Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and I hope you have a very Happy New Year!

Our Christmas was very good. Santa was very good to me. He told me that Home Depot will be delivering wood for my new fence. I am very excited! We went to lots of houses and opened lots of presents.

The week following Christmas has been full as well. Daddy and GrandDanny have been building Noah's room and I have had to supervise! Mommy has taken lots of pictures, so I will ask her to post them for me. You will have to see all of the chaos.

Have a safe New Year!

Love,
~Maggie

Vacation - Day 8 - Vacation is Complete

Well, that is it... my first vacation has now come and gone. I am back at home in "Maggie's House" and life is getting back to normal! I was sad to see vacation go, but I sure am glad to be back home!

We had one last funny story before we left the cabin! It would only happen to me!

Everyone woke up early Sunday morning to complete packing and ready to head home. Daddy and GrandDanny quickly found that the steps were again frozen solid. This required some thought for how to pack the cars. They quickly found out that they had to go down the side of the hill with everyone suitcase to load the cars. Then they found out that the cars were frozen. Daddy started the car and let it warm up for 30 minutes while they loaded the cars.

Daddy and GrandDanny got all of my stuff loaded (and everyone elses!) GrandDanny helped Uncle Paul finish his stuff while Daddy took me on a good walk before the ride home. After my walk, Daddy decided to go ahead and put me in the car while he helped Mommy and Momma Gena to the car. I was SO excited! Mommy could hear me barking! Just as Momma Gena got to the car, I accidentally locked the doors. She could hear the doors lock. Mommy started to panic because I was in the car with the car running! GrandDanny started to laugh... he knew that he had a spare key in his wallet! It was such a close call! :-)

So we headed on our way. Everyone stopped at Shoney's for breakfast before the trip home. I took a quick power nap while everyone ate.

I did much better on the ride home. I even laid down in Mommy's lap most of the ride. By the time we got home, I was so exhausted. I quickly checked out my back yard and then made my bed on the couch. I stayed there for several hours.

Nina, Papaw, Aunt Dorinda and Meghan came by our house after church. Papaw could not stand it any more and had to come see me! :-) As soon as they left, I was ready for bed! Mommy was not ready to go to bed, so I went to an extreme that I have never done before! I made a bed in my "bedroom" and stayed under the covers. I never get in my "bedroom" unless Mommy and Daddy are leaving. Mommy woke me up and we headed to bed.

It felt so good to be back in Maggie's bed. I slept and snuggled all night with Mommy.

And that is the first vacation of Maggie!

~Maggie

Vacation - Day 7 - Turkeys, Turkeys, & More Turkeys

I saw 9 turkeys today.

The family and I loaded up and headed to the Sugarland Visitors Center. There was a festival that everyone wanted to walk thru. I was not allowed to go through this part, so I took a nap in the suburban. Daddy and GrandDanny came and got me when it was time to go on the walking trail.

We headed over to do the Gatlinburg Walking Trail. Daddy kept saying that it was only 2 miles there and 2 miles back. The family was not quite up for that long of a walk, but I was ready to go! As we started on our trail, a turkey crossed the street in front of us. I instantly saw it. I actually hesitated, not knowing quite what it was. Then my instincts kicked in. I started barking! Daddy could hardly hold me back. Uncle Paul and GrandDanny walked down to where the turkey had crossed and found many more turkeys. There were 8 more. My barking startled them and they decided to cross the street in another location. Everyone tried to block my view from the turkeys, but it did not work to well. I think they forgot that my nose smells so much more.

Momma Gena and GrandDanny took Jake back to the car because it was too cold. Mommy, Daddy, Aunt Jennifer, Uncle Paul and I kept going. Mommy and Aunt Jennifer decided that they would keep going as long as they could and then we would turn back. We quickly found out that the trail was the trail to Gatlinburg. We walked about a half of a mile and turned back. Daddy took me down to the creek to sniff before we turned back.

I had such a blast on our long walk. I took care of my business and even peed 9 times... just to mark my trail. Mommy and Aunt Jennifer laughed at me! I also tried to walk on the bridge ledge and scared Aunt Jennifer. I just wanted to see what was below the bridge.

I found myself in my bedroom not too long afterwards while the family headed off to Pigeon Forge for one last trip. Everyone had a late lunch/early dinner and then hit some of the shops. They walked around Gatlinburg, without me, for one last night. I really do not know why they did not come and get me!

Did I tell you that Aunt Jennifer heard a bear in the middle of the night?? She thought at first that it was me, and then realized that it was outside of her bedroom window. When Daddy and I went out for our morning walk, the trash can had been taken across the driveway and the trash had been strewn down the hill. Daddy and I first thought that it was the raccoon that we saw the other day, but then we decided that the raccoon could not carry the trash can that far.

