Merry Christmas!

Bosco, Skyler & I just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. We had a nice quiet day here just hanging out w/ Schuck Handsome at the house. We had plans to go snowshoeing but there's not much snow here in Missoula. I hope everyone had a great day w/ friends and family

Merry Grizmas Griz Nation

Although our boys did not take home the national title no one from Griz Nation can deny that they are damn proud of these guys. The Montana Grizzlies went 14-1.
& yes, all my dogs gear up for Griz game days as well.

Welcome Creek Trail

It's been in the negatives all week (not even including the windchill, it's been cold! brr!) so when the temperature rose to 9 degrees today Chris & I decided to get the pups out while during the warm spell.So we headed up Rock Creek to the Welcome Creek Wilderness to trek the Welcome Creek Trail. The trail first passes over an Indiana Jones-style suspension bridge.

Doggin it Missoula

Christopher's pup, Schuck Handsome, decided Chris has been doing too many kool photo stories and wanted in on some of the action. So Schuck borrowed Chris' camera equipment & set out to do his own little project.
If you've ever been to Missoula, Montana, you already know what it means to be in love. What most people do not know is that Missoula is not only a mecca for people but for their canine companions as well. See for yourself through the eyes of Schuck.
This is Schuck's story. Enjoy.

Stress Less

Stress Less Week is an event put on by the University of Montana to help students cope with the stress of finals. This event is put on every semester during the last week of classes. The University Center is transformed for a few days into a haven for students to take a break from the academic grind. Funny movies are on hand, food, messages, meditations, crafts, comedians, and many more activities are available for students to participate in at no cost to them.

A booth is set up for Delta certified teams, like Skyler & I, for students to enjoy the calming benefits of dogs (especially dogs like Skyler). Students filter in and out, petting the dogs & sharing stories of dogs in their lives. It's a great even that Skyler has enjoyed thoroughly each time even though she may not show it in the same way as the other dogs.

Sidelines

It sometimes pays to know to right people...

Since I'm no longer a student & I usually work Saturday afternoons I haven't made it to a Griz football game all season. Sad, I know, but I can usually at least catch parts of them on the radio at work.

So once again the Griz found themselves in the playoffs (quarter finals to be exact) and I found myself w/ a ticket & the day off. I stared the game in the student section with my room mate Kyle & friends.
Kyle is a writer for MontanaGrizzlies.com & needed to be on the sidelines for the second half of the game. After stopping by his office at halftime to snag his press pass, I was given one as well to accompany him onto the field!! (Thanks again!) Kyle was an awesome tour guide & instead of just walking onto the field he brought me onto it via the tunnel that the players run down & onto the field at the start of the games. Kyle also showed me around the press box & took me onto its roof where cameras broadcast the game to all over the country.

The Griz shut out SF Austin 51-0 and advanced to the semi-finals!

GO GRIZ!!!

FunPlace Database

My sister-in-law, Laura, and her sister have created a website to help parents find fun, kid friendly places to go with the family no matter where you live in the country.

I may not have kids but I think this is a great idea (& maybe they'll start something similar up for dog owners in the future? heh heh)!

Click on the icon above to go to their site. So go add a fun place & find one too while you're there!

Happy Thanksgiving

Just wishing everyone a

Happy Thanksgiving!

Grandchildren

My Dad seems to complain a lot when I don't put up pictures of the grandchildren I've given him so I thought I had better get up a picture of them for him to enjoy. Enjoy Daddio :-)

GrizBug aka Karley Jane

Today my niece, Karley Jane, joined the world. I don't have stats on her yet but both Kristen & GrizBug are going great! Congrats to not only Kristen & Jose but also to new big brothers Bub & Cameron! Can't wait to see/meet everyone!


UPDATE 11/13/09:

Karley Jane Byers entered the world on 11/12/2009 @ 10:18pm.

She weighted in at 7 lb 2 oz and was 19 inches long.

Mill Creek Trail to Mill Creek Falls

We're starting to see a fair amount of snow up in the mountains so Kristin & I are having to sit down each week and strategically plan our our hikes. We plan a hike higher up for good weather as well as one a little lower for bad weather.
The Mill Creek Trail follows along side the rushing Mill Creek continuously to the Mill Creek Falls, with soaring canyon walls towering over the trail.We stopped along the trail at a 60-foot waterfall and swimming hole at the base of the falls.
Would just like to say good luck to my sister Kristen & her hubby Jose as they are in the hospital right now as Kristen is giving birth any time now!

Fuzzy

I've been working with a malamute breeder and her puppies in one of my puppy preschool classes. It's been a different class setting working with these puppies but fun none the less. I just thought I'd share some of the picture's taken during the class b/c they're so fuzzy and freaking adorable.
These are 10 and 11 week old malamute puppies. Don't let their cuteness fool you tho, they weigh about 35 lbs already & are quite a hand full! Please contact a professional before adding a new puppy to your home to make sure you get the right fit for your lifestyle and your family!

Official Junior Blue Goose Ranger

One of my friend's from high school was flying into Denver, CO to visit one of her friends from college. Seeing as how she had traveled so far, and was so close, there was no way that I could not see her while she was out west. Denver is a 12 hour drive from Missoula so we decided on a destination that would bring us half way, Jackson Hole, WY.

After driving all day Friday I finally met up w/ Karina & her friend Anne at the hotel. We spent Friday night sight seeing the town (it was both Anne & Karina's first time in Jackson) & making friends w/ some of the locals.
We found that most of the road through Teton National Park was closed on Saturday, but admission was free so we decided to go in as far as we could and just hike around a little bit.
Since Teton Park was closed we decided to stop at a range station in Jackson before heading up to Yellowstone. We were told there that both the parks close the first week in November (we just missed it!) but were asked if we wanted to earn our Junior Blue Goose Ranger Badges. I couldn't pass up this opportunity so we set off throughout the ranger station to answer the questions on the test. We passed!
Our next mission was to find a moose for Anne. We did her one better, after driving around for about an hour, we found two!
I was sad to say goodbye to Karina & Anne, but all good times must come to an end. Enjoy the rest of your trip Karina, I'll see you next time I'm back east!

Halloween!

Happy Halloween!
Love Mo Cuishle & post fire season Smokey the Bear

Holland Lake

After starting down the East Lake Connector Trail with Christopher the night before, I had my sights set on finishing it. So Kristin & I took off down the trail for our Thursday hike. This hike was a little over 6 miles total so I decided to leave Skyler at home to relax on the couch all day. The views were pretty spectacular.

Around the time we hit the last mile a small black and white creature caught the attention of our dogs and the went down a short bank to examine. SKUNK! After all of us being sprayed we took off for the lake to wash ourselves as best we could. The hour and a half car ride back to Missoula was not necessarily the ideal car ride home, but it was an adventure non the less. I've never been happier to leave my collie dog at home. At least she still smells nice. :-)