Christmas Part 2

The day started out like any normal day, except Mommy got up early to start making dinner (or so I thought). Mom has cooked in the crock pot before (and I know it can be an all day process) so I thought nothing of it.

But, after Mommy and Daddy took their showers, Mommy started packing-up dinner and all of the Christmas cookies. Then, Dad took them to the car. He also brought my crate down from the bedroom - so I figured we must be going somewhere. I thought maybe we were going back to Grandma and Grandpa's...but we weren't in the car that long.

Instead, we went to Aunt Angie's house for the Ring family Christmas (you know, I could get use to having two Christmas').

My cousin Clyde met me at the door. I was so happy to see someone I could relate to (size wise - and he happens to be another Havanese).



I was so excited. Everyone was there...Madison, Matthew, Brenton, Jacob, Abigail, Sam, Natalie, Eleanor, Caroline, Grace and Callie! Grandpa, Mary Pat and GG (Great Grandma) were also there.

Guess what? There were also more presents to open under the tree.

There were so many presents that I had to stay out of every one's way when they opened them. Here I am with Daddy (see the big snowman behind me...I have a new friend).



They all got some pretty nice gifts...everything from MP3 players to High School Musical trivia games (you didn't know I was up on all of this did you?) to lotions to new snow suits...they pretty much got it all. They really had a lot of fun opening their presents.











Oh yeah, Mommy and Daddy got some presents too. They played some game (I certainly didn't get the rules - but everyone seemed to have fun). They got some really nice gifts.



Before I left, I wanted to make sure I got a picture of everyone (I also made sure I was in the picture too)!



I had such a great time, but all good things must come to an end. Mommy and Daddy said it was time to go home. And boy, I was so exhausted by the time I got home, I had to have Mommy work on my blog entry tonight (Of course, I told her what I wanted to say). I was too tired...I needed to get some rest.

My Christmas Story

Hi everyone. Christmas has come and gone...and now that I have caught up on my sleep, I can tell you about my Christmas.

Sunday, December 23, 2007
The day began with Mommy baking Daddy's favorite cookie (the one with the Hershey Kiss on top). They sure did look good, but I can't have any. Mommy and Daddy tell me chocolate will make me really sick. I don't want to get sick - so I am fine with not having one.

Mommy and Daddy told me that I would need to rest-up for our long trip to Grandma and Grandpa's house. No problem - I like to sleep! Mommy and Daddy seemed to be gone for a long time. When they got home, they told me it was really snowing outside. The weather man said we were only going to get some flurries - but we got about 4 inches of snow! Mommy and Daddy tell me that you cannot always trust the weather man.



Monday, December 24, 2007
Finally, we are going to Grandma and Grandpa's house. This was a new adventure for me. I have been on longer car rides before, but none like this.

First, Daddy stopped at the gas station. I have never been to a gas station. So, the smells and other people spooked me. But, I felt much better when Daddy got back in the car.

A little while later, Mommy and Daddy stopped to get something to eat. And, they let me stretch my legs. I didn't have to go potty, but I did enjoy being out of the car.

I eventually slept most of the way to Grandma and Grandpa's. And boy, was it a long trip...about 4.5 hours.

But, Grandma and Grandpa were so excited to see me. And, do you know what, Aunt Kristin and Uncle Eugene were there too! I was so excited. I just knew I was going to meet my cousin Jackson. I was sad when I learned he did not come to Grandma and Grandpa's house. I guess he doesn't travel as well as I do. I sure did want to meet him. But, Kristin and Eugene told me that he was going to have a very nice Christmas.



I couldn't believe how many presents were under the tree at Grandma and Grandpa's house. And, the tree wasn't in a separate room with doors (like at Mommy and Daddy's) so I could sniff and play with all of the packages under the tree. I was particularly fond of one that was for Mommy (it was a GPS unit from Kristin and Eugene - I didn't tell her I knew what it was).







Mommy eventually had to take the present away from me. She was afraid I would spoil the surprise - of what was inside. Plus, she said I needed to get some rest. She said the next day we would open all of the presents under the tree.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Christmas was finally here. I slept very well! When I got up, only Grandpa was up. He said we had to wait to open gifts - Grandma, Kristin and Eugene were still sleeping. I couldn't wait. I was hoping that some of the presents under the tree were for me.

Well, it seemed like forever, but finally, everyone was awake. We could now open presents. Daddy put me on my leash so I wouldn't get too crazy! Grandpa kept saying "that's bold" whenever he would open a gift. I didn't know what that meant. Daddy told me that is what Grandpa says when he really likes something. That made me happy because he said that when he opened the present from Jackson and I (the entire James Bond DVD collection)! Grandpa also got a few other DVDs including Ice Road Truckers (one of Mommy's favorite shows).



There were so many presents to open. I think everyone got what they wanted.



Oh yeah - Uncle Eugene got a really cool mouse pad (apparently it is some accessory for the computer - who knew). It has Jackson's picture on it! Mommy also got a refrigerator magnet of Jackson! Now, Mommy will have to get one of me!

