Holiday Happenings and pictures....

[Glacier]

Ok, Phred, quit nagging me, I'll post some pictures! :p :D Since I haven't posted for a long time, except about Preacher, this could take awhile!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Glacier1998/scenery06/lights3.jpg
The Northern Lights have been spectacular this month.

Preacher died on December 21, Solstice will never be the same for me. It used to be my favorite day of the year. When you live in the far north, light coming back is a very good thing! The day after he died, I was booked to go see my family for a few days. I did not feel like going, but my nieces were a good distraction. Kids are far too busy to worry about a dog they've never met. In five days we went:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Glacier1998/scenery06/nomiski.jpg
Downhill skiing
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Glacier1998/scenery06/hannahskat.jpg
Skating repeatedly
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Glacier1998/scenery06/emmasled.jpg
Sliding, again repeatedly!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Glacier1998/scenery06/emmabike.jpg
Emma even found a way to keep riding her bike in the winter.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Glacier1998/scenery06/grankids.jpg
Christmas even my entire immediate family got together for the first time in years. This is my Dad with all but one of his grandkids. Jake was with his Mom for Christmas Eve. The kids range from almost 20 to almost 4.

continued in next post.....

[Glacier]

After almost missing my flight back--the airline changed the flight time without telling anyone who had booked on the web. Fortunately, my Mom is obsessively early and although, I had to sprint to the gate, I did make the flight. The critters survived Stuart messing up their routine.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Glacier1998/Dogs%202006/anniewaits.jpg
Anvik was probably the happiest to see me again. He is a Momma's boy to his core.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Glacier1998/Sled%20dogs/06/teamdec30.jpg
The dogs hadn't been run for a week so they were wild and rarin' to go!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Glacier1998/Sled%20dogs/06/sunshine.jpg
There has been lots of this going on for the past few days, including taking several customers out for tours.

On December 30, we hosted our second annual crib tournament:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Glacier1998/scenery06/cribtourny.jpg
There were a couple dozen players and at least as many spectators.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Glacier1998/scenery06/fire.jpg
Tournament was followed by a huge bonefire.

still more coming....

[Glacier]

Yesterday we met some friends at the lake for sledding, skidooing, and another fire!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Glacier1998/Dogs%202006/earleharness.jpg
Earle and I skijored down to the gathering!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Glacier1998/Dogs%202006/earletable-1.jpg
Earle made himself right at home immediately!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Glacier1998/Dogs%202006/nokle.jpg
And he made a new friend, Nike, a Belgian Shepherd.

Afterwards everyone came to our place for a bit.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Glacier1998/scenery06/austinearle.jpg
Earle fell in love with our friends' daughter!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Glacier1998/Dogs%202006/founderfire.jpg
Founder enjoyed getting warm by a New Year's Eve bonfire. Now I have to go finish making dinner. We have company coming in a couple hours for a ham supper! I think y'all are caught up now!

[chocolatepuppy]

It looks like you've been very busy! I'm glad you had a good time and I'll bet your pups are very glad you're home. :)

[dukedogsmom]

Such great pics! You live in such a beautiful area. I would love to see the Northern lights in person. That is amazing. It was good to see Earle again. And I think my most favorite pic would have to be of smiling Anvik. I hope that warmed your heart a little. I know it must be feeling very empty with your losses. I'll bet you're glad you went, after all. The family pic was great. It's nice that everyone got together. And give that Founder some lovin' from me.

[cmayer31]

The Northern Lights are amazing! It's always nice to spend time with the family during the holidays and it looked like everyone enjoyed. I would get a kick out of living someplace where the water actually froze and I could skate outside; I had to check to make sure your niece really did have hockey skates on. Around here it seems only the sons get to wear hockey skates, and the daughters all get stuck in figure skates, but it's also mostly rental stuff anyhow.

I can never get enough of sledding pictures, so it's really great to see you posting them again. I laughed at Anvik's picture, he's so excited to see you again.

