A Long Overdue Post...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas...ours were very busy and fairly eventful throughout, hence the sudden and lengthy disappearance. I've been intending to come back and post something, anything, before now just to let those know that have been asking if everything was well that yes, all is well. Time on the computer for the last month has been very scarce, and, shockingly, I've taken few photos of my pups during this time as well. There have just been other things that have taken over our time for the last several weeks.

All is very well in our household. In fact, my husband and I found out around Thanksgiving that we're expecting our first child, so it's been a very exciting time for us recently. Many many changes to come over the next several months, but we're both happy about it all and ready to experience those changes as they come. I keep being told how happy and joyful I look lately, so apparently pregnancy suits me. And my husband has become sweeter than ever.  :)  I don't think the dogs have noticed much of a difference yet, but I'm sure at some point they'll realize something's changing.

In addition to all the activity and busy-ness that comes around the holidays, we had a health scare or two in the family (from probably not-going-to-make-it to wonderful recovery, thank the Lord), and a little unwanted family drama that we'll continue to see how it all eventually plays out. Definitely not my favorite parts of the holiday season this year, but overall it was a wonderful time.

The dogs are doing great as always. Unlike the previous two years, our dogs did not accompany us to our parents' houses for the holidays. We once again live within easy driving distance to both, so stopping back by to let the dogs out, feed them, and give each some attention in between visits wasn't hard to do. That, and carrying three dogs around, plus their crates, was just more than we really wanted to deal with (especially after last year's fiasco with the huskies' escape from their crate and later dance in a big cow-made muddy "pond," ugh). The dogs had extra treats/bones for the holidays and got along just fine without making any trips out and about.

My husband and I continue to hope for snow before winter is gone. We still have a few months yet, so there's always still a chance it'll come. It's been a pretty mild season so far, with temps see-sawing all over the place, but never low enough to accommodate the right mix of conditions for snow. We're not asking for a blizzard (that sort of thing is pretty rare in these parts anyway), but just enough snow to let our dogs pull us (or my husband, that is) around the yard some. We both think they'd really enjoy that, especially the huskies. Isabella has played in the snow, during her first Christmas, but Jake and Champ have yet to see or experience it (for photos of Isabella in the snow, click here and here).

Well, that sums up our holiday season pretty well...I will try to get back into blogging regularly from this point on, but I make no promises as to how often "regular" will be for now.

I wish all my fellow bloggers a wonderful New Year's...and hope your holiday was a great one. Stay safe out there!

Last but not least, I leave you with a few photos of the pups on a (fairly) recent playdate with Molly...

Four-Legged Football Fans

Molly isn't the only one that likes to watch football games on the weekends.

Sometimes Sasha shows up, too.

It doesn't hurt that there's always kids running about, more than happy to show a couple of friendly dogs some love on the sidelines.

Watching the Football Game

 I believe I got in Molly's way during this shot, lol...

Most fall Saturdays for an hour or so I'm outside watching -- and snapping MANY pictures of-- my husband and friends playing in a recreational football league. Molly's "dad" is one of those friends, and sometimes Molly comes out to show her support. Of course I can't resist snapping a few photos of her in between plays on the field...  :)

I used to bring Isabella to these games when she was a little puppy, back before she pulled much on her leash and I didn't take near the amount of photos I do now. She always got plenty of attention, especially from any kids playing on the sidelines. Unfortunately, as I got more serious about taking photos during my husband's game, and Isabella grew bigger and stronger...and we got Jake...bringing her became less and less of an option. So these days, while I'm out snapping photos for the team, the huskies chill at home, always ready for my return and their subsequent free-for-all playtime in the yard.

More Shots From Recent Playdate

"Toss Around" Frisbee

 Isabella's favorite game is keep-away from Jake.

 When Jake does get it, he likes to keep an eye out for sister.

 The game never gets old.

 Isabella will usually return it to me, tug with it some, then is ready to go fetch it again.

 Jake insists on carrying it back together sometimes, much to his sister's annoyance.

 Did I mention how they like to share?

 Occasionally Jake makes it there first (or Isabella tires of it).

But soon enough, Isabella's back in the game of playing keep-away from Jake.

This "Toss Around" frisbee is my huskies' new favorite outside toy. It gets thrown and flies like a frisbee, has three perfect spots for holding (or in Isabella's case, tugging holds), and has a squeaky ball in the middle which I'm sure Jake will eventually conquer when I'm not looking for long enough. 

I don't let either of them sit and play with it on their own for long, because they become intent on de-stuffing and de-squeaking it almost immediately. It already bears the scars of sharp teeth intent on getting into its center. It gets put up out of reach when I'm not outside with them. They really enjoy this toy, so I'm all for prolonging its life for as long as I can.  :)

Molly enjoyed it when she was last over, too. It's an all-around winner!

Star-Shaped Cookies

My friend Heather (Molly's "mom") made these star-shaped cookies for the doggie crew the other day, and they gobbled them up. Here's the recipes for both kinds, in case you're in the creating mood:

Beef & Cheddar:

1 cup oats

1/3 cup butter in chunks

1 cup boiling water

3/4 cup cornmeal

2 teaspoons sugar

2 beef bouillon cubes...disolved

1/2 cup milk

1 cup shredded cheddar

1 egg

3 cups flour

Pour boiling water over oats and butter.  Let sit until butter is melted.  Add cornmeal, sugar, beef, milk, cheese and egg.  Mix together.  Add in flour until the dough is able to be rolled out.  Cut into shapes and bake at 325 for 35-45 minutes or until browned on the bottom. 

Peanut Butter & Banana:

1 mashed banana

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 cup oats

1/2 cup applesauce

1 1/4 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together and bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until browned. 

 

Recent Playdate

The morning started off with our two...

Then Molly arrived to get the party started...

And after a couple of hours of running around, Sasha joined the crowd...

All slept soundly that night (at their respective houses).  :)

For  more photos on Isabella and Jake's playdate with Molly and Sasha, visit my Dog Days II gallery.


*More about Isabella and Jake's fun new toys in a later post.*

Estatic Molly

Some photos really need no words...  :)

Afternoon in the Park with Molly

A Walk in the Park

A few weeks ago, before the heat index went off the charts, I took my huskies to a nearby state park to walk for a bit, along with my friend and Molly. The dogs had a blast exploring and walking, and enjoyed taking a dip in and drinking from the creek that followed our trail. These shots are from the end of our walk. As they say, tired dogs are good dogs... :)

I've taken my dogs once more since then, before the temps went up. Sadly, we won't be able to take them for a walk like that again till the fall, because the temps and humidity are just too much around here during the summer. The temps dipped a few days ago, and I would have loved to have taken them that day, but unfortunately I'm recovering from a broken toe, so there was no way it was going to happen. I have to be 100% mind and body to take these two on an outing to the park.  :)

Brown Eyes

Visited friends the other night and saw Molly-- she's always so excited to see company. Furiously wagging tail and jumping around, trying to contain her excitement-- she's so cute. Such pretty brown eyes, don't you think?

That's So Funny!

Ready for Their Closeups

Moments That Make Me Smile (and Laugh)

"Hand over the toys and nobody has to get hurt..."

Jake and his many funny faces...

Her yawn makes her look a little crazy, doesn't it?  :)

Goofy-looking Chief is having a blast.

New buddies Molly and Chief.

View many more shots of all the dogs playing together in my Dog Days gallery.