by chance...

I was just snapping pictures of the dogs while I was snapping pictures of tonights sunset, and THIS came out.... 
I figured it was blog-worthy, since he didn't get a good one on the blog from yesterday! ;-)

This was taken in my guest bedroom... and yes, that IS the wall color :)

the kids, hanging out

Just some casual shots from last night as the sun was setting...  some came out really pretty, if I do say so myself ;-) 

I might be biased tho ;-)

Piper is a grazer extraordinaire...  look close... she's carrying a snack for later on her nose... LOL

My bubba...  i just love this simple shot of Kota....  it's such a perfect representation of his expression most often!

And P...  yea.... pretty typical Piper here too... LOL

Pie taking a break to sniff the wind....

Sedona, the grazing apprentice...

You'd never guess what I had to say to get this expression....  not cookies, not treats, or walks, or dinner....

I had to say "you wanna see Curtiss?"  *sigh*  Oh well, at least I know she loves him! 

The beautiful merle head...  I just love the patterns that blue merles can create...  and each one different.  I love it!!

Ko, from behind... 

The anatomy of "Kota's evening of love"...

"one for you...."

"and one for you too"

"I'm such a nice boy, huh mom??"

I wanted to photograph something to show the wind... this was the best I could get.  Not nearly as good as Kate's shot of Dex in the wind, but it'll do ;-)

A funny picture of Chancey coming toward me

Happy Happy Pippy Puppy...  silly goon :)

looking to the skies....

The other night we had a full moon.  I've always wanted to photograph the moon - this was the best I could get.... 

The anatomy of a sunset (from last night). 

I liked the contrast in the colors in the clouds here...

poofy and sweepy in one picture :)

the sunset begins...

There are better sunsets to come yet this season, but I thought some of these were pretty...n

Something pretty for the dogs....

I've LONG had lead envy...  those pretty kangaroo leather ones with the pretty beads...  I just couldn't fork out that much money.  I found this lady at the dog show in Flagstaff (and I think I had seen her before too). 

Her name is Jamie, and her website is at www.arizonaridgebacks.com/id47.html

She was great and helped me customize it the whole way.  She showed me so many bead options, but in the end, I went for the below...  I thought it was nice and gender neutral, and will work with my "favored colors" :) 

The darker bead is actually Hemotite .

Now I get to wait until the fall to use it...  *sigh*  LOL  Tho, I did just find out there is a dog show in the Denver area (I think) while I'm in CO for school....  I'm tempted to enter....  ;-)

Happy 4th Birthday, Sedona

Today my pretty pretty princess turned 4!! 

And Piper wanted to join in the fun, too! :) 

Sedona spends more time at the dog bed than the other dogs...  because she IS a princess and must rest on a pillow!  :) 

Chance was happy to celebrate with his sister too! :)

Sedona, just relaxing on her birthday.... 

What a pretty thing!

Kota enjoyed having mom's spot on the couch for a bit....  ;-) 

and yes, he was booted to the other side, but he's still smiling! :)

When we all went outside to clean up, Sedona just relaxed on the porch...  :) 

Four years ago my pretty little made-to-order puppy was born.  Seems hard to believe how fast the time has passed!  Just yesterday she was the cutest little baby who would sleep on the lower shelf of tables.  :)  She catches everyone's eye because she's "SO PRETTY" and she knows she's adored.  :)  She shares my pillow (no one else does) at night.  She licks and licks and licks me and when I move, she moves and continues to lick. 
I'm so thankful that she is so close to finishing her Championship finally..  it's been a long road, but we're almost there! 
Happy happy birthday, pretty pretty princess...  Love you tons and tons Sissy.... 

Happy 1st Birthday, Piper

Little Pickles was born last in the litter and lifeless.  Jeri et al spent time rubbing little naughty number nine and alive and alert she became....

:)

This is how Piper spent her 1st birthday.  Grazing on little grass patches in the back yard. 

A happy smile and a wag greets anyone who says HI!

"Come here, Piper!!!"

She's a good girl (most of the time), though mouthy and full of opinions.  She has no fear (thanks Pilot! ;-) ) and has launched herself off of things she shouldn't.  She kills all toys and INSISTS that any toy someone else has MUST be hers.... NOW.  :)  Interestingly though, she doesn't bark at the door when the others do.  She chooses to wait until it's only HER voice we hear, I guess.  ;-) 

Piper likes to be a velcro dog....  she would LOVE it if I always let her lay on me in some manner.  :) 

Always the first to greet me with a kiss in the morning, Piper loves being the center of attention.  :) 

It's hard to believe the Charm kids are a year old...  it seems like I just picked her up from the airport!!

Love you, you silly goony puppy-girl...  :) 

Sunday - Flagstaff, Oak Creek Canyon, and Sedona in Sedona... :)

I loved this last weekend, in some of the most beautiful places in the state.... :)  Below is the trip home, from Flagstaff down through Oak Creek Canyon and into Sedona.

The above and below were taken at the top of the 'switchbacks' on 89A (the highway).  There is a view point there looking down into the Oak Creek Canyon. 

Walking back to my car in the parking lot, I found some pretty things to photograph....  :)

I stopped at a pull out after the 'switchbacks' and took a short hike down to the creek.  When I got out of my car, I found myself in a group of dragonflies. 

The Oak Creek...  :) 

There was a rock slide....  you can see it in the pictures from the 'view point' - the first few pictures.... 

Some of the creamy orange rock in the mountains.... 

I stopped to take a picture of some lovely mountains, and I saw this.  There was a fire in the area, and I thought it was neat, to see the new growth coming from the charred tree....

And when I turned around, this is what I saw :)  Pretty orange box in the trees.... :) 

More pretty mountains......

This one is my favorite.  Snoopy Rock.  See it?? 

Hey - I had to do it....  :) 

It's some of the most beautiful country, in my opinion.  If you ever find yourself in the area, it's an absolute MUST in my book.  :)

Sunday, dog show wise ended up good too!  In the breed ring, Chance earned his first points towards his Grand Championship, which was fun.  He really enjoying being back out there! He may have to dip his paw into the Breed ring from time to time ;-)

A few hours later, Dakota and I went into the Rally ring.  I was really worried because it was outside with all those yummy smells, but he did REALLY well!  We only really fumbled on one station, but we got through it.  During the honor exercise we were to have them sit.  The last station before the finish (which was right across the ring exit from the Honor exercise) was Halt, Stand, Down.  Well I'll be darned... Kota heard that lady tell her dog 'down' so he did!  At the very last second....  I couldn't believe it! LOL  He blew the Honor exercise his first day in ABQ too!  I swore it said "DQ".  I chekced the score and it was a 79.  When I left there, I thought that because we blew the Honor exercise.  What I learned THIS weekend was that messing up the honor exercise takes away 10 points.  So the reason I thought I saw DQ, but maybe it was NQ, was because of the -10 points, we no longer qualified (need a 70).  So THIS weekend, we got a 97, but then he goofed the Honor exercise, so we ended with an 87 and 3rd place!  :)  I was super pleased that he ended with a good performance! It was his best, by far.

**EDIT**
I failed to mention that this 87 and 3rd place finished up his RE title!!!  Duh, me!!  Kota is (pending AKC confirmation: CH C-Myste Dakota, RE, CGC :)  Up next either Freestyle, or his CD.... or maybe both :)

It made the drive home even better!  :)