Daddy got some cool gifts too. He got a Dart Board for the basement and he got "A Christmas Story" monopoly game. That is Daddy's favorite Christmas movie...hence the title of my blog entry today. Thank god for TNT - they run a 24-hour marathon of the Christmas story. I watched it with Daddy. Later, everyone played the Monopoly game! Aunt Kristin won.





I got some presents too! Jackson gave me some new toys (and a gift card? to get whatever I wanted). Grandma and Grandpa gave me a new toy and some treats. And, Santa did come visit me at Grandma and Grandpa's! He have me a new bumble bee toy and The DaVinci code movie! I love that movie - how did he know? He is good.



Opening presents was so exhausting. I fell asleep under the tree.



I hope all of you had a fantastic Christmas (like I did). Here are some more photos!

Christmas is Coming...

It snowed yesterday! I love the snow. But, yesterday, it was exceptionally beautiful...Mommy says that's because it rained before it snowed and the branches on the trees froze before the snow started to fall. The trees reminded me of the picture frame Mommy and Daddy have on the coffee table.

Here I am watching the snow fall (and by the way...it is snowing again this morning). Good thing the snow blower repair man called Daddy and let him know it had been fixed. Daddy and Chad, our neighbor, are going to pick it up this afternoon.




I also went to get a haircut yesterday. Mommy said I needed to look all nice and spiffy for my trip to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Mommy says we are going there for Christmas. I hope Santa knows we are going to be there...and I hope he brings me my peanut butter bones.



After I got home from the groomer, I needed to take a rest (it takes a lot out of me). So, I climbed up into Daddy's favorite chair to catch a few zzz's.



Mommy and Daddy eventually put me in my bed. They went to the Holidazzle parade downtown. And, in true Mommy fashion, she forgot to take the camera. But, it sounded like it was really fun (an extremely cold). They said there were lots of new floats and a lot of bright lights (and kids waiting for Santa).

My New Coat

Mommy and Daddy took me for a walk yesterday (finally - I had been cooped-up on the house for a long time). Mommy said I couldn't go outside unless I put my new coat on (you see, my Mommy worries about me getting too cold. Daddy has to keep reminding her that I have fur - and it keeps me warm). So, Daddy put on my new coat and we were on our way.

There was a lot of snow on the ground (I didn't mind - the sidewalks were pretty clear). There weren't a lot of people out. Mommy says that is because it was too cold. I wasn't cold at all (don't tell Mommy, but I know my new coat kept me warmer than if I didn't have a coat on at all). And, you know what, I think I looked pretty darn cute in my new coat.

Distinguished Graduate

I graduated from puppy class this week (and with honors, if I do say so myself). Mommy and Daddy had been working with me on all the things I learned in class (and a few tricks too) the week leading up to graduation night. Now, I know why. I had to show my instructor, Heather, how far I had come since the first class.



Much to Mommy and Daddy's surprise, I did everything Heather asked (including the tricks Mommy and Daddy thought I couldn't do). But, I was super tired after my test. I waited patiently while all of my friends showed Heather what they had learned too.



All of my friends did great! I asked Mommy if she could take a picture of all of us - so I could always remember how much fun I had in class.



I also asked Mommy to take a picture with my special friend Jack. Jack and I sat next to each other in class every week. I really like Jack. I am always excited to see Jack (and I think he is excited to see me too). We loved to play with each other during class (sometimes I think we were both a distraction to each others learning - but we were just having fun).





Mommy and Daddy were so proud of me. They gave me a special treat when I got home (a peanut butter bone - the ones I really want Santa to bring me for Christmas).

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Meet my new friend, Santa! Mommy and Daddy took me to meet Santa. I thought we were going to puppy class because Santa was at the same place I go to class (funny, I haven't seen him there before). There were lots of puppies getting their pictures taken (and kids too). Santa said I was his favorite of the day because I was so nice and I didn't fidget at all!

I told Santa I wanted more peanut butter bones for Christmas (he said he thought he could swing it since I have been a really good puppy all year).

Happy Birthday...

Today is my Daddy's 40th birthday! Mommy says this is a milestone birthday (I really don't know what that means, but I'll go with it). Mommy gave Daddy some cool presents this morning including a watch box and the entire collection of the Scrubs television series. Daddy was so excited. And, tonight, Mommy is taking Daddy to his favorite restaurant - Manny's. Daddy says he is going to try and eat his weight in steak (I'm not so sure about that). Mommy insisted Daddy take a picture with me to mark the occasion. Here I am with Daddy.



But in case you have forgotten how cute I am, here are a couple of more pictures of me!

The Weather Outside is...

As the song says, frightful!

It is the first snow of the season...and my first time seeing snow! Mommy and Daddy were so excited to take me outside to play in the snow. And, you know me, I love to go outside.

But, I wasn't so sure about this white stuff (even thought it looked white and fluffy like me)!

I sniffed it at first and it stuck to my nose. It tasted like water - so I thought - why not?





The only downside to the snow is the cold! Daddy had to pick me up to help me stop shivering (as you can tell from the look on Daddy's face - he was cold too)!



I was so cold that we needed to come inside. Daddy said he would take me out when the snow stopped falling. I can't wait!

In the meantime, Mommy wrapped me up in a warm towel to dry me off.