It would seem that we have a little break in the cold.... it's in the 20's today and everyone was in the mood to get out and do something fun. Kas, Nate and Reagan packed up and came to the farm.... Reagan seemed so happy to see "Baby and Papa!!!"
And it took him all of a few seconds to get his scootie moving and figure out the lay of the house. One thing with an "open concept".. there is a lot of room to move around in. When Abbie lived here, she had a little red trike that she could zip around so fast in.....
The other thing that Reagan figured out... how nicely he could "touch" things... being "taller" has many advantages!!!!
Rearranging all the photos on the frig (and dropping a couple on the floor) was great fun....
"what, Baby??? no, I'm not getting into anything that I shouldn't!!!"
We had a very nice visit while we waited... and before too long, just the sound that we were waiting for!!!!!!
Dave, Deb and Sean all arrived, bringing the sleds back to the farm once again.... it's snow mobile day!!!!
First off, a nice little ride for Reagan, going around the pasture.....
Then Kass took a little turn on her own......
while Reagan got a chance to creep around the snow waiting for Mommy to come back.
The "boys" had planned to run the sleds over to the lake, so the "gals" planned on doing some snow shoeing. My friend, Kathleen came to join us....
And we followed the paths that the sleds had made out threw the woods. It was such a pretty day, and as I said, it actually felt "warm"... so good to be out in the fresh air.....
We had a great time, and the paths were nice and easy to hike across....
Nate and Banjo.....
I forget how much land we have here on the farm.....
Kass was amazing... she did all that snow shoeing with little Reagan strapped to her. (and she kept right up with us!!!)
After a little bit we met up with the boys and the sleds.... oh Dave... (showing off) stuck his sled pretty good in the puckies!!!!
Took the boys some tugging and pulling to get him out of this one!!!!
Everyone came back to the house after our outings... we had good foods waiting for us, and it was just a grand time to be all together and enjoying the winter weather (for a change). Thinking there's about a month to go, and then we can begin to think spring. But in the meantime, I hope to get back out on those shoes....
Winter -winter-winter... it's been a "real" one this year... seems we have snow every few days... and it's been so cold!!! We're going threw our wood pile at a pretty quick speed, and thinking that we'll need to order some just to finish the winter out. I haven't had our sleigh out once this year.. it's either too cold, or too icy and if it's going to be "not fun", it's not worth it. Even the doggies seem tired of it all, they run out... do their business and are back in. But they're bored......
Seems like everything is sitting and waiting to be used... either the snow shoes... or the rocking chair (in the warmer weather)........
And the outside view is often this.......not to sound so gloomy... I have been working away at that UFO pile of mine... and a few different objects just may be finished by the time spring rolls around.....
Ed is off to plow again........
Little Cappy dog is doing well... I wonder what she'll think when we have green grass again, being a "fall" puppy she hasn't seen anything besides the snow....
but she doesn't enjoy the cold either....
I've been allowing "games of chase" in the basement.... keeping these young dogs entertained on cold winter days can be a challenge....
Though Deb rolls with the flow... and often I am calling her from the depths of the snow....
Hunter, Trevor and Mona.... they just take their naps in the afternoon sun......
feeling rather sad today...... five years ago, I said good bye to my Little Moxie dog.... it still amazes me that I can cry so easily when I think of her. I don't cry as often, and I can talk about her and smile.... but more often that not... I cry... I guess the truth is, you never "get over" the ones that you love... human, canine or other. When someone touches your heart and soul so deeply, parting ways will forever be difficult. But in my heart of hears, I truly believe we will be reunited. And, as you well know, my work with the service puppies is because of Moxie, I know what a dog can add to your life, and I know how service dogs change the lives of their partners, so it seems like a constructive way to keep Moxie's memory alive...... in the meantime, I smile, I cry and I still love my little girl.............................
I had to wait just a bit before sharing this story.. because the surprise involves more than just one family... but a few weeks ago, Kass, Nate and Reagan got up VERY early in the am.. to head to the airport that was about three hours away.....
While they were driving, they found out that the plane they were going to meet had been delayed... so they stopped at a very "famous" place (LL Beans) to kill a little time and look about.
Reagan loved the "bubble in the tank".. where you can climb up inside and feel like you are with all the fish. I guess Kass and Nate had quite a time getting him to leave... they will certainly have to bring him back another time!!!!
