Christmas Day

This is a video of Christmas morning at our house. The kids had a great time and we very excited. They were not allowed access to the upstairs until everyone was ready. They had to give a "shout out" from the basement to get us up and then they had to go back downstairs until Curtis and Dennis were ready to have them open gifty's! It was worth the wait.

Our Christmas Decorations

This is how we decorated the new house for Christmas. Daniel and Claire did the tree and Claire and I did the mantle and the piano. I think that it looks great and Steph, we don't want you to miss a thing so we thought you would like to see too.

New Couch and Chair

This fall, Mom and Dad decided that they were ready to get rid of the old couch and chair from the basement. This is the couch and chair that moved with our family to Roblin from Thompson. This furniture was originally a bluey green color that was destroyed when it spent a summer in the garage of the Gobel's house in Thompson because they had a cat living in the garage that used it as a scratching post!! Mom and Dad had it recovered in BEAUTIFUL brown and orange plaid in a fabric that was made of iron, I am sure, because it was in really good shape and wore like iron. Once I convinced Curtis that we needed it for our basement, we decided to have it recovered again. As you can see, the couch is plain light latte brown color and the chair is covered in a really funky brown pattern of circles and squares.

I think that it looks fabulous and so much better than the big stinky one that we had in the basement before. Plus all the family childhood memories came with it!

The couch is coming in!!! Get out of the way!

This is the new chair

The couch and chair all cozy in the basement

Group Christmas Highland Dance Preformance

This is a picture of all the dancers that preformed with Claire for the Highland Dance Competition on December 20th, 2007.

Claire's Christmas Highland Dance Preformance

This is a video of Claire's Highland Dance Christmas Preformance. This took place the night of December 20, 2007. Claire preformed the Sword Dance and the Fling. The Fling was done, as you can see, in santa hats and all the more advanced girls danced this dance.

Daniel's Christmas Concert, Song #2

This is another song from D's Christmas preformance. Enjoy. BTW, Daniel is in the middle of the screen in the orange bandana and the blue shirt!

Daniel's Christmas Concert

This is a video of Daniel and his fellow grade 4-6 classmates singing a song in their Christmas Concert. They preformed Treasure Island!

Family Skate

This is the video of people actually skating. See the big crack in the ice? No one fell in so I guess it is OK.

Playing in the Pasture and getting ready to Skate

Here is a video to accompany the skating blog. Yes, I do swear in this video. You can hear the ice crack and it is a little scary!

Skating on the Pond

On Sunday, between phonecalls, Curtis was able to clear the pond so that the kids could skate on it. After lunch kids, dogs and everyone headed out to the pond to try it out. The kids were getting their skates tied and Chester was ripping across the pond and the ice settled and made a big crack across the pond. Scared the crap out of me, but Curtis said it was fine and that everything was just settling. No one fell in, but there was a big wet water spot in the middle of the pond. I am sure it is all iced over and all if fine. It made for a fun thing to jump over anyway.

Getting Ready

Curtis laces up


Claire jumps the crack


Daniel worries about the crack

Christmas comes Early for Curtis

Well, Christmas came early for Curtis this year. Last week he went to A&R rentals and bought himself a snowblower and a generator! YIPPEE!!! I refuse to learn how to run the snowblower(like the lawnmower, I just don't think this is something that I need to know) and I know that I will appreciate the generator the 1st time we are without power! I guess they are cool and Curtis likes them so, YAY!! Oh and the snowblower has heated hand warmers (OOOOOOOHHHHHHHH)!

The new snowblower

The new generator

Testing the snowblower

Making room for the new "toys"

Concord Kid's Christmas Party

On December 9th, 2007, Concord Well Servicing hosted a Christmas party for all the kids that are in some way connected to the company, be it children of employees, grandchildren, etc. As you can see from the pics, Claire was not sure that this was going to be any fun UNTIL she got her gift from the "creepy Santa" (Claire's words, not mine). They had crafts, food/drinks and tons of Christmas goodies for everyone. At about the 1/2 way point the kids all got called up and had their picture taken with Santa and they received a gift wrapped and addressed to them. Very cool. Claire and Daniel decided that it was an OK party after all.


