Monday, December 28, 2009

Christmas Wrap-up


I woke up early Christmas eve morning to this lovely sunrise. It was crisp & snowy, just the way the holiday in Ohio should be. Our tradition is to spend Christmas Eve day with my side of the family, so that is what I'm posting about today.

Weather permitting, we being the day with a pack walk. Usually my step-sister comes along with her two greyhounds, although they didn't make it in time to accompany us here. But since my friend Courtney came over to spend the day, Mason was happy to be included for once!



It was pretty nippy and is always windy where we live, so Brutus got to model his stylish coat!



Greyhounds are perpetually cold, so here's Aunt Maggie all bundled up


Then it was back to my Dad's house for a wonderful brunch with the family. The other hounds had arrived, so it was nap-time for the pooches while we ate. Brutus and cousin Monty "gaurded" the presents to make sure nobody snooped!



This must be the official "greyhound napping position", seeing as they all flop down the exact same way!! This is Aunt Maggie and cousin Gracie (the white dog).



Brutus woke up when it was finally time to unwrap the presents.



Courtney, the creative person she is, made Brutus and I a wonderful bag of goodies (note who is featured on the bag, labelled "The Wonderful World of Brutus")...



... which included some of Brutus' most favorite treats!



I got my niece Mayna a cute stuffed pug (closest I could get to a Frenchie) that came with all sorts of clothes to dress it up. She opened it gleefully & reportedly hasn't put it down since!!



Here's my dad with all the hounds, who were a bit perplexed by all the commotion and wrapping paper.



With all the gifts opened, it was time to go back home & get ready for our Christmas Eve dinner (we served Turporken, in case anyone has ever heard of that wonderful creation). Good thing we wore out the dogs in the morning, as the rest of the day was a blur with preparations and hosting about 20 people. Other than some short periods of havoc that were mostly related to someone ringing the doorbell (I'm going to hang a sign next year that says "just walk in"), the boys were excellent - even sleeping uneventfully through dinner. Considering that having 2 people over is a big/rare event at our home, the fact that Brutus was "pretty good" with almost 20 people here was remarkable.

Tune in tomorrow for Christmas day (unwrapped). I'll leave you with one last photo, to Brutus' dismay. He did not appreciate my idea of using Courtney's bag as a Frenchie-carrier!!


19 comments:

Kari in Alaska said...

Turporken? What a wonderful thing. Brutus does not look amused by being put in the bag! Are you ready for the Rose Bowl?

Freya's Human said...

What an awesome bag! I have never heard of Turporken sounds really fun.

I hope you guys have a great New Year!

Martine said...

Love the new "frenchie carrier"!

I think all the dogs across the land knew tht they needed to be good during Christmas Celebrations this year... I was very pleased with the kiddlets behaviour. Glad to her Brutus and the hounds were all well behaved as well!!

xo martine & the kiddlets

Two French Bulldogs said...

Brutus you look like you had a fun Christmas. Good job supervising those presents with those huge furry friends. The little adorable human doesn't look like she got the present she wanted. Stay warm..
Benny & Lily

Bijou said...

HI Brutus,

I hope you got a treat as a reward for being a good boy and staying in that bag. You sure don't look happy! BOL

Waggles,
Bijou

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

Hey Brutus, can those greyhounds even SEE you from way up there??? Your coat looks good and warm for walking about.
L O V E D your mom's bag. Just the right size for her to take your treats to trials in. RIGHT:::?
Super collar your sporting there buddy.
I have a question for you. Are you being PRESSURED into making one of those New Year's Resolution thingys??? Maybe we could all pack together and come up with ONE for all of us to use. I'm just sayin'.

Deborah said...

Can you tell us what Turporken is? I have never heard of it. The pictures of your family are great and I love Brutus's bag and coat!
Your Dad looks nice surrounded by his dogs! Very cute!!

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

I khan see all of woo had a furry merry khristmas!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: Mom says the sunrise pikh was pawesome!

Molly the Airedale said...

You sure don't look happy in your French carrier, Brutus!
We are so jealous of your snow! It looks so beautiful! Ours is all gone now!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Sonic said...

Only Poms and Chihuahuas belong in a bag!!! Pugs and other dogs are supposed to run free and wild!

I hope your momma has learned her lesson!

Sonic

Unknown said...

How Fun! I wish more people in my family had dogs, then I am sure Rugby's Christmas would have been better! :p

I also adore Brutus's new bag!

ScrapsofMe said...

Oh My....that is a HANDSOME coat! And you look so good in it too! You are quite the ladies man to hang out with all those glamourous runway model greyhounds girlies. I'm feeling a bit....short n chunky.

sniffies,
Bonnie

Lorenza said...

Hi, Brutus!
Glad you all had a nice time!
Now... tell your mom to tell us about Turporken!!
The bag is pawesome!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Smushie Ranch said...

That sounds like a beautiful way to start the day Brutus. I love the pictures of you walking in the snow in your stylish coat.

Love & Kisses,
Stella

p.s.
It looks like the hair on your lips is coming in... very nice.

Sam said...

I really love seeing the Hounds - they are such unique looking dogs! Sounds like you all had a great time this holiday. Friends, family, and good food - though I must admit, I've never heard of turporken!

Dexter said...

Bag o' Brutus! That's great.

The greyhounds do great synchronized napping. I bet they practice a ton.

Slobbers,
mango

Achieve1dream said...

Poor Brutus! I guess that's the bad thing about being small. :) I'm glad I'm a solid forty pounds. I can't wait to see the next post.

Jackal

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

We know how it is when the door bell rings - we all have to let everyone know.

XOXO
Lilly, Piper, Carrleigh and Java

Nika + PARKER said...

Looks like you had a great Christmas Eve.