free time.

I know, I know. I haven't posted in weeks. My excuse? I've been busy. Incredibly busy. Between work, wedding planning and that dwindling thing called a social life my blog really hasn't seen much love this year. But, I'll leave you with these photos from a walk Tom and I took with Bear. We've found a new favorite Sunday walk spot with LOTS of puppies for Bear to romp with. I've got lots of photos to post and am taking a long weekend this weekend so MAYBE I'll get around to working on them. Crazy 2009 has just begun.

Enjoy!

oh bear.

I should've added this to the previous blog about Bear's amazing level of laziness so here's another photo of my lounging canine. Yes, he is using my pillow to rest his head. He has a very clear understanding of what pillows are used for and feels that he shouldn't be left out. Again, no job prospects in his future. I told him the Sunoco is hiring down the street but he wasn't impressed.

bear: the laziest, most spoiled dog alive

This is Bear. I thought I'd share some photos that have been building up on my computer. See, Tom and I are used to this. Every day when we get home from work Bear is there, excited, waiting, jumping and yelling at us to sit down, relax and cuddle. This dog is incapable of sitting on the floor by himself, he has to be snuggled under your arm, on your pillow, under the blankets or even, on top of you (pictured below). Tom and I have learned how to share over the years, but Bear has taken that to a whole new level. Every night I fall asleep with this drooly snout snoring, groaning and staring back at me. Oh, and as I write this I spy Bear curled up on Tom's side of the bed with his head on the pillow. What a life. Thanks Bear. Go get a job.

I'm fast asleep on the couch, a nightly routine, and Bear doesn't waste an ounce of space.

Passed out with his favorite squishy toy, Bear takes a snooze in his cutest pose.

Thanks for sharing Bear.

Worthless.

snow day!

Tom and I had a snow day last week when we got dumped with over two feet of snow (and then some!) Bear was suffering from a major case of cabin fever, so the three of us got out and played in the fluffy stuff. Forgot how much I missed these snowy winters...



Tug of war.



My Bear happy as can be.



Playing a little King of the Mountain with Tom.



Close inspection.

big snow!

woohoo! We have had the most amazing early snow this year in Vermont. I've been begging for a solid snowfall for the past two winters and I've finally gotten three big storms leaving no less than one foot - amazing. Just last night as I was nodding off I said "I hope I wake up to a foot of snow tomorrow morning!" and sure enough, like a kid on xmas morning, I peeked through the blinds and found this (see below). Having a few hours to kill before tonight's New Year's coverage for the Free Press I decided to try out my new snowshoes and take Bear for a walk at Shelburne Farms. I've always loved this spot and I think it may be Bear's new favorite as we stomped around in the deep stuff for an hour or so.



Before we get ahead of ourselves, this is what greeted me when I came home from snowshoeing! HA! My awesome neighbors George, Steph and Joe built this big guy in my parking spot. And after laughing about this little prank, Joe and Sarah had some tasty french toast hot off the griddle for me. I love my neighbors - you guys are the best.



Here's my brother Todd and Bear in one of my favorite spots at Shelburne Farms.



Some frozen berries still dangle from this tree at Shelburne Farms. Yes, that's Todd and Bear off in the distance.



Tom and I took Bear along the Winooski River on Sunday and came along these stumps - looks like the beavers beat us to it!



Here's Bear at Shelburne Farms again running along the great arbor trail.



My two babes.



He got a real kick out of this trail.

the tale of the flying bicycle

I pass by this bicycle every time I walk through the Intervale, but only today did I decide to take a picture of it. I'm not sure if this is some sort of scarecrow watching over the berry bushes or maybe it's some form of art installation I know nothing about. There are a lot of things in Burlington that make me scratch my head, but I figure they are all just some form of art installation that are on an entirely different level, a different plane than my brain. Either way, I think it's cool just the way it is sitting perched up there all day. Now how awesome would it be to get a picture of the bike with me perched on top of it. All in good time.



The Flying Bicycle



Bear has an undying love for tall grass. He races through the reeds at top speed and really just looks like some sort of crazy pack animal from the jungle. Bear is smiling.



I scooped up this little guy off of the bike trail - watch out!



Stoic little frog.



Bear, being a bit overexcited, jumped into the Winooski River. I think he is now realizing how damn cold it is.



Not sure. Fun little flowers and seeds.



Old school. Let's try this in black and white.

six years.

Tom and I have made it six whole years...wow. We decided to celebrate by taking a nice hike up the Sterling Pond portion of The Long Trail. We picked a perfect day, despite a bit of rain on the way down. Wait, a LOT of rain. We kept a good pace though and showed those Quebec tourists why Vermont is simply perfect.




View from the top of Smuggs. Can't believe I'll be skiing down this in two months!



Once we reached the top there is a great pond, Sterling Pond, for everyone to cool down in....or just Bear. I was jealous.






Pretty moss formations.



Bear mugging for the camera. I have him trained so well. :)



Beautiful foliage on our descent. Rain was just starting to come down and made everything so lush!



Taking a breather at the top at Sterling Pond.



Wish I brought my bathing suit!



Tom is feeling a bit weird about hiking ski trails with no skis...anyone for freestyle walking?



Bear fishing for trout.




Good watering spot, nothing like a sip of moss-filtered mountain run-off. Poland Springs? Nah.



These leaves done tuuuurned.



More foliage on the descent. I think this is seconds before Bear bailed over the edge of the trail. You think I'd be careful during my turn? Nah, fell at the same spot.



This is a pretty good representation of how we felt afterwards. If the dog is this tired....

Happy Six Years Tommy!