The first snow of the season

We had our first real snow! (We had a dusting last month, but it melted faster than it fell). Everyone has been teasing me, because I'm excited about it. Of course coming from the desert snow is not something I have seen very often, except when I would travel to it. I'm going to enjoy it. Lloyd took me out for a driving in snow lesson. I stomped around in it and played in it. So, tease me all you want. Maybe by March or April I'll be tired of it... or maybe not. ;)

The ranch was beautiful. The landscape reminded me of being in a Christmas card. In fact this will be the first time I might actually have a white Christmas! That's never happened before for me.

This is coming up our lane once you turn off the highway.



The trees just looked magical...

Lloyd took these pictures of the snow hanging on the antlers on one of the old buildings.

I thought this one looked pretty darn cool.

This is one of the old bunk houses. Just imagine living in it...

and having to run outside to use this... brrrrrrr

Rex was not to sure about his first snow storm. He didn't want to come out from under Lloyd's pick up, so...

Lloyd had to shovel him a path to the sidewalk :) Spoiled cat!

Maggie went out to "rescue" Miss Em... I don't think she really appreciated it that much.

So how are the animals adjusting...

We were wondering how our pets were going to take country living. For the most part, they had only been city animals...


We especially worried about Rex. He was kind of a sissyfied city cat.

He was a very good kitty when he traveled the 1100 miles north. He didn't even complain about wearing his leash :)






We need not have worried. He took right away to ranch life. Catching mice, stalking birds, scaring the deer and turkey. I have a feeling I will have many tale's of the adventures of Mr. Rex!

Rex sitting on the porch of the old house.

Mr. Hada loves to go where ever Lloyd goes... as long as it's in the Rhino or Pickup. If you want to ride with him in the Rhino, you have to share HIS seat.


Hada overlooking his domain :)





Miss Maggie? Well, she has become a regular ol' ranch dog. She has discovered the lab within (bahahahaha) and loves to get into the ponds. She goes or follows Lloyd everywhere! She has really become a great dog. She just needed to get out of the city and into the country.

She plays hard...

Maggie exploring one of the ponds...



and rests hard....

Maggie taking a nap while her dad works :)






Chiwa? Wellllll.... She's not to sure about all this. However she is one warm puppy! She loves to snuggle under ANY blanket with us. I had to get her a coat for when we are out and about.

Whats funny is she is a great cow dog. You tell her which way you want the cows to go and she chases them that way, then comes right back to you :) The cows are probably thinking "What the heck was that"....

Chiwa modeling the latest in fall puppy wear :)
Notice the hunter orange for her protection?






This little kitty is our newest addition. Her name is Truffles and she is a sweetheart! Except she talks way to much. :) Meow, meow, meow... on and on if you don't give her your undivided attention.

Truffles standing on Lloyds leg.

This is Bandit, his sisters, Miss Em (on the top with him) and Katarina below them.

Miss Em's new technique for stalking birds... Just lay in their bird feeder and let them come to you :)

The only cat not pictured is our barn cat "Little Joe". He's kind of shy and the only kitten that actually stayed up at the barn!

Kittens, kittens and Chiwa?

Here Kitty Kitty!

Lloyd holding Cali and Rex...

The last time we visited my dad we came home with not one but two kittens! They are pretty cute and right now they are very playful and mischievous. The are everywhere and into everything. In fact right now Cali won't leave me alone!

This is Cali. She is the sweetest, loviest kitten. She has the loudest pur ever!

This is Bailey holding Rex. Rex is the most rambunctious kitten! He get into everything and loves to make trouble...

Chiwa has decided that they are her kittens however. She is very concerned about where they are, what they're doing and she loves to play with them.

Chiwa getting ready to wrestle with the kittens...

Puppy kisses anyone?

I think our house has a sign...

I think our house has an invisible sign:

"Animals, do you feel unloved
and unwanted? Are you hungry
and afraid? There is hope...
Enter here! Pets live long, long
lives! And they never turn anyone
away! You'll get fat and Sassy!"


Since we've been married we have had quite the
menagerie. Dogs, cats, ferrets, birds, bunnies,
chipmunks, turtles, lizards, fish, yucky crawly things,
chickens, horses... I've probably forgot something,
but they have lived with us, become apart of our
family... Lived looonggg lives and for the most part,
liked each other!





