Big shoes kiddo, Christmas at the Brook's in Lake City on the 30th ended the season for us, we had a nice visit and left with some much needed hay for the horses and firewood!

Mad Dog found a new use for her sit and spin and that being a stool, so cute and so smart.

This here is my Grandma, she is 87 and awesome!

Christmas morning at home was nice and relaxing, we exchanged gifts, ate a big breakfast and took pictures.

My sister Alesha hosted our family xmas at her new house in Harris, that was nice not to have to drive all the way to Aitkin and back along with all the other holiday running. Here the girls are with my niece and nephew Hailey and Jordan.

Here Maddy is pictured with my sister's dog Bailey, she is barely a year old. Beautiful, sweet and so patient. Maddy made sure to test her by chasing, squeeling and pulling at her tail while running behind her.

Maddy really got into the xmas gifts this year, and all around party for her, she ripped open gifts, chased the cats through the paper, wrestled with Allie and even had the cushions off Grandma's couch.

JB and me, what a hot couple!!!!!!!!!!!!

We took the girls out on the sleds with Allie's friend jouning us, we had a great time and Mad Dog loved her first ride ever!

I couldn't resist this picture the snow was on everything including the fence wire, it is so beautiful. The horses are pretty handsome too. Max is the grey in the back, Louie is in the center and Sully is on the right.

Here is Pistol with a beautiful bow, she is declining in her health continuously and we are trying to keep her safe and comfortable. She is 14 now and has had hip dysplasia and arthritis in her rear hip joints for years and is now suffering the arthritis in her shoulders. She struggles with the stairs and sometimes her hips will give out just with walking. It is hard to watch and know that soon we will see her go, but for now she is happy and loved.

Making christmas cookies is always a tradition and a favorite of Allie's, Maddy "helped" as much as she could, and loved to taste!

Allie and I attended Disney On Ice again this year and it was a great show as always. This year's theme was High School Musical which pleased Allie very much.

Maddy enjoys working on her girlish figure and here she is hard at work on the Gazelle.

Allie had a Christmas program at our church in mid-december, she had her first speaking part and did well! Here us girls enjoy some goodies and coffee following the show.

A trip to Sandgren's Tree Farm to pick out our xmas tree, Mad Dog loved the big sled.

Maddy is an outdoor lover and winter is no exception. As long as we can keep her hands warm she is happy. Here she is getting some love from our old dog Pistol.

Lazy weekend mornings don't come around every day and we take full advantage of them when we can, here Maddy and Daddy lounge in the bed.

Mad Dog is a hat lover and will make use of whatever resembles them, here she enjoys a christmas toy while wearing PJ pants on her head.

Holiday kickoff

Hello to all and sorry it has been another month since an update, that seems to be a pattern for me, maybe someday I will figure out how to expedite this and return more often. Here is Mad Dog relaxing after her Thanksgiving Dinner at Auntie Joyce's, we have so much to be thankful for. We also celebrated at Grandma Carol's for brunch and again at Grandma Emilie's for dinner on Saturday. Maddy got to meet her Auntie Joanna for the first time there as she was visiting from Cali. Ice Cream to help top off the first communion for Allie, see below for the official pics.

Allie recently took her first communion at church after some instructional classes, here we are all together.

A very grown up looking Allie. Too bad Mommy can't figure out how to rotate the photo..............

Trick-or -treat!! It didn't take long to figure out that the pumpkin=candy and that was a great thing to Maddy.

Allie and Maddy and their cousins pose for Grandpa and photos before going to the Halloween Party at a local church.

Maddy is golfing for candy here at the church party, cute little clown.

I recently took a trip to DC for work, just thought a photo of the George W. digs would be a nice intro to this update. Things in DC were like I have never experienced before with secure surroundings, awesome food and drink, and educational experiences. I was so happy to return home to my precious girls. Thanks to Grandma Em for taking such good care of them for me so I could have this experience!!!!

A trip to Lendt's Pumpkin Patch is a family tradition by about 8 years I believe, this always proves to be fun for all. This year we were joined by Grandma's Carol and Emilie, Auntie Christie,and cousin Sadie. This year was much warmer than last if I recall the hats, mittens and bitter wind and cold. We followed the event with lunch at the China Buffet and a little shopping.

Maddy, Allie and their cousin Sadie play in the corn bin at lendt's, this is a new and very exciting addition for the kids! Soon after this Allie helped drag Maddy out and there were a few tears involved.

Maddy had chosen her pumpkin during our trip to Lendt's.

Maddy exhausted after a morning in church, Mommy wishes she too could take a nap after last night.

The big kids had a little fun saturday night for Halloweeen too.

Saturday the 27th we attended the annual Halloween Costume Contest for dogs in N.B. I took the opportunity to dress Maddy too as I am a Halloween lover!! Grandma Carol, cousin Sadie and TAS the dog joined us (not pictured).

Allie is pictured here with Sam the Fire Hydrant claiming their 3rd place ribbon in the costume contest. After 4 years of trying this is our first win other than obedience competitions.

Happy Day!! these are Maddy's new words and she repeats them often. Here she is at the Halloween Dog Show at the N.B. fire hall sat the 27th.

Welcome Fall

Hi Friends, with the change in weather comes new discoveries and fun for the girls. Maddy turned 16 months old and is learning so many words and immitating more and more animal sounds, she is soooooooooo cool and Allie is so grown up and taking on new roles and responsibilities. Amazing days hardly gives them justice. Smiles and love to everyone. This is Cashie, one of our family cats, there is always a critter that wants to join in the fun and we love it.

Allie playing in the leaves with Maddy after working hard to rake them all up.

leaf piles are fun for all ages!

Maddy found her first caterpillar, not to be touched though. She watched it crawl for about 10 min.

Allie in action riding Max at the end of her Speed Dash event, she took 3rd place in about 20 riders.

Here is the gang at a horse show Al recently rode in. Allie is showing her Max, her friend Taylor is on her horse Easy. Travis rode Max too, all three kids took many placings and had a great time. JB and Mad Dog are pictured with them.

Maddy and her friend Gracie at the Apple Festival, only 5 weeks age difference! Don't worry Gracie, Mad Dog will take care of you, the N. B. school system can be tough.

The girls at the Apple Festival, this is the highlight, not the most exciting thing we have ever attended but with great people. All the grown up girls and kids met at Almelund, and later some Daddy's showed up too. Allie is the World's Best sister and is always looking after Maddy and finding fun things to do with her.

Hair down for those of you who have only seen the ponies, making for a much more mature look than her 15 month age at picture time.

Mad Dog is ready here for her first bicycle rid with Mom at some friends home in Hinckley. Mad Dog loved the ride and nearly fell asleep in the cart. Note the pony tails out the top of the helmet.

Mom and Dad after a motorcycle ride, it was about 400 miles and took us 131/2 hours. The ride was to benefit and support fallen souldiers and their families.