Gettin' In The Christmas Spirit

I started listening to Christmas music pretty early this year (aka the day after Halloween).  To be fair though, that's when it started snowing here in Tahoe so... I think that justifies things.  Anyway, I would think about all of the Christmas gifts I wanted to get for friends and family while I drove to and from work, blaring my Christmas jams.  

Then, I kinda lost the spirit.  Once the decorations were up... things felt a little more tedious.  Instead of thinking "Oh, so-and-so would LOVE that as a gift," I was thinking "I still gotta buy this... and I still gotta buy that... and I still gotta get Christmas cards, etc."  

I disliked my Scrooge attitude but wasn't sure what to do about it.  I realized that I do still get pretty sad around Christmas time because that's when our beloved Zater started getting sick.  So, to squash any puppy related sadness I was feeling, I resolved to spend more time with this guy: 

LOOK AT THAT FACE! 

We've been trying to stay active every day... going for hikes in this AMAZING place that we get to call home for a while.  And it has truly been helping. 

RUNNING LAPS IN THE SNOW

RUN RUN RUN... THEN TURN AROUND AND
RUN BACK. 

OVER AND OVER.... 

... AND OVER AGAIN. 

LOOK AT MY HANDSOME BOY

WE'VE TAKEN LONG WALKS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD...
ON THE TRAILS NEAR OUR HOUSE...
AND THROUGH FROSTY MEADOWS TO THE BEACH. 

 Our sweet Zater will always be loved and missed.  But our sweet Zephyr is here now and he deserves our love and attention.  

Even when he does this... 

SO REALLY THIS IS ACTUALLY MY FAULT.
HE DIDN'T GET IN THE TRASH...
I LEFT SOME TRASH ON THE FLOOR NEXT
TO THE TRASHCAN. 
THAT'S FAIR GAME FOR HIM. 
SO I KINDA DESERVED TO COME HOME TO THIS. 

SERIOUSLY.  WOULD YOU LOOK AT THIS
SWEET DOG? 

EVENING WALKS WITH ZEPHYR. 

THIS IS RIGHT UP THE STREET FROM OUR HOUSE.
THE LOT IS FOR SALE IF ANY OF OUR READERS
ARE INTERESTED...
IT'S A STEAL AT 1.6 MILLION. 
(I SECRETLY HOPE THEY NEVER SELL IT SO WE
CAN CONTINUE ENJOYING THE VIEW). 

The ski resorts are all open.  Mike is back at work as a patroller.  It has been PLENTY cold to make it feel like Christmas. 

We've been doing Christmas-y things.  We had dinner last night with some friends from So Cal.  Our pups got together and played a bit.  It was so nice to catch up and enjoy a delicious meal (and a few adult beverages... and the best part is they are our neighbors so we can walk home).  

SWEET TALLY AND ZEPHYR

And today, FINALLY, I found myself back in the Christmas spirit.  I got our cards in the mail.  We received our first cards from friends/family in the mail.  I went shopping for gifts for loved ones and found gifts I'm super excited about!  It didn't feel like a chore anymore!  YAY!  And Mike had the day off and we spent it as a family at the beach: 

PEACEFUL, CALM WATERS

WE CAN'T KEEP HIM OUT OF THE WATER.
IT'S NOT POSSIBLE. 

RIDICULOUSLY BLESSED TO LIVE IN THIS BEAUTIFUL PLACE. 

NOT A GREAT PANO BUT YOU GET THE IDEA. 

Well folks, that's the latest from Tahoe.  We are getting in the spirit and we hope you are too.  I've already mentioned this to most of you but I'm headed to NC in a couple of weeks and I can't wait to see everyone.  The only thing that would make Tahoe better is if all of you lived here too!  Until I see you all in a few weeks... MUCH LOVE FROM TAHOE.  XOXO.