This is the paint bay they had the party in. Lots of people attended and ALL the kids were very well behaved. There wasn't even a two year old meltdown! The big guy with the boy in plaid on the right of this picture is Curtis' OC, Terry. He is an ex NHLer and our key to Oiler tickets, Dad!! I am still hopeful he can round up 2 or 4 for the 27th.


Claire and Daniel when they got to the party.


Claire making a picture frame for her Santa picture! Doesn't she look thrilled to be there?


Daniel in line to get a bun and goodies.


Claire on "Creepy Santa's" knee. This santa was skinny and had on a burgandy suit. Claire was not fooled at all and was having as little to do as possible with him. Get the gift and get the heck out of there.


Daniel is not worried about the santa.


Daniel got a really cool remote control jeep and Claire got an Epet. This is like a Webkinz that you register online and play games with, for those of you that don't know.


Just before we headed home the kids made goody bags to take home chips and cookies.

Cell Phone Commercial with Greyhounds!

I LOVE this commercial. Gives a great story and hopefully will help greyhounds find homes. Bill and I are kindred spirits. There are only three things that will make me get up and drive somewhere in the dark. Claire, Daniel and a greyhound in need. Seriously, Wook at that face!!

Claire makes a Gingerbread House

The other day we were in the Stupid Store and Claire spotted this Gingerbread house and had to have it. On Friday Daniel had Bryce sleep over and then on Saturday he and Bryce and Claire headed over to Bryce's house to hang out. It wasn't long and Claire wanted to come home. When she arrived I suggested that we do the Gingerbread House and she thought that was a wonderful idea!

It was actually really easy to put together as the pieces and icing and candies are all included and you just put it together so it was a good choice for 1st timers like she and I. We had it together in about 1/2 an hour and then she watched kid's tv and decorated it.




Most of the candies are gone now and the kids are slowly eating the house too. This is great because it won't be taking up room on my counter for the next three weeks!

Claire Skates

This is a video of Claire skating with her grade 2 class on December 6th, 2007. She had a great time, but was exhausted when she gets home. The kids in her grade, along with her, really think that they are invincible. They fall down and crash and just carry on. I know that they have helmets on, but there isn't that my protection from your snow suit!! Don't you love Cliare's snow suit? It is camo, but I don't know what it will help her hide from since I am sure that you can see if from space! Oh and btw, Claire's teacher is in the green jacket.

Jingle on Parade

On December 2nd, 2007, Claire, Chester and I took part in the Jingle on Parade at Scotia Place in downtown Edmonton with Chinook Winds Greyhound Rescue Foundation. This is the 4th year our group has had the honor or being Santa's reindeer.

This is an indoor parade (no chilly weather) between all the downtown highrises that are connected by skyways. It was great and Claire came, but mentioned on the way home that it was not as much fun as she thought it was going to be. Oh well, I had fun, but was tired when it was over!! Chester was very well behaved and only stole one sucker from an unsuspecting child!




Good Boy Chester!!

I want a Bengal!!!

OK.  Thanks to my sis and her beautiful bengal, Moe, I am now completely, and I mean completely, addicted to www.tanj-ushi.blogspot.com.  It is incredible and the pictures and the colors of the cats are just outstanding.  I love to read their stories and I think I have been through pretty much the entire blog at this point and check it daily for updates. I am reading forward from the beginning of the blog in May of 2006 and am up to September 23rd, 2006. I read about a month a day. They post almost everyday so it takes some time. Curtis, by the way, thinks I have lost my mind!

I love that the cats came from the same kennel as Moe and I would have him call me Auntie Colleen if I had any sort of relationship with him, but alas, I come with noisy baggage when I visit Seattle so we only get to see Moe if we crouch down and look under the bed (sigh). I think that Stephanie and Aaron should get Moe a buddy for Christmas. C'mon Aaron!!

