anyway, she went out that day, Black Friday even, and spent her hard earned money on these dumb sissy sweaters. She couldn't find anything better to buy? The biggest shopping day of the year (so I heard on tv) and she chooses to buy us yarn? And to make matters even worse, once she put them on us, they all laughed...and laughed...and took pictures...and started chanting "Barky Von Schnauzer.....Barky Von Schnauzer". Can you imagine? I think that commercial should be banned, I wonder if we can get a petition going. Anyway, here are the humiliating pictures. I knew she'd post them, so I thought I'd post them first and tell everyone our story. If anyone can talk some sense into the crazy lady - please do!! We have lost all of our street cred in the 'hood. Suki, the boxer next door has been laughing for days now. I think I even heard him bark "Hey Mr. Rogers...can I be your friend?" It can't get much worse.

Are you kidding us??

Butt straps....it has butt straps.

Stop laughing at me...I'm not Barky Von Schnauzer.

Stars game on Friday night

I acquired tickets to a Dallas Stars game on Friday night. They were great seats (for those of you keeping score at home...Section 107, Row R...that is center ice - 17 rows up). We were behind the penalty box - and about 4 rows in front of all of the tv cameras. I took Tayler and my niece Mandie. Of course Bryan and Kati were both gone, so they couldn't go.

We had a blast! They were playing the Colorado Avalanche. And of course, I was seated next to an Avalanche fan. And Tayler took it upon herself to antagonize the middle aged drunk Avalanche fan. He was one of those who took it way too seriously also, even throwing his program in the air when the Stars scored. All in all it was a great night! And the Stars won 6-1. We couldn't have asked for a better game to attend.

2 teenage girls and downtown Dallas on a Friday night...

That could be a recipe for disaster! But, it wasn't. After the Stars game, Mandie, Tayler and I drove around downtown. Near the AAC, in the Victory Square area, we found this park of trees that were all outlined in beautiful blue lights. So we had to park and take pictures. After that, we proceeded into downtown and Dealey Plaza. We parked again and got out to walk around the plaza. I showed the girls the 6th floor, where JFK was shot, and the grassy knoll. See..it was an educational trip also. Here are some of the pictures from our night...

Dealey Plaza and the reflection pools

Another in Dealey plaza

Can you see the 2nd shooter on the grassy knoll behind them??

There is the 6th floor