This is my nephews "visiting" Dog
sleeping by a couple of my dogs
and chickens.


Very strange, our house can be (and just not the
humans). It seems when someone or some pet
needs a home they end up at our house. Currently,
it's no different!


For anyone of you that haven't heard the Chiwa story,
I'll explain. A few months ago (in the spring) their was
this chihuahua running around in the neighborhood. She
was skittish, and skinny, obviously abandoned. So after
a month or so, she started coming into our front yard.
Like the big softy he is (not me:) Lloyd decides we should
put a bowl of water out for her. And food. Well, we already
have a "few pets" two big labs - Theo and Maggie, two
little dogs - Hada and Pebbles (technically I don't think
Pebbles qualifies as a dog, she thinks she's a baby and
don't believe anything Ashley or Lloyd says!), a few cats
some fish. Anyway, after a few weeks this little chihuahua
jumps our wall and starts hanging out with our other dogs!
Lloyd finally gains her trust (after she bit him) and she
one of the family (short version). We even found a lovely
home for her with a guy we know. She --declined.
Very-emphatically by eating every set of blinds in his condo!

This is Chiwa.


She totally loves Lloyd! I'm okay as long as he's not home,

but if she had her preference.... So anyway, Chiwa (her official

name) now lives with us. She sleeps in (and I mean IN) our

bed at Lloyd's feet. (Man, is Pebbs jealous!)

Chiwa and the love of her life :)

Here are a few of our other pets. I don't

have pictures of them all on here. For one,

not all of them are on this computer and

two, it would take up a lot of room (JK).

Pebbles is right now our oldest pet. She is 13.

However, is is not the oldest we have had.

A.C. the cat was 25 when she died and...

Lizzie the dog was 17 when she died.

Lizzie loved kids and would follow

them everywhere. Even up to the tree

house at our old house. It was about

20 feet up. She loved to climb. We

even found her on the roof of the house

once when a ladder was left out against it!

Hada our long haired wiener dog

Pomeranian mix...Love the ears!

He is the next oldest at 10 years old

.

Theo our chocolate lab (and he is

definitely a "chocolate" for anyone

that knows what I mean :) is 6 years

old. He is such a handsome boy!

Play! Play! Play! is his motto!

Maggie is probably our youngest.

We're not sure because we don't

know how old Chiwa is. Maggie

is a good girl (especially if she'd

stop chewing everything up. Like

trailer wiring etc.). She is very

lovey.

This is Lloyd hiking with his

boys. They love to go go go!

Hada and Pebbles resting in

Grandma Arlene's room a few

years ago. Aren't they cute?

They had been to the groomers.

So, this is just a sample. When I get a few more pet pics scanned

into my computer I'll post some more. I know for most the

absence of a picture of Aspen will be a biggie. He was our huge

Alaskan Malamute/Wolf dog. He was the most awesome dog. The

kids all loved him.

Happy Birthday Pebbles!

Today Pebbles turns 13 years old.
That's like 91 years old in dog
years!





Currently Pebbs is our oldest pet
Her and Ashley have grown up
together and have a love/hate
relationship. Pebbles loves and
Ashley hates ;). Actually its more
of a sibyl rivalry thing.

When Ashley was little she would
tease Pebbles, so Pebbles would
retaliate by stealing off with her
toys. The competition is still on
13 years later...


Tiggone on the other hand, LOVES
Pebbles! And Pebbs is smart enough
to realize, be nice to the baby and you
get to stay in the house longer.





I don't think there has ever been
a time in my life when I haven't
had some kind of pet. Even though
they can be expensive at times and
they can be a pain in the behind,
they love so unconditionally it's
worth it.

If only people could love so
unconditionally. Without thought
of social standing or what you
look like. Without caring what you
do for an honest living. Or how much
money you make, or what area of
town you live in. If you think about
it, pets are a lot more like our Savior
Jesus Christ, then we humans. They
love unconditionally. Are loyal and
faithful and always forgiving.


I can't imagine not having at least
one pet. (Usually we have a tad... bit
more than one ;). Just ask any
one of the kids and they will have
a memory of one of our animals.