1. Since last week was a holiday I got to spend some wonderful time with a bunch of extend family, after the whole count I came up with
2 parents
2 grandparents
1 sister
1 brother-in-law
3 uncles
2 aunts
2 nieces and nephews
3 first cousins
2 first cousins-in-law
2 first cousins once removed
2 second cousins once removed
1 partridge in a pear tree.
My mom hosts the festivities and my sister and her family and I always stay there. In addition to the family, this year between her dogs, my dogs, my sister's dogs, the relative's dogs, and dogs my mom was house-sitting we also had ten dogs at my parents house. They all got along great and just wandered around in a a pack. My dogs love visiting, we get to do lots of hiking in the mountains. One of the days my dad and brother-in-law had to go get a freezer so Mom and my sister and I hiked without them. Between the three of us we had 8 dogs and two kids on the walk. Usually most of the dogs go off leash so it's not a big deal, but that morning we encountered a herd of cattle, so everyone had to go back on the leashes. My 5 year old niece even pitched in, walking my easygoing bullett dog (who wasn't likely to drag her across the countryside after a cow). You can't see all the dogs in this picture, but maybe you'll get the idea.
2. I love advent! Advent, almost more than Christmas, is my favorite time of year; so much good stuff happening, bracketed on both ends with family time. I successfully brought back another pinon tree from New Mexico, and many thanks to Mike who let me take his car (which has a tie down rack on top), and who even put up my Christmas lights for me while I was gone. Hooray! New this year, I pulled out some pompom trim from my stash (thanks Georgia!) and I think it gives a fun feeling to the tree.
3. Here is Bentley looking totally abandoned and forlorn, just for good measure. In case you were wondering, he had just come back from a nice walk and breakfast, so the puppy dog eyes are just a ruse.
4. My Christmas cactus blooms are starting to open! Yay!
Thanks as always to LeeAnna for linking us up and I hope you guys had a lovely holiday!
dogs, christmas trees, puppy eyes of contentment. we all like a long stimulating walk followed by a warm drink and rest in an easy chair!!! What's not to like! Glad you had such a good time, and shared it with us!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful holiday with all those dogs! I love your tree! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteHi Shannon,
ReplyDeleteThat CACTUS!!! WOWEE! Mine has only about 5 blossoms on it this year. Last year it was covered and was already done blooming by now. It can't figure it out, but I'll enjoy it either way. And how fabulous that you were able to connect with so much family for Thanksgiving?!! I love the dogs, dogs, dogs and that they were all able to get along. That walk/hike looks like a fun time . . . I can't imagine dogs running after cows. Heehee that just cracks me up for some reason. Beautiful tree - I love Advent too. And your poor forlorn and abandoned Bentley - he looks like he needs a treat and a head scratch at least. ~smile~ Roseanne
Oh dear-love your cactus. I've been trying to find a red one here! Love your big beautiful tree. mary in Az
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful Christmas tree! I love looking at people's Christmas trees. Hooray for a blooming Christmas cactus, too! Glad you got to spend Thanksgiving with all that family. Sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteYour tree is terrific! So is your Christmas cactus. I look forward to Advent, too - I need to pull the calendar out tonight! And what a great family count. Sounds like a fun time. :-)
ReplyDeleteI keep seeing Christmas Cactus and so of course I had to go find one and buy it. Gorgeous tree. I am working on mine, it is fake of course. I bought a chocolate advent calendar for the 4 year old grandson. I thought he would have fun. Your hike looks awesome.
ReplyDelete