Tipper gets her Ball

Last night Curtis took Tipper's favorite toy away from her and put it on the kitchen table. This afternoon she decided that she wanted it back and after barking for a good 10 - 15 minutes straight (which I ignored) she decided that she needed to take matters into her own hands, or paws! I did not move the chair or encourage her at all. Luckily, the camera was in the office with me and I was able to tape her without her knowing. You can see in the video the moment that she realizes she is being watched. It took her quite some time to work up the nerve to get on the chair, but after that she had no problems!

Yes, Mom, this is the same table you will be enjoying Christmas dinner on!

Daniel Skates

Here is a video of Daniel skating with his class on November 30th. I had to go and pick them up early because Claire had a private dance lesson in St. Albert at 4:00. I learned that Grade 5 kids really don't need help tying their skates and also that the Onoway rink is not heated and VERY COLD!

Tracker Enjoying the Sunshine

I saw Tracer out the kitchen window sunning himself while sitting on this fence post.  Little did I know that he was actually at work!  Not long after I took the 1st picture, he jumped down and started stalking something in the grass by where the wood used to be piled(remember wasp pics).  Soon he was joined by Smokie and it wasn't long and he had a mouse.

Good job Tracker!!



The little thing that looks like his tail beside him on the left hand side is the mouse or whatever he caught. Smokey is waiting of leftovers.

EHDA Closed Competition

Claire had a highland dance competition on Saturday, November 24th, 2007.  Although she was not called up for a placing (means that she didn't win 1st - 6th in any of her dances) she had a great time and got to know some of her new highland friends.  It was good to see her having fun.  Her fellow schoolmate Lauren won the aggregate in their 7-9 year old beginner group so that was very exciting!!



This is a pic of Claire (orange/green kilt) and her highland friends. Lauren is in the black/white kilt. Claire's new teacher is Miss Kathryn and she is the lady fussing with Colin's number. They are warming up for the Fling and making sure their costumes are just so. Miss Kathryn is a very detail oriented person and wants everything to be just so. At one point in the warmup, she had Claire pinned up against the wall and she was trying to get her eyebrows to lay straight. She was licking her finger and trying to smooth them out and Claire was telling her that they will not lay flat. Miss Kathryn finally gave up. Claire's eyebrows (bat wing eyebrows, we call them) are free spirits, just like her.

After the competition Claire and I had lunch at the Olive Garden and then she helped me organize and vaccinate the new doggies when they arrived. It was a good day.

This is what happens when I am home alone

This is what happens when it is -18 outside with a windchill, you don't want to clean up the house and your kids are at school so you are bored out of your tree.  You make a hat for your greyhound puppy out of the plastic Walmart bag that he was going to eat!  I think that it is very snazzy!!

I think Winter is here to Stay

Good morning. Woke up to the radio telling me that it was -18 outside. Not a good way to start the day! I think that winter is here to stay. Had to fight with Claire to get her to wear socks, but that was short lived. So, I am going to stay in today and catch up on my paperwork.

Have a great day everyone!

Daniel Passes Muay Tai Ranking Test

Last Thursday, November 15th, Daniel showed up to participate in his Muay Tai class and quickly realized that it was grading night. The class completed a brutal fitness test and then they had to complete some Muay Tai moves and Sensei Mike walked around and watched everyone and took notes.


This is everyone completing the fitness test. Daniel is on the right hand side of Sandy, in the white tank top, sort of in the center.

At the end of Class he informed everyone that not everyone had received their white ranking, but that for some, like Daniel and Sandy, it was a given! You should have seen Daniel's face! He just looked like "Hell yeah, Muay Tai expert in the house"!!!

Daniel received his white Prajied (also known as the arm band thingy) and is very proud of it. After his friend, Scott, made it small enough for him and he stood back in line, everyone applauded how great it looked and how it really showed off his guns!! Nothing will boost the confidence of a skinny 10 year old boy than the admiration of the big, tough guys in the class.


