Our Christmas Tree!

James and I started our day by dropping off the girls at school and heading to our local Trader Joe's to get some Christmas decorations. We bought a couple of wreaths, a mini potted Christmas tree and some other goodies to prep for getting our tree and get the house Christmas ready! James had to get a picture with the giant Snowman in front of Trader Joe's before we left. 

We went to our local Home Depot to get our Christmas tree this year. The kids had to pose for a picture in the Santa Sleigh! 

This is our perfect tree, a Noble Fir! It was the first one we looked at.

Henry seems to love Christmastime. I think he thought it was cool that we brought a tree in the house, and lucky for us, he isn't quite peeing on trees yet.  

James loves to try and ride Henry like a horse. Henry doesn't seem to mind either. He loves all the attention James give him, no matter what!

We decided to keep the decorations to a minimum this year. We quickly realized Henry thought that it would be fun to pull each decoration off and play. And by "play" I mean destroy beyond all recognition. 

                                      

After decorating our tree, the girls had to put up their Christmas tree. I found this cute pink one at Target a few years ago. It's a fun tradition for them to have a tree in their room too. 

Favorite Spot

This is Henry's favorite spot in our home. Paws always have to be hanging out too. 

Rabid Dog

Have you ever seen a rabid dog before? I did not until Thanksgiving Eve. We brought Henry to my parent's house for the first time, which was also the first time he would meet Sammy. Sammy is the small black dog turn rabid, wild beast wanting to attack Henry every second he got. 

Sammy was found as a puppy on my parent's doorstep about 4 years ago. He was so little and so fragile in his abandoned state. My parents tried to find him a home. They got him all his shots, a doggie license and even got him fixed when the time was right. When no one was interested in a Chow mix of some sort, they kept him. How could they abandon him at a pound when they had had him for so long already and done so much? Well, little did they know what  a crazy, jealous and overprotective dog he would turn into. Let me preface by saying Sammy has been nothing but loved and cared for by my parents, he's been played with by my children and given all the attention and food a homeless dog could only desire. Sammy was a lost, abandoned dog who found a home. Tanner, my pomeranian-miniature poodle mix, was already living with my parents so Sammy even had a playmate. Tanner taught him rather quickly that the backyard was the place to pee and poo. Sammy is a lucky dog. But, what in the world causes such a reaction to another dog, especially one like Henry to wants to play?!?

This is the introduction. Sammy had to have the shock collar on straightaway just to keep him from attack mode. 

I was so hopeful for a great time. My husband new from the start but I wanted them to get along and be able to bring my dog over to my parent's house. These are the videos I took during this "introduction" on Thanksgiving Eve. It's a sad sight to watch but part of Henry's experience with a "bully". 

The "bully" won and Henry ended up going home.  And even after the craziness, the kids loved Sammy because that's what they do. 

Lake Arrowhead, Thanksgiving weekend

Just laying around in the kitchen. Gee, you're not in anyone's way... 

Henry and his Doggy Uncle Nate sniffing around.

Best Pals

We had a great time!

Henry Snoring

Yes, it's a dog, not a human, but a dog. Henry to be exact. 

Picture Perfect

With Christmas coming, I needed some pictures of all four of my babies. They're picture perfect!

Slumber Party

With school out over the Thanksgiving Holiday, we just had to have a slumber party. I'm not sure Henry understood why he doesn't have a sleeping bag also. He kept laying on top of the sleeping bags, but finally made it to his bed. 

Henry's Christmas "outfit"

I know, I know...Thanksgiving is still a week or so away but I couldn't help it. I saw this ridiculous headband at Target and immediately thought of Henry. I just had to try and get it on him. All he wants to do is chew it to pieces, but I'm not letting that happen just yet. We're going to have to get his Christmas picture first. 

Dirt lounging...

We're prepping the side yard for concrete (yay!) and Henry thought it would be nice to lay in the dirt. He does look pretty comfortable though. In typical Henry fashion, he's right there with us, everywhere we are. Except, he's not digging or working up a sweat, he's relaxing in the dirt. 

Happy Halloween!

Henry really wanted to go for a walk...but it was just too crowded and we thought he might bark at all the bumblebees and ladybugs flitting around the neighborhood. So, he had to stay home. 

The kids had a good time though. A cute little Bunny Rabbit, Darth Vader and Princess Leia (but she had to have the purple sword because it was, well, purple).