We wish you....

a Merry Christmas!  
The pictures are out of order..but cookies are out and we are ready for Santa! 

The cancer...

 First club

 Second club

 Bandage

I haven't wanted to write about my health.. I didn't want to bring people down this close to Christmas, but since I have good news to report I will fill you all in.  This all started about two weeks ago. Chad put me up on Marshall's bed. I don't like it up there, it is very high.  While I was up there Heidi noticed something on my right paw. It looked like a large blackberry.  We called the vet the next day and took me in.  They took a sample and sent us on our way. Friday afternoon they called and told my people it was melanoma.  It needed to come off right way. Surgery was scheduled for Monday. My people were very nervous the whole weekend and until they called to say I was out of surgery.  They were able to remove the tumor, but had to take one of my toes.  The vet was worried if they took a toe I might never walk or run again.  I had to stay overnight. Chad and Marshall came to see me. I was very tired.  I was happy to go home the next day!  They put a cast on my leg.  It was hard to walk and very loud.  The tumor was sent off to a lab to see if they got it all.   I went back in Friday to change the cast.  Wednesday I went back in to have the cast removed and just bandages on my foot.  Could I walk.... YES!!  Yesterday we finally got the results.  They removed all the tumor!!  My vet is talking to a cancer to vet to see if we need to do full body x-rays to see if there is more. ( I hope we don't have to.)  We are trying to decide if we are doing to send the tumor to a big lab out of state for further analysis. It will show what stage, and chance of it returning.  The bad news.. other than I lost a toe. I have an infection.  I have to have antibiotics by injection daily.  They are strong so they have to check my kidneys too.  My people are hopeful all is well. I have had a rough couple months. I am walking and running! 

Aebelskiver by Heidi

 

 

Of course the holidays conjure up many memories for everyone. Every Christmas I think about my Grandma and her baking.  She made so many wonderful things every year.  Rosettes,  popcorn trees, krumkake, peanut butter cookies with the chocolate stars and aebelskiver.  Aebelskiver, Danish meaning apple slices (singular: æbleskive ).   I  know she would fill them, but I am not sure what all she used.  ( I can not get the italic to turn off...)   Apples? Chocolate? Jam?   Banana?  If anyone can remember please tell me.  I always wanted her pan, but my Dad couldn't find it. This summer my Mom bought me one.  I made my first batch tonight.  



 I miss my Grandma very much, especially at the holidays. I know I made her smile tonight.

 

 

 The pan and her NOEL in the background.

 Batter. I don't have her recipe. Anyone?

 Flipping and filling them. She used knitting needles.  It was really fun to watch. She was very fast. I used skewers.  We filled them with apple cinnamon jam, chocolate chips and bananas.  I rolled them in cinnamon and sugar.

They are yummy!  Marshall liked them too. 

Doors and trains

 Waiting for the train.

 Marshall looking down the tracks.

 Cool big tree waiting for Santa.

 Santa! 

 The train cars.  They were decorated inside.

 Decorating the front door.

Marshall and Heidi rode the Santa train. It is about a 20 minute train ride to another station. When you stop there are cookies and cocoa and Santa!  They rode the train back in the dark. It was a fun time. They had a big group of people.  Heidi felt like she took a bunch of pictures.. but not really. Maybe some of her friends got more she can add. 

500

 Marshall loves to hang out inside the coffee table.  (I kinda want to lock him in there.)

I don't know if you can tell, but this is a new couch.  My people had the old one just over 13 years. I don't spend much time on the couch, but I jumped on it before they could! I like it.  Needs more drool. 

What is the 500 for?  This is my 500th post.  I hope all my readers are doing well. 

Train and tail

 Marshall loves his new dinosaur. 

 My tail.  The fur is growing back. I am very protective of it. I usually tuck it in tight.

Marshall insisted on a picture of the dinosaur.

My place is all ready for Christmas.  Inside anyway. Not sure if we are going to do the outside or not.  Heidi and Marshall put together a gingerbread train. The box said easy.. it was not.  As soon as it was done, we ate part of it and tossed the rest. 

I got to go to the mall!

I went to the mall tonight. I walked right in!  I had my picture taken with Marshall.  I was excited!  It went well. I could be a model.  Here are a few that were taken tonight.  You'll have to wait for the Christmas card to see the best ones!  I went to a stand after the pictures that sells meat and cheese. I am a happy puppy! 

4!!!

A couple weeks old.

1st birthday.

2nd birthday.



     
3rd birthday.

4th birthday.

Today Marshall turned 4!  He had a fun day. He got to play a lot, watch a new movie and eat at  one of his favorite places. He had grilled cheese!  They sang to him.. he didn't like it.  Not because they sang to him, but he didn't want the ice cream they brought him.  Went we all got home he opened more presents.  He was so excited!  Right now he playing with some new toys. 

Marshall's party

Marshall had his 4th birthday at a children's museum.  He had a lot of fun!  His favorite place was a section that look like a mountain. There were "rocks" you turned over and there were animals underneath.  He had a private room to have cake and open gifts.  After the party they went to an amazing pizza place. I got some of the left overs! 
(There will be another post tonight after we have the family party.)

Paint and Perry

 Agent P needs to stay in shape.

Marshall did his first finger painting this week.  He had fun!  He went to a Halloween party yesterday. He had a blast!!  We lost his tail for about 24 hours.. It is wet and cold here today. I got to wrestle with the towel monster!  Now, I'm going to sit by the fire and relaxing. 

Wish lists

Heidi has started Christmas shopping.  She is asking you to update amazon wish lists. If you don't have one, please make one. It is so help full!   Thanks. 
I don't need one. I just want treats and balls. 

Mommy Marshall time

Marshall and Heidi decided to have some fun together today!  They rode the light rail downtown. They had just a couple things planned.  First stop Seattle Great Wheel.  It just opened this summer. It is 175 feet tall. It goes 40 feet over open water. Each gondola is fully enclosed and temperature controlled.  They had fun! 
  Next stop was for lunch, but they passed a carousel along the way.  They had lunch on the water. (M had grilled cheese.)  After lunch they had a coupon to spend at a store that was called The Hat Shop and Wooden toys.  They have two locations. Little did Heidi know when she bought the coupon the Seattle shop is only hats.  It is not easy to spend $50 in a hat store.  Live and learn.  ( I'll post pictures of the hats at some point.)  Walked through the market. Bought a cookie. Train ride home!