We are now back at the cabin for our last night. Everyone is frantic to pack everything up so that we can head out in the morning. I am excited to sleep in my bed tomorrow night and be able to check out my backyard. Nina and Papaw may come see us tomorrow night... I hope so... I have treats for them!

And that was my first vacation!

~Maggie

Vacation - Day 6 - SNOW

I could not wait until tomorrow to post these pictures. I saw SNOW today! Not too much, but enough for me to smell!

The family and I headed off to Roaring Fork for a nature ride through the mountain. I really liked looking and walking through the snow!

Mommy, Daddy and I took our Christmas Card photo today. Aunt Jennifer helped by taking the picture.

We had a lady that was really rude today... at least that is what Mommy said. She said that if the park ranger found me that he would charge Mommy and Daddy a $300 fine for me being there. We quickly took our picture and headed back to the car.

The car stopped again to take a snow picture of Jake. While walking back to the car, Aunt Jennifer hit the ground. Daddy said that he knew she broke her ankle, but luckily nothing was broken. She is very sore tonight!

Daddy is working on the pictures that he took with the big camera. I asked if he would make it so I can post some. They are awesome!

Gotta Run!

~Maggie

Vacation - Day 5 - A Varmint Outside

Thursday started out to be my normal. I woke up bright and early and begged Daddy to take me outside. After a little while, Daddy finally gave in.

We walked down our 3 flights of stairs and out the door we went. I suddenly stopped dead in my tracks... I was not even off of the porch yet. A varmint was walking off of our porch and down the railroad ties. It really was not a varmint, but just a raccoon. And I have never seen a raccoon before! I did not know what to do. All of the hair on my neck and back stood straight up. But I did not bark at it. I watched it walk away.

Since then, I keep checking to see if he raccoon is outside. I have yet to see it again.

The afternoon and evening turned out lazy. I found myself back in my bedroom while everyone went to the Apple Barn for lunch. They finished shopping in Pigeon Forge and then returned to our home.

Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Paul asked to have a date night and headed out to dinner. That meant that I got to babysit. (Not really, but I did watch Jake!)

Mommy, Daddy, Momma Gena and GrandDanny played another round of cards. I think Mommy won. She was very excited!

When Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Paul returned home, Mommy made extreme smores for everyone. Extreme meant extra chocolate and 2 marshmallows. Daddy and GrandDanny made smeese for themselves. Have you ever heard of a smeese? It is a saltine cracker, cheddar cheese and a marshmallow. It did not look too good to me. Uncle Paul did not like them but Aunt Jennifer sure does!

It is snowing outside today. Not enough to do anything though. I think we are going for a ride today! Mommy told me that I have to wear my sweater or my jacket because it is so cold outside. I think that means I get to go. Don't know where I am going, but I will let you know!

~Maggie

Vacation - Day 4 - A Lazy Day

Wednesday was a very lazy day for me. Everyone enjoyed doughnuts for breakfast and hung tight around the cabin. It was raining outside, so no one wanted to go anywhere.

Mommy felt much better when she woke up. She took some medicine that the doctor told her she can take, and it seemed to help.

The family left around lunch time and headed to the arts and crafts of Gatlinburg. They said that I would not like it and that I had to stay in my bedroom. I did not like that vote. Mommy and Daddy have figured out that I do not like being in my bedroom at the cabin. I hesitate to go in every time. I thought that I was on vacation and that meant that I would not have to stay in my bedroom. I guess I was wrong!

The family had lunch at a British Pub and then went shopping. The girls really wanted to go to the outlets so GrandDanny stayed home with me. You would not believe what GrandDanny and I saw from the balcony of our cabin. It was a C-A-T! I did not know that they have those here. I went nuts! GrandDanny and I cooked dinner while the family was gone. Daddy took Mommy, Momma Gena and Aunt Jennifer shopping while Uncle Paul and Jake went to a knife store. Mommy and Daddy bought lots of stuff, but nothing for Maggie. How fair is that?? Mommy and Daddy picked out some outfits for Noah. Mommy says that she is looking for a stuffed bear for me, but I have not seen one yet!

After dinner, the family enjoyed a nice card game. They would not let me play! I kept begging to go outside, so Mommy opened the doors to the balcony and I can sit out there. I really like the balcony. Daddy is afraid that I might try to get out of the balcony if I see something that I really want. The only trouble is that the balcony is over 3 floors high. I hope that I have more sense then that! I may not? Who knows!

Thursday is again another rainy day. I do not know what today will hold! I guess that we will see!

~Maggie

Vacation - Day 3 - The Longest Walk EVER!