[Bengalz]

Happy New Year to you, Stuart and the entire northern fur family :D I hope the new year is less stressful for you and the kids stay healthy :)

Your holiday pictures were great and hopefully just the prescription you needed. After all of your losses in 2006 and then saying goodbye to Preacher, you must have felt drained. Lots can be said about family, however, they do have a way of rejuvenating an ailing heart ;) Your dear Dad knows what he's doing bringing his clan together during the holidays - it's very heartwarming :)

Thanks so much for the update and have a fantastic 2007 :D

Betty

[cyber-sibes]

Welcome back Tamara! I've been wondering how you were doing. I have a feeling Preacher had an idea that if he timed his departure right, you would have so many other things to do, he could just look in on you from the bridge & not have you sitting around all mopey about him ;) . My gosh, looks like you had a great time with your family and friends! Good to see Earle in harness, he must be feeling al lot better. And that look on Annie's face...pure love! What a sweetheart! The northern lights are fantastic! On rare occasions we get to see them down here, but they pale next to what you see! Beautiful photos! Your snow is so pretty, we are still waiting for some snow here. (taps foot, looks at the sky) Nothing but rain this year so far.
Hugs & belly rubs to all of your pack from ours. :)

[captain]

My whole life I have wanted to see the northern lights.
I will have to let my hubbie know that I think ...... :D
Just gentle reminders - and you never know Tamara, I may come to YOUR gate ... :D

Great pics - but this .......... made me snort my coffee!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Glacier1998/Dogs%202006/anniewaits.jpg

[Dorothy39]

Glacier,

You really gave us such a fun filled family up date!!!!!~

We got to see The Northern Lights a few years ago~ But, Nothing like what you guys get to see!! And, I agree, being with some kids during The Holiday can be such a stress reliever~ All the sledding, skating , skiing with Christmas in the Air, had to keep you so busy every minute you were there!!!

It's great to see your Sled dogs Harnessed Up again, I really like those Winter Pictures of them, especially the one with Advik looking back at you while you snap the camera!!!!


Thank-You so Much for Showing us that Picture of Your Dad with all the Grand Kids!!!!!!

[finn's mom]

Those look like some happy kids! That photo of the fire is gorgeous! And I have never seen the northern lights, but, I've always wanted to. The photo you captured is beautiful, thank you for sharing!

[BC_MoM]

Those are some very beautiful photos. I could feel the warmth in all of them. Thanks for sharing them with us. :)

[Laura's Babies]

I have 3 words for these pictures...AWESOME! AWESOME! AWESOME!!

[Alysser]

Those pics were great! You had a VERY busy holiday it seems, but also a very nice one surrounded by family. Thank you for sharing those pics.

[Sara luvs her Tinky]

OH WOW! I would love to be able to see the Northern lights in person!! How beautiful !!

I love the pictures of the pups ready to go sledding!! All the doggie bottoms!

Great pictures of you family too! I bet your Dad was thrilled to have almost all his grandkids over!

[Queen of Poop]

Wonderful to have an update on you and the family. Love the photo of Anvik, he's such a cutie, as is Earle.

Every time I see the northern lights now I will think of Preacher and that he timed his passing with them so that we will never forget him and will always think of him when we see them. Wow, what a run on sentence!!! :)

I am glad you had a good holiday and that the doggies managed to make it thru with Stuart looking after them (of course they did!).

[ramanth]

Great photos Tamara! Looks like you had a good holiday. :)

[Barbara]

What great photos- they really take you into the action.

Some weeks ago they warned us here we could have Northern lights (in the last years they have been seen even as far South as we are). I was driving home and we had a spectacular sunset changing into a very clear night but I didn't see any Northern lights :(

I love that picture of Anvik- looks as if he really smiles at you happy to have you back :)

[Sonia59]

Great pictures! I enjoyed seeing them all: family, doggies...Thanks for sharing :)
This Northern lights seem very spectacular. I have seen one in Finland some years ago, it was just white and not so big but still very beautiful when you are not used to see them.

