on the road to IKEA

Mandy, Brazey and I roadtripped to PHX to take Mom home and also to spend some Christmas money at IKEA.


Beau sat with Brazey for a bit. Brazey is so tender, just pats that little dog with his sweet little hands, like little starfish.


That's how Birdie and I like our coffee: by the tanker truck full.


Mom loves that baby dog like an she'd love an infant. She loves that baby dog so much that she spent two hours napping in the car with him while Mandy and I did our IKEA shopping.

Didn't picturee any of the actual trip, during which we ate at the cafeteria, shopped the showroom and then the marketplace, and waited in line for a LONG time because neither one of us is very "good" at self-check. Some of my purchases aren't going to work out, so I'll be needing to make a return. For replacements. And other stuff.

Christmas Day

As always I was the first one up on Christmas Day. I worked on Mandy's gift but realized I wouldn't finish it in time. Then Jack got up and dived into the bounty of his Santa-filled stocking.


He wasn't the slightest bit disappointed. His gifts overflowed into my stocking and Dave's stocking. I just like this picture of Jack holding a Spongebob magic washcloth. It expands in the water. I gave him those Super Mario Galaxy jammies on Christmas Eve. He loves them, and looks tall and lean whilst wearing them.

While we waited for the Tuckers to arrive we watched It's a Wonderful Life, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and A Christmas Story. Dad laughed all the way through Vacation, which made me happy. Tuckers came while Christmas Story was on, so we laughed at the Bumpus hounds.


We had a nice, low-key gift exchange (I didn't take any pictures). But I got a picture of Cassie with her new Nylabone. She's happy.


Mandy made some sassy appetizers a la Melissa Trafton: crackers and cheese, dabs of caviar on cream-cheese spread crackers, these fabulous crabmeat and cream cheese pockets she's creating in this picture. Delish. I ate a ton.


For me the best part of Christmas was gathering all eight of us around the table for traditional turkey and mashed potatoes with turkey gravy, this time complemented by a grilled zucchini/mushroom/garlic medley, a green salad, and Sally Lunn bread. Cookies for dessert.


Evan took a cue from Jack and tucked into a "turkey bone."


Soon after the meal Dad packed his things and left early. He'd fielded a call from his dog adoption counselor sub, whose own dogs were sick, so he couldn't cover Dad's adoptions on Saturday. Dad went home Friday evening but we convinced Mom to stay.

Christmas was fabulously mellow and relaxing. Great way to wrap up 2009.

we had a good Christmas Eve

Mom and Dad drove up on Christmas Eve and arrived just before noon. That little dog Beau was curled up on Mom's chest in the front seat of the car, and that seemed to be his favorite place. He's a darling, sweet-tempered dog. We're happy to welcome our new brother.


Jack gave Oliver a little love. They sat together in the back seat of Mandy's van on the way to Agua Caliente Park for the traditional Christmas Eve picnic. Traditionally, the picnic is at Sabino Canyon and we dine on Hickory Farms Gift Pack from Mildred. We tweak the tradition to suit us. This year we had sandwiches and cookies and took the dogs with us.



The day was a bit chilly but so sunshiny and beautiful. There's Mom, Dad, Mandy, and Dave with most of the dogs, there underneath the palm trees.


Oh yeah. We also had chips.


Brazey took Beau for a walk.


Jack gave Beau some love.


Jack spreads the love. He had some for Jake, too.

After the park we gathered at my house and ate red beans with rice and cornbread. The Tuckers took off and the rest of us prepared for Santa's visit.


Jack left him a gingerbread house, some milk, and a nice note: "to Santa from Jack, dave, Becky, Casie, Dolly, and Piz I hope you have a happy new year!"