On Tuesday, I had the longest walk that I have ever had. It lasted for almost 3 hours! Can you believe it! My family took me walking up and down the streets of Gatlinburg. I did not get to go into the shops, but I had a blast smelling everything. Mommy said that she was so proud of me! I hardly even talked to the other shoppers, but they sure talked to me. Several kids rubbed my head.

I was so exhausted when we got back to the cabin. Daddy took me out so that I could do my "business" and then I was in for the night.

The day started out in my bedroom because my family took off to Cherokee, North Carolina. They said they had a good time, but did not see much while there. Daddy did buy him some cool looking house shoes called Moccasins. They look like something I could chew on, but I don't do that! Daddy said that the mountain going and coming from Cherokee was snowy and foggy. Momma Gena was afraid that they would not make it back home. I sure am glad that they did.

After our Gatlinburg walk, Daddy came home and made potato soup, just as promised to Mommy. It made her throat feel much better. She really did not feel good and went to bed soon after dinner. I snuggled in night-night with her!

And that was Maggie's vacation - day 3!

~Maggie

Vacation - Day 2 - I found a Bear!

I really did find a bear! And look below... I barked at it! And guess where the bear was??

It was in our cabin! Can you believe it??

Daddy tried to show me the bear, but I did not believe him! So now, every time I am downstairs, I bark at the bear.

This is our "home" for the week! My bedroom is the very top, left window! I share my bedroom with Mommy and Daddy.

The thing that I like the most about vacation is the walks that I get. But there are tons of mountains on our walk. Daddy says that we will loose weight from our walks. I enjoy them. Daddy is out of breath when we get back, but I want more!

This is my Mommy and Daddy at Ober Gatlinburg! Don't tell Mommy but she is getting fat! :-) Oh Wait - that is just Noah!

This is my Momma Gena and GrandDanny!

This is my Aunt Jennifer, Uncle Paul & Jake!

Daddy thought it would be funny to throw a snowball at Momma Gena!

I do not think she was very happy about it!

We tried to go downtown to Gatlinburg last night, but everything closed too early! Daddy even was mean and dressed me in my sweater and told me that we were going and then we did not go. Last night was a quiet night in the cabin (except for when I found the bear!)

I am having a good time on vacation. My family is about to take me downtown. I am so excited! Mommy woke up with a soar throat this morning, so she does not feel too good. I suggle with her to make her feel better! I think Daddy is going to make some potato soup for dinner. Yum!

And that's Maggie's vacation, day 2!

~Maggie

ps - Papaw, I miss you! And Nina too!

Vacation - Day 1 - Riding SUCKS!

Navigating from Momma Gena's lap!



Navigating from the back seat for the few minutes that I sat there!


Momma Gena told me that I could say that because it did! I made it though! I had to help navigate the whole way here! I started out in Momma Gena's lap but GrandDanny traded places with Daddy and let him drive so Mommy ended up in the front seat!

I sat in Mommy's lap the entire way here. I laid down once to sleep but I heard Indians in the car and that concerned me. (It really was not Indians, but it was GrandDanny yawning!) I saw lots of cows on the trip up. Momma Gena thought she saw a turkey, but I did not.


Our 5 1/2 hour trip ended up lasting a little over 7 hours. We had 6 stops on the way here. Our first stop was the Tennessee rest area. I had SO much to smell that I had a really bad breathing attack. It scared everyone. Mommy and Daddy could not get me to catch my breath, so I had to breathe through it.


Our second stop was lunch. Daddy let me out of the car for a few minutes and then put me back in while he ate lunch. That was the ONLY time that I slept for the trip up. I caught a 45 minute nap while they ate. We stopped for gas and then stopped at the Apple Valley Country Store for a quick restroom stop. I smelled so much again! On the way into town, we were caught in Christmas parade traffic. But this was not any normal Christmas parade. There were lots of 4-wheelers, horses and old cars. No floats. It was really weird!


We finally made it into Gatlinburg. After stopping at the rental office, we made it to our log cabin. I did not know what to think. This place has 3 levels of stairs. There were tons of smells! Mommy and Daddy showed me our bedroom, so I made my place by "wallering" on the bed. Mommy called Nina to tell her that we were here, so I talked to Nina as well. Mommy took me on a walk while the boys unloaded the cars. We walked up a huge hill and stopped to talk to some people. Mommy was really tired after our walk.


Daddy, GrandDanny and Uncle Paul left for the grocery store and Pizza. They came home with a few extra items that were not on the grocery list from Aunt Jennifer! Daddy said that they had a few sales -- purchase $100 worth of groceries and get Double Stuffed Oreos for $3.00.


Everyone, but Jake, were so tired from the trip up. Mommy and Daddy headed off to bed and I followed. It took me a few minutes to settle down, but I quickly found my place in the king sized bed and slept all night. Woke up at 9:30 this morning ready for my morning walk.