[Glacier]

I have a feeling Preacher had an idea that if he timed his departure right, you would have so many other things to do, he could just look in on you from the bridge & not have you sitting around all mopey about him ;) .

Good to see Earle in harness, he must be feeling al lot better.

I am quite sure that Preacher knew he was leaving and picked his time, not only for my sake. I had a communicator talk to him about 18 months ago. He told her that he was tired, but he couldn't go yet because I was worried about another dog. Paxil was battling cancer then. If he had left earlier, Franklin wouldn't have been able to function. He waited until Franky was confident enough to get by without his protection.

Earle is feeling better. The pancreatitis is chronic now. His lipase levels are double what they should be and it appears that's where they are staying. He has to eat a low fat diet for the rest of his life to avoid triggering another attack. His personality is back to normal.


I would get a kick out of living someplace where the water actually froze and I could skate outside; I had to check to make sure your niece really did have hockey skates on.

Hannah hated the toe picks. They got in her way! That skating rink is actually in their back yard. My sister's boyfriend flooded part of the yard and built them a rink.

[lizbud]

Loved the pictures. Looks like a happy group of family. I am glad you got
to get away for awhile with your folks. How does Franklin do now without
Preacher around?

[shais_mom]

great pics Tamara! :)
I'm so happy you got to spend the week with your family!
Enjoy 2007! {{hugs}}

[Glacier]

How does Franklin do now without
Preacher around?


Franklin is doing alright. In the yard and in harness, he acts normally. In the house he seems a little down sometimes. He seems to look for him in the house. We both keep stopping and looking at Preacher's bed in the porch. I still can't walk through there without starting to say "it's just me, buddy." (Preacher was blind and didn't like being startled so we always announced ourselves when walking by his bed). Franklin goes in the porch, looks at the bed for minute and then comes to me, like he wants me to explain where his buddy is. :(

[lizbud]

Franklin is doing alright. In the yard and in harness, he acts normally. In the house he seems a little down sometimes. He seems to look for him in the house. We both keep stopping and looking at Preacher's bed in the porch. I still can't walk through there without starting to say "it's just me, buddy." (Preacher was blind and didn't like being startled so we always announced ourselves when walking by his bed). Franklin goes in the porch, looks at the bed for minute and then comes to me, like he wants me to explain where his buddy is. :(


I'm glad to hear that Franklin does ok for the most part.I think some dogs
seem to develope a quiet inner strength.They can understand without words.
((Hugs))

[Cinder & Smoke]

:D




OK, Phred, quit nagging me, I'll post some pictures! :p :D

:p
Mission Accomplished! :)

You've had a "ruff" Fall and early Winter ... for which we all offer our Sympathies ...

But we rejoice in your resilience and ability to move on ... Enjoying Life!

You keep on *snappin* & Posting - we'll keep on reading & EnJoying ---
and ebberbuddie will be HAPPIE!!
(And I won't have to NAG!)

WELCOME Back - and
Happy NEW Year to You & Stuart!!

Sent with *Love* & {{{Hugs}}}!!

[anna_66]

Tamara, I'm glad that Phred nagged ya if it means we get to see such spectacular pictures:p

I've only seen the Northern Lights once in my life and it was the most awesome thing ever! I'm so glad you posted a picture, it looks amazing.

What a nice distraction this trip was for you. Preacher did pick the most perfect time to leave. I'm so glad you were able to have such a good time with your family.

Thanks again for sharing all these wonderful pictures with us!!!

[gemini9961]

Tamara those are great pics. My condolences again on Preacher. I always love reading your posts and seeing your pics (I think everyone does). I'm glad your holiday season was good considering the circumstances and happy new year to you and Stuart. :)