Yay for Winter (I think!!!!)

Our early morning weather report made me extremely thankful I have a day off work today so I can stay indoors cuddled up with my two wonderful puppies!

The Adventures of Domino and Chequer!

Being employed on a casual basis I have the advantage of picking which shifts I pick up, so since Chequer arrived I have been picking up full time hours, but only with evening and night shifts so that I can be here during the day when Nige is at work.  We are lucky that over the years Domino has got used to us being at work during the day, but at such a young age it would be unfair to do the same for Chequer, hence my change in schedule for the next few months.

As you will all know, little puppies don't stay little for long and at Chequers's visit at the vets for his vaccines on Saturday he'd put on 2 lbs (although technically its 2lbs of leg as nothing else appears to have grown!!).  

Domino is improving every day and although she can't manage stairs, still has moments of drunkenness where she'll fall if she's on carpet where she can get a good grip, she can normally get herself back up again.  We think she had a realization this week that Chequer was in fact here to stay and not, as she initially believed on holiday.  She made her dissatisfaction known by biting his ear, thus resulting in a trip to the vets for some antibiotics and a twice daily washing of his ear of pus!!!

                                        

This doesn't seem to have put Chequer off aggravating his big sister, he has just moved to a safe 'under the sofa' barking position!!! 

Holiday Celebrations!

Those of you who know the details regarding the celebrations last year will know how much we wanted to make the most of this year.  Sophie had picked up night shifts all through Christmas so it was down to me to attempt the cooking of Christmas dinner!  I was however, very lucky to be relieved of this duty when our friends Haydn and Deedee invited us over for Christmas dinner.  They had friends over from the UK who were staying with them so it was dinner for 11!   

Sophie had a dreadful night shift so was very tired when she got home so after a quick sleep, it was onto the phones and skype to catch up with the families.  We were also very lucky to be spoilt with a festive chinook which brought some very welcome warm weather for the day.

We had some wonderful gifts from Sophie's parents, but had both decided not to buy gifts for each other this year due to the four legged addition.  Santa had decided to spoil the doggies instead and after a messy present opening for them we headed to Haydn and Deedee's.  

Last year we had gone round to see them Christmas morning for a couple of hours and had spent the entire afternoon wishing we'd stayed there so were really looking forward to a great food and great company.  Sophie did another of her wonderful cakes as a gift to them and in return we were spoilt with gifts and an amazing feast and agreed we're co lucky to have such good friends here, especially at this time of year.

Sophie and I worked on and off over the following week with Sophie managing to fit in the making of two new years cakes and were both looking forward to the New Years celebrations.  

As per the newly founded tradition, we attended the gathering of all our friends in the UK, thanks to the wonders of Skype and were saw in the new year with them at 5pm Calgary time.  We'd decided to get an Indian take away for dinner then head up to the wine bar we were at last year for drinks and entertainment.  The people that stayed with us this summer headed with us into down town where we visited the city's ice and fireworks display around 9pm then went on to the Bar.  

After much drinking and dancing with a great live band providing the soundtrack we said goodbye to 2010 and welcomed 2011!

The following day we'd been invited by Kathryn and Luke to join them for a big roast dinner and we were treated to another wonderful feast and an afternoon of lounging in front of the television with a movie.  

We are pleased to announce them as the winners of the converted award for 'the most food on a table at any given time' and were glad we'd been warned not to eat all morning!

So as Chequer begins to grow and terrorize his big sister we are looking forward to the new year and are positive about what it holds for our family of four!