I will take pictures today and let you see them. Check back for Vacation - Day 2!


~Maggie

Visitors at my house!

Meet Asia! She came to visit me last Thursday all the way from Washington (state, not DC.) She is almost 2 years old.

Asia came with her mommy and daddy. Her mommy and daddy are professional photographers who came to Birmingham to teach a photography class to wedding photographers. They are friends of Papaw's.

I liked having Asia around, though I did not tell her too much. She played with me and my toys. She even put make-up on me. I really liked hearing her call my name.

Sorry, Asia, that I did not play more with you! We will next time you come to visit! I hope you enjoyed your trip to Birmingham, Alabama!

~Maggie

Happy Belated Thanksgiving

I hope you had a very Happy Thanksgiving! I sure did! It started out on Tuesday and went non-stop all the way through the weekend! I am so sorry that I am just now able to update my blog, but Mommy has been too busy to help me with my pictures. The time did give me a chance to get more pictures. I wish I could show all of them to you, but I don't want to bored you with them!

My Holiday week started out at Grandma's house. Mommy and I had to go sit with Grandma on Tuesday afternoon while Nina was at a Thanksgiving Dinner. Papaw came with us just in case we needed him. (If Grandma were to fall, Mommy could not help her up... wanna know why?? Mommy's tummy is getting bigger and it is getting in the way!) Papaw took me on my deer walk, but I did not find anything but a cat in the barn and a squirell in the tree. I did make my place in Grandma's lap! I sure do love laying in Grandma's lap!




Wednesday was a big work day for Mommy and Daddy. I stayed at Momma Gena's house and help prepare for Thanksgiving Dinner. We had Thanksgiving lunch at Momma Gena's on Thursday. Aunt Jennifer, Uncle Paul and Jake were there. Aunt Barbara and Uncle Mike came up from Clanton. I really like my Aunt "Bobby" and Uncle Mike! The picture below is me after my Thanksgiving lunch. Boy does turkey make you tired -- and we did not even have turkey. Oh Wait - that is what I do every afternoon - NAP! Mommy and Daddy headed out to Leeds to visit but I was not up for it. They went to see Nanny (I did not want to see Buddy) and then planned to go to Grandma's house (where the deer are) but ended up at The Bass Pro Shop. They went shopping and tried to win gift cards. They did not stay too long, it was cold!




Friday proved to be a busy day. It started out with Mommy and Daddy cleaning house. Momma Gena and GrandDanny came over to help Daddy pull the Christmas decor out of the attic. I tried to help, but Daddy would not let me. I got really nervous when all of the furniture in the living room started to move. They rearranged our whole living room. (I do like the new set up though!) The Christmas tree is pretty. I like all of the lights on it. Mommy pulled the tree skirt out and found a piece of dog food on it that Freckles left. (She found it last year also, but chose to leave it on there.) Freckles had a habit of hiding dog food and felt the need to hide it in the tree skirt. I think it is funny! Mommy cried! (hormones!)

That night ended up with a party. We had tons of people at our house. Mommy and Daddy decided to start a Christmas Kick Off Party with dinner and a Christmas movie. Hardly anyone watched the movie. (Look at the pictures below and you will see why!)

It was the first time in a long time that my little cousins were together. Jake is in the white shirt and Shawn in the red. Everyone kept playing with them. I left them alone! Shawn shared his toys with Jake and Jake tried to bite Shawn. It was funny! It was as if they could not figure each other out! They had a good time anyway. I pulled my toys out and tried to play, but Aunt Jonica and Aunt Jennifer would not let the boys play with my toys.

Saturday was again another big day. It was the annual Iron Bowl Football Game. (That means Alabama played Auburn!) We went to Aunt Jennifer's house for the game and to eat BBQ. Papaw ended up coming over -- Nina and Meghan went to the game! Mommy said that she did not want to go to the game because it was cold and rainy! Papaw came over and shared his BBQ with me. The picture below shows him feeding me with a fork. Mommy wanted me to be sure to clarify that Papaw was finished eating when he let me eat off of his fork. It also was a plastic fork!

Less than a week until Maggie goes on vacation - at least that is what everyone keeps saying! Usually vacation means Mommy and Daddy leave and I go to Papaw's house. For some reason I do not think that is what this means. Mommy and Daddy keep talking about mountains and a long car ride. Momma Gena said something this morning about walking trails in Gatlinburg. What is Gatlinburg? I guess I will have to wait and see. Mommy said that she is taking her computer and I can use it to update. So be sure to check my blog for Gatlinburg updates! I guess I am excited! :-)

Oh well - that's just the dog's life!

~Maggie