This, however, was the reason for their trip. Patrick is returning home from deployment.... he has been away for almost a year. Patrick and Nate were together in the marine corps... and while Nate chose to go out, Patrick has stayed. This deployment took him away from his family... his dear wife Mandi and their four children... including their baby, who just saw her first Christmas - with Daddy being away.
It was a blessing that Kass and Nate found out that Patrick's plane would be refueling here... and it was the perfect chance for them to drive up to the airport and surprise Patrick as he got off the plane for a lay over. Kass got some great video of Patrick's face and his surprise when he saw his friends....... (and since his children still did not know that Daddy was on his way home) we had to be very quiet about it all up this way........Kass called Mandi as soon as she could to report that Patrick was on his way and let's just say that at the end of the day... there were four very excited children welcoming their Daddy home....
and "all" I can say... is "thank you" to those who serve our country each and every day......
Our second surprise is a birthday party. My friend, MaryEllen actually celebrated her 60th birthday on the 17th of January (same day as Ed's). But, her party was just this past weekend. Since she lives four hours away, we couldn't go and do just the party... we needed an overnight. so... Kas, Nate and Reagan came to watch over the farm, and we were able to have a 24 hour get away.....
Our whole family was invited... and it was so nice to see our old friends... Mom and Dad had a nice chat with Jenny, MaryEllen's daughter (and the one that planned the party!!!)
Rachel, Rob, Ed and Becky were all able to come as well... so not only a surprise birthday, but a nice little get away for my family as well.....
MaryEllen was completely surprised... partly because her birthday had already come and gone....and partly because all of us invited managed to keep it a secret. (and with facebook and such... that's hard to do these days!!!!)
It was a wonderful evening.... I loved everything about it... a night away from home with my Ed... spending time with the family and of course, having the chance to see MaryEllen and her family.....
We have been friends for thirty plus years (which I can hardly believe) and it goes to say that old friends are truly the dearest!!!!!
Coming home is always an interesting drive. One thing to be said.. I HATE bridges.... always have, and unless you take another (slightly longer route) you have no choice but to cross this bridge. It isn't that long, but I close my eyes when we cross and an always glad that I don't drive it......
In the summer, you can go up the tower and "see the view".... all I can say about that is... "that's nice, hope you have fun"..... because I have NO desire what so ever to go up in this tower!!!!!!
Actually right around Ed and MaryEllen's birthdays...this bridge was closed!!!! They had an ice storm here and the bridge was coated in a heavy layer of ice. All well and good until the weather warmed up a bit, and the ice began to melt. Huge chunks of ice began to fall off the bridge, and two cars were hit with ice. Fortunately no one was hurt, but I understand both cars had to be totaled!!!!... And you wonder why I don't like bridges, crossing them or going up in towers!!!!!
here we are... the end of the month, and nothing really exciting to write about... it's been cold, and warm, and snowy... it's been January.....
But we do have this really neat icicle hanging at the corner of the house... I keep expecting it break off, but each day it just seems to grow a bit more and more... I wonder if it will make it all the way to the ground!!!!
So, little Cappy has seemed to settle right into the crazy house of ours. One nice thing about teaching so many dog classes right now, it's easy to fit her in. Sadie is doing a class with her pup Dunkin... so Abbie has been coming to puppy school each week... she was beyond thrilled to meet Miss Cappy....
Her exact words.... "Baby, she's just like Ry-ry!!! I asked if she would like to play with her for a little bit and she took the leash and they were off.... I've seen this photo before!!! I wonder if black labs will always play a big part in Abbie's life....
and really, doesn't she have the dearest face......
Debbie dog.... I finally caught her playing with her bucket. I have a few of these buckets kicking around the dog yard, and Debbie just has the greatest time with them.
At first Cappy wasn't so sure to see Deb hauling this bucket about... and it's makes a pretty good banging noise... but when Deb dropped it and went onto something else.. I notice that Cappy went right out to check it out..... (good girl)....
Most of these cold afternoons will find the cockers cuddled into some warm place. The afternoon sun just pours in the living room, and Cam knows how to find the "sweet spot"....
The life of my dogs... really all of my animals have it pretty good.....
And look here.. another "ufo" complete!!!! it's onto another, I certainly do have lack there of in this department.... so good bye to January, and into February... the "little month"....
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