Missing Buddy

I have been reviewing my 2009...the highs and lows...and what I miss the most is our Buddy.  He passed in May.  We have truly felt his absence during this holiday season.  God bless him.

TOP 10 THINGS I LOVED ABOUT BUDDY:

1.  How he fell completely and madly in love with Patrick the very first night we found him!

2.  His sweetness.  He had the cutest, most pure little soul.

3.  His feistiness.  He would scrunch up his face and show his teeth when reprimanded! (Harmless!)

4.  His licks.  There were millions and it could get annoying, but what I wouldn't give for just one more!

5.  His prance in his younger years...so happy & peppy!  He also had speed & agility.

6.  He was snuggly.  He used to sleep between us with his head on our pillows!

7.  How he liked to ride shotgun with Patrick in the van.  He sat right up proud & proper.

8.  How much he loved his "babies".  Our other dogs have been destroyers, but Buddy usually kept his nice.

9.  His bark.  It was different.  Our nephew Nick used to be able to mimic him.

10.  His tall, soft ears.  They felt like silk.

Da Bears

Patrick R. & Patrick P.

I actually cringe when people say "Da Bears" but I had nothing else!  My Patrick was invited to the Bears vs. Vikings game last night by his friend Patrick from work.  I have only met Patrick a few times, but I love him because he's all heart!  Cold night for a game but it was a good one and they had a great time!  Bears 36, Vikings 30. 

Little Blue Sled

Daddy couldn't find her mittens!  Brr!

While I was at work today Margaux & Daddy went out and bought her first sled.  We don't have access to any hills right around our house, but she had a great time being pulled around by Daddy and chased by Jasper!  We are hoping to take her to do some downhill sledding soon.

Christmas Eve At Home

Her big gift.

Christmas tutu and leggings courtesy of Auntie Tera!

Jasper receiving his gifts...he was excited!

Sesame Street microwave!

Plex guitar!

 My Wellies from Patrick.

It has been a quiet Christmas Eve spent here at home.  Patrick had to work today and Margaux and I ran some last minute errands...in the rain...such strange weather for Christmas Eve!  Since I am working tomorrow we decided to go ahead and open all of our gifts tonite.  It was fun!  Margaux loved her vintage police car and immediately started to steer it.  I want to find her a little police cap to wear.  Patrick and I also exchanged gifts of course and I think we both did a great job shopping this year and even managed to surprise one another with some of the items.  I wish I weren't sick and that I didn't have to work tomorrow and all weekend and that we could be with our families, BUT I do feel very thankful for all of the blessings in my life.  Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Early Christmas Up North

Rocking horse made by Uncle Doug Hunt

Beautiful detail and craftmanship!

The newest great grandchild...Genevieve Pearl.

Grampie & MVP

It is my turn to work the Christmas holiday this year and so we made the trip to northern Michigan last weekend to celebrate with my family.  The weather was great, which made the drive a breeze this year compared to last year when it took us over 13 hours to get there!  Though our time was short, it was so wonderful to see everyone and our celebration was fun and hectic as usual, which is why I didn't have very many good pictures to post.  We received a lot of great gifts but I wanted to be sure to post pictures of the rocking horse that my brother-in-law Doug made for Margaux.  It's absolutely gorgeous!  It won't be long and she will be climbing up on it herself to rock!

Christmas Eve

Happy Birthday Jesus and welcome Santa Claus! 

More holiday blogging to follow...

Snowy Day

Pointing at the snowflakes...

Sweet girl.

Innocence.

It was snowing a bit today and it was the first time that Margaux really noticed it happening.  She has really grown in leaps and bounds this past month or so, not only in size, but in her verbal and social skills.  She is truly a happy, funny little girl.  The countdown to Christmas is on! 

Breakfast With Santa

Meeting Santa, Part II

I see London, I see France...

Playing in the big bowl of ornaments.

The Christmas tree in The Walnut Room

Today was Breakfast With Santa at Macy's and it was a nice event.  Aunt Sue and Uncle Dennis came with us and Santa came in and walked around and greeted us at our table.  Again, she did not cry when she met "HoHo", but she was very serious...almost suspicious!  Tonite we are finally going to decorate our tree that we have had in the stand for a week...

Yo Gabba Gabba! Live!

MVP & Dada waiting for the show to begin.

Melissa with Ryan & Addy.

Addy, Ryan & MVP...the best pic I could capture of them all together!

Brobee floating away with the balloons!

 Margaux has loved the children's show Yo Gabba Gabba since she was just 4 months old and so when I heard about the live tour we got tickets immediately.  My friend Melissa came along as well because her kids are into it too.  It was our first time at one of these hyped up children's events but I have to say, it was a really great time!  That Gabba Gang really knows how to put on a good show!  Margaux was mesmerized the entire time and she was amazed when one of the characters, Toodee, came walking down the aisle right next to her!  'Twas a really fun afternoon!

Meeting Santa, Part I

I decided to take Margaux down to the Santaland at Macy's on State Street in hopes of some nice holiday card photo opportunities.  I thought Santaland would have a lot of nice scenes and backgrounds that you could pose by, but it really didn't.  It was a little maze that was decorated nicely, but pretty much served as a place to line up to meet Santa.  No big deal, it was a nice afternoon and it was fun watching her reaction to the jolly ol' fella...slightly panicked at first and then just very serious and inquisitive!  We will be seeing Santa again this weekend when we go back for Breakfast With Santa.  We'll see if she remembers him!