Puppy Days

My parents recently paid us a mid-winter visit, with Cricket - as usual - acting as scene-stealer. She can't help that she's so darn cute.

We also figured that it was about time to take down the Christmas lights, and four hands are better than two. I think we're through with decorating the evergreen after this year. Even with our extension ladder, homemade light pole, and six strands of lights, we still can't quite reach the top. When we first moved in, we only needed three strands and a step stool.

Adam's do-it-yourself extension wand / home invasion weapon

Check out the Columbia jacket, ear warmer, and stretch gloves (2 pairs for $1 at Target). I'm bringing the early nineties back to Stillwater. That whole outfit cost me about $35, even after adjusting for inflation.

Cricket hasn't yet learned that TJ does not like to play. Especially with puppies.

Cricket also has not learned how to handle a leash. We spent much of the weekend untangling the dog.

Buddies, for a while.

 Time-out for Cricket. She needs to recharge and the rest of us needed a break.

Just so we didn't spend all weekend doing yard chores, we also took my parents across the river to western Wisconsin. We stopped by the Bass Lake Cheese Factory for some curds and then continued south to Hudson.

Adam got some rock chucking and ice cracking in on a stop along the St. Croix River. The ice was just beginning to break up.

I ordered a happy hour drink that was half red wine, half Coke. I was so appalled by this combination that I had to try it. Why would you ruin red wine with Coke, and vice versa? It tasted almost exactly like sangria. I guess it's good to know that I can just skip the fruit from now on.

The next day, Cricket was so obsessively focused on meeting the cat that it was all she could do to sit still. My dad was her protector.

"Watch out!" says the cat

The object of Cricket's affection

Time for treats! This is one game TJ knows how to play...and win. He will drool on your shoes until you drop the treat.

Next up...shedding season. We're trying to get a heads up on TJ's undercoat now. Cricket had fun with the leftover fur balls. It's like a free toy. TJ tried to prove to Adam that he doesn't care about grooming, but he does. He will fight us throughout the whole spring. Eventually, we will give up and take him to the groomers for his annual bath, where he will come back clean and sleek and trim and smelling like lavender and honeysuckle for another year. It's a lose-lose situation for everyone!