Jump for Joy!

It's Christmas!

Max's new best friend / Thanksgiving

We had some friends come over for dinner last night. One of the couples brought their 4 month old golden retriever, Lucia. She and Max really hit it off. She was very gentle with him and mostly laid down to play with him to compensate for being so much bigger.



They were not, however, so gentle with the potty papers...



Max is sleeping so well today. This is the most peace I've had since we got him!



I have uploaded the pics from our Thanksgiving visit with my family to an album. Also, the following video is a squirrel that Sarah made friends with.

Brandi Carlile and Maxwell Smart

The big news is that Max is home. There are a few more pics in his photo album and here are some videos. He is a very sweet boy and is adjusting well to his new home.

In watching these videos, I realized that we whisper while filming. I'm not sure why...



The reindeer was a parting present from Judy, the breeder.



In other news, Saturday night we got to see Brandi Carlile perform with the Seattle symphony. It was just amazing. Part of it was just her and the Hanseroth twins and they did one song with no amplification. Now, keep in mind - this was in Beneroya Hall which seats about 25oo people. We were in the back (the concert sold out almost immediately). It was so amazing to hear them with no electrons in between her and my ears- and talk about lungs! The orchestral arrangements for her songs were fabulous and the encore was Cohen's Hallelujah which I LOVE. Words just can't describe how amazing it was to hear her belting out Hallelujahes with the symphony backing her up. The good news for all you people that missed out on this amazing concert - it was recorded. When it comes out on CD you should all rush, rush, rush out and buy it because not only was Brandi amazing, but you will also get to hear me. Yes, that's right - it was also my debut. You see, she had the audience sing along on part of a song and I'm sure you will be able to pick my voice out.

Mama, Christy and her friend Sarah came out for Thanksgiving. It was great to see them. I'll post some pics from that soon. I hope everyone else had a great Thanksgiving.

Third visit with Max

I added a few more pics to the Maxwell album from our visit yesterday. It is amazing how quickly they are growing.

Here are a couple of the videos we shot. A little warning - the first one is a bit long (and chaotic)...






Also- there are more pictures on the breeder's website and she moved the photos for this liter to their own page: http://www.brooksburntridgebostonterriers.com/Jazzysfinallitter.html

Window boy, the sequel

Michael says I have no shame.

Sit. Stay. Good dog!

How cute is that? Max is second from the right.

(Pic. from Judy, the breeder.)

So fun...

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1543292903/bctid1898319071

I just love living in a big city.

Obama!!!

When the AP called the election - this roar went up outside. I could hear people yelling and screaming - it was crazy. Then, at the end of his acceptance speech - everyone was hoarse by this time- but there was lots of horn honking. I'd say it is great to finally be living in a blue state - but the good ol' Commonwealth of VA went blue this time around. And, as I'm writing - NC is too close to call so who knows. Who would have thought?

On completely unrelated news, as I've mentioned before - we are a tad bitter about the building that has sprung up to block our view of Lake Union and Mt. Baker. But, they are putting the windows in now and they just made it up to the level where the sunset is getting reflected. I'd still rather be seeing the sailboats out on the lake - but this isn't all bad.

Lots of Pictures!

Since this page is becoming a bit slow to load - I'm adding pictures to albums instead.

Here are pics from a church retreat on Mt. Baker: http://picasaweb.google.com/vickirwilliams/ChurchRetreat

Random pics around the area with amazing fall colors:
http://picasaweb.google.com/vickirwilliams/AroundTheSound

And last but not least - we've been to see Max, our new puppy a couple of times. Here are some pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/vickirwilliams/MaxwellSmart

Also, since Max's mom, Jazmin, had some calcium deficiency issues, the puppies are on formula now which means we got to feed him.



The breeder has updated her pictures as well, so if you follow the link below you will see new pictures.

He's here!

Our new puppy was born October 1st!



Here are more pictures of them. We are planning to adopt one of the boys, but we don't know which one yet.
http://www.brooksburntridgebostonterriers.com/BostonTerriersAvailable.html

More Camping

Last weekend, Michael and I went camping. Back in VA, Mike used to go camping with his friend Brad. They liked to load everything on their packs and march off into the woods. I, however, prefer drive-up camping. Since we weren't going to have to carry it far, we decided to get a new, large-enough-for-an-air-mattress tent. Isn't it cute?



The ground was spongy with moss and erupting in mushrooms.



Our campground was here on Horseshoe Cove on Baker Lake, at the foot of Mt. Baker. There are snow capped mountains behind those clouds, but you will just have to take my word for it.



The forecast was for rain and the sky looked like it was going to keep that promise. So, we decided it was a good day to jump in the car, head east, and check out North Cascades National Park.



Be careful Michael!


Highway 20 winds through North Cascades National Park. Along the way is a series of dams and lakes.








We left the lakes and headed up into the clouds.





We saw lots of little waterfalls.







When we got to the highest elevations and got out of the clouds, the plants changed to all evergreens with low scrubby bushes ablaze in fall colors.






This is Washington Pass.



Don't Look Down!



This is Liberty Bell Mountain.





Once we got to the east side of the mountains, we were in the "rain shadow." It was so interesting how much more arid it looked.




We ended our eastward drive in this funny little "Old West" town called Winthrop.





After Winthrop, we headed back to our campsite where it was nice and wet. Michael was able to get a fire going and we were glad for our nice waterproof tent.

A few other trip highlights:

I had a talk with this squirrel. His name is Douglas.






Michael really hates to have his picture taken.



Poor Michael.

Follow-up Pictures

Here is another picture of cousin Harrison. So sweet...



This is another picture of Jazmin and Jasper - our puppy's mommy and daddy.



I saw this the other day out our window. I have no idea what it was about. I understand that there are fire boats - but I see anything on the receiving end so I don't think that's what it is. Any ideas?



With all the pretty pictures I have been posting - I thought a bit of balance might be in order. Sometimes, it looks like this:



What happened to the top of the needle?

Spring on The Mountain

For those of you not familiar with the lingo - "The Mountain" is Mt. Rainier. On a clear day, it's where you want to be.







This is Paradise. Really. That's what they named it.




What with all the glaciers and the mile high elevation here at Paradise, it is late summer before it is warm enough for "spring" blooms.









Doesn't this moss look cool?



This is the Nisqually glacier. Rainier is the most heavily glaciated mountain in the lower 48.



This is the view across Reflection Lake.





You can see Mt. Adams from Rainier. (Other Mountains too - but we didn't make it to all the lookouts.)