Daniel and others receiving their Prajied's from Sensei Mike


Daniel's friend, Scott, fitting his arm band



Congratulations Daniel. We are very proud of you and your dedication. Now you can kick ass and take names two ways!

Glo's Motley Crew

Well, our most recent foster is on her way to her new home and her new family in Winnipeg. I drove Leta to the airport and dropped her off this afternoon. Thank you so much to Patrick at Westjet for all your help. I look forward to meeting your greyhounds some day. Leta, or LetaLu, as we called her, was very sweet and she and Chester had a wonderful time playing in the turnout pen. They even managed to get Sidney in on the act.

Oh, she did rip Tipper's ear open, but Tipper deserved it. If you are going to be the fun police you have to be prepared to back it up!

We will miss you girl, enjoy your new life in Manitoba!

Birds of a Feather....

Well, you know the saying! These birds were in our tree today and they were making quite a racket. Thought I would share. I know, not very exciting.

Brock Myrol Memorial Karate Tournament, November 9th and 10th

This weekend Daniel competed in a karate tournament in Red Deer. The tournament was dedicated to Brock Myrol, one of the four RCMP officers killed at Mayerthorpe, AB. Brock was a member of Arashi Do Red Deer and is dearly missed by his friends and family and since it was Remembrance Day weekend, it was a fitting tribute.

Daniel competed in WKA Continuous Fighting on Friday night and won his 1st round and then lost his next two rounds, ending up 4th overall. Daniel's new Sensei, Mike, was there to watch and now knows that Daniel has to work on his conditioning. It was very good practice and now everyone knows what we have to do to get in shape for Provincials in March.

On Satuday Daniel competed in Kata and Point fighting and got 4th in Kata and 3rd in point. It was a great weekend and we got to see all our karate friends again.

I have to give a special shout out to Lexie, Kass and Amber for letting us use their house as our hotel. It was great to visit with you all and Claire had a great time hanging out with the girls on Saturday.

I have uploaded a video of Daniel's Continuous Fighting from Friday night for you all to see. Just go to www.youtube.com and search greyloverfreedom.

Veterinary Acupuncture Clinic

On Thursday, November 8th, 2007, the kids and I along with some other Chinook Winds Volunteers took part in a Veterinary Acupuncture Clinic. This clinic is to certify veterinarians in the medicine of acupuncture. They asked Chinook Winds if we would be willing to volunteer our time and our dogs so that they could use them to find the pressure points and learn the anatomy of a dog. They like to use greyhounds because they have no fat and no hair. The greyhounds we had in attendance were Molly, owned by Jim and Mary, Suzy and Moody, owned by Deb and John, Egon, owned by Sacha and Du, and Sidney and Chester, ownded by me and my foster girl, Leta.

Chester took part for the 1st 1/2 and then went to the van for some quiet time. He is much to wiggly and I should have known better than to bring an 11 month old puppy (sigh). Oh well, he will be older in the spring. All the dogs did really well and because they are retired racers and used to being handled they all stood or layed down beautifully and as requested. All the dogs were either asleep or at least laying down by the end of the clinic after having wonderful three hour dog massages!

The next clinic is in March and then the final exam is in May.


This is Suzy getting some attention while her Dad, John, looks on.


This is Sidney asleep on the floor while they are looking for all his pressure points.


Moody and her Mom, Deb, learning tons of good information.

Our 1st Official Snowfall

On the morning of November 4th, 2007 we woke up to a winter wonderland. It was predicted that the snow would fall, but you always hope they are wrong. It was pretty anyway and cold enough today for it to stick around. You can see a video on www.youtube.com of the dogs in the turnout pen enjoying a romp. Just search greyloverfreedom and enjoy! Please ignore the babytalk, I sound rediculous. This will be the last post until next week! I am FINALLY caught up!