Friends that we will miss in 2010.

David Leggett

Doug Hale

Brad Cink

Auntie Eva

Jim Marolich

Prince's Christmas Stocking

I'm sitting for Nan as my stocking comes down. On my best behavior!"

"A new rope tug toy! Yippee! Only the handle remains from last year's rope!"

"Now, where are the food treats? I know they are in there. Kong biscuits are good! And Greenies to clean my teeth, too....."

"Can you believe this stash? Having all your toys out at once is a good thing!"

"Heaven!"

Merry Christmas from Prince

Christmas Eve with Prince

It was Prince's first Christmas at Hallmark. He had his own stocking hanging on his crate and was expecting new toys and treats from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Prince has brought us a year of joy and love. He is the best dog -- loving and gentle and full of mischief, too! With no shortage of surprises from Prince, his most recent escapade was digging under the fence in the night and coming home full of mud and a smile on his muzzle. At least he left the dead squirrel outside for us to find the next morning!

We love you Prince!

Holiday Dinner with Friends

Our good friends, Leonard & Claire and David & Shannon, came over for a holiday dinner on the 19th. John planned a colorful and festive menu for the night, and we all enjoyed good food and friendship. Can you smell the aroma from the pictures?

Squash Soup

Mixed Greens with Red & Yellow Raspberries and Pinenuts

Mozzarella Cheese with Cream & French Bread

Chicken Galantine with Green Peppercorn Sauce

Wild & Brown Rice

Green Beans with Tomato Concasse

Cheesecake with Espresso Chocolate Sauce & Pralines

Hope your holiday cooking (and eating) has been bountiful!

Love, Anne and John

Playing with the Reindeer

Nan and Morgan frolicking on The Green!

Letters to Santa

Who is having more fun writing to Santa? Bubba or Morgan? Gee, it's hard to tell......

Christmas is Coming

Morgan and Friend at the Wachovia Atrium



Bubba and Morgan and a large tree!



Little Miss Muffet loves lots of sprinkles!



Morgan, Bubba and Prince - A "pack" hug!



Checking out the ornaments and the lights.


MERRY, MERRY! HAPPY, HAPPY!!
CHRISTMAS IS COMING SO VERY SOON.......

Prince Goes Low Fat!

Fat? Smat? Low Fat? What Fat?

Prince went for his one year check up this morning, and the report was excellent. Well, everything except the weight. Prince is 63 pounds, and for his breed, the vet says that he needs to lose 10 pounds. So we are putting him on low-fat doggie food and ampping up the exercise routine. Maybe this will pay dividends for Bubba and Nan? Hope so!!


More walks in the woods are a good thing!


And more fetch time is just what we need!

Snowball Fight!!!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Thanksgiving in Georgia

We left Wednesday to head to Canton, Georgia to see mom for the Thanksgiving holiday. Boots had planned to drive down on Thursday, and Dottie Clark, a childhood friend, was also coming for Thanksgiving dinner. Little did we know we'd have so much excitement to start the holiday.

This was our first trip taking Prince with us, and we were not sure what to expect. Well, he was a little nervous as we head down the Interstate. I thought we were okay until about the second hour of the trip. I looked around and he was panting, breathing heavy and beginning to drool a bit. Then he "lost his cookies." Poor boy! Fortunately it all went in the floorboard, and the gas station where we stopped had a water hose to wash down the car mats. Prince was glad to make a dash to the grass for a pit stop, and now his system was "totally empty" for the remainder of the trip. I sat in the back with him for the rest of the journey and kept him calm with continuous ear scratching and petting. Not such a bad deal!

And the traffic was bumper-to-bumper on I-85, taking us 6 hours for a 4 1/2 hour trip. So many semis and cars that were slow and stopped! And for no reason -- no wreck, no road work, no cops. Makes you wonder what people are doing while they are driving. John was very patient, although exhausted and stiff by the time we arrived at Mom's.

Enoying the meal and the company around the table.

Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday was great fun. We had a good time in the kitchen together, and I think John rather enjoyed being "off duty" this year. We all enjoyed a glass of champagne to start the meal (thanks to Mark and Jen). Boots brought a sweet potato casserole and Dottie's friend baked a pecan pie for us. Along with the turkey, dressing, salad, rolls, and veggies, we were well-fed. And, we went back for seconds, of course!

The Glenvalley Drive Girls reunited!

On Friday, John organized a wood cutting detail so we could work off our holiday indulgences. He rented a chain saw at the local Home Depot and headed off to the "north 40." Mom had a number of small trees that were dead and leaning on other trees, so John cut these down and into fire logs. Boots and I managed the wheel barrow loading, moving and stacking of the wood. It was a gorgeous fall day, blue skies and crisp temperature. I think we all felt better for the exercise. And we enjoyed a beautiful crackling fire that night after dinner.

Working hard in the woods!

Buddies after a hard day's work.

Boots brought her two pups with her as well, Toby and Doodle. So Prince had an a opportunity to meet his "cousins." We did not trust that any of the dogs would stay around the house without a lead, so we decided to chain them up. But, they still had plenty of chances to sniff each other, chew on each other, romp through the woods, and try to sneak into each other's food bowls. Prince did get to sleep inside at night in his crate, so things did calm down a bit in the evenings.

Prince, Toby & Doodle

Boots giving out doggie treats!

John and I headed back home on Saturday morning. No breakfast for Prince, and he was good to go on the road. Only 4 1/2 hours on I-85 this time, and we were pulling into the driveway on Hallmark Drive with a "clean car" and ready to head out to find a Christmas tree!

I hope that all of our extended family and special friends had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. This has been a different kind of year for us with a rocky economy and a tough real estate market. But, John and I are truly blessed with family and friends that love us, with good health, and a love for the life we have created together.

Morgan's Overnight

Morgan came to visit Bubba and Nan
last weekend. And it always keeps
us hopping for two days, and it brings
a smile to our faces. What a joy!

Saturday was a good day to have Bubba throw

you into the leaves in the compost pits.

Ready, set.....

GO!!!

Next, Bubba and Morgan try to coax Prince into

the doghouse. He really does not like the doghouse

and has never used it. Maybe Spencer's ghost

still lives inside??

OK, I'll come in for a treat and that's all.

Prince is outta there! Morgan gathers her

collection of kitchen pots, pans and gadgets.

If Prince won't use the doghouse, then Morgan will.

A perfect spot for setting up housekeeping and having

all the tools close at hand. Nan is the sous chef and

fetches water and red rocks for executive chef, Morgan.

Morgan sets the table for a mid-afternoon snack.

Table cloth -- check! Flowers -- check! Soup -- check!

Imaginary "stone soup" is the best! Is Bubba

eating out of the dog bowl? Hmmm.....

Sunday is another beautiful day in the yard. So

many leaves to rake and so many games to play

with Prince. Prince takes the header here with

Morgan's pink soccer ball. Ouch!

And no weekend at Bubba's would be complete

without a little gardening. Morgan takes a ride in

the wagon with the peat moss bales.

Dirty hands and face! A really good time!!!

Fall Beauty

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."
~Albert Camus

"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn."
~Elizabeth Lawrence

Morgan's Trick or Treat Night

Snow White is ready for Trick or Treating with her friends


The Nagle twins and Cole join Morgan for the big night


Looking for those spooky "Gutter Ghosts"


What a haul of candy in that pink pumpkin!