Merry Christmas

The sled dogs and I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Kim made a slideshow card so scroll down.

Happy Sled Dogs

I think I heard Walla and Lucy singing "It's the most wonderful time of the year." The sled dogs are very happy because it is finally cold enough to run the sled. The last few weeks have been in the 40s which is too warm for sled dogs and way too warm for me to be pulling anything. Saturday it went from 28 degrees to below zero in just a few hours so we were off and running. Bryan hooked us up and sent Kim down the trail on the sled. Yes, Kim! I know kind of scary but she did okay not wrecks or anything. Bryan is still recovering from a nasty cold so he was the handler this weekend. Sunday it was at least 10 below zero when Kim took Walla, Lucy, and me for a long skijore. Stratus is on light duty because he was sick a few week ago. If you ask me the boys in our house are wimps. Of course you will notice there are no pictures because Bryan was in charge of the camera. I think Kim needs to teach him how to use it.

Willow is MAD!

Today we took Lucy and Stratus and hike up Red Lodge Mountain. One of the best thing about pre-season is that the dogs get to go with us to mountain. Willow and Walla stayed home and neither is very happy about it. This was Stratus's first ski trip. He seems to have difficultly controlling his speed and direction. He ran into me twice.

Indian Summer

You can always tell when Kim is super busy at school because she doesn't take time to post for me. Since the big snow the weather has gotten really nice again. Bryan was able to stain the Red Lodge fence last week. It must have been a big project because he was covered in stain. Yesterday, Lucy and Bryan and I climbed Red Lodge Mountain. Bryan was trying out his new ski boots and his old ankle. I guess the ankle did okay, he was only limping a little at the end. Kim, Walla, and Stratus all stayed home. Stratus has been sick. He had pneumonia, which could have been really serious. Dr. Mark thinks we caught it early enough but he is still suppose to take it easy for a couple more weeks.

Running dogs in Town

Almost Snowed In

This is a picture of Kim's van and the car, which we had to leave in Red Lodge.
Bryan worked on digging out for a couple hours. A nice neighbor came by with his plow and cleared a path. But we were still stuck so he pulled the truck out. At one point we thought Kim was going to have to get a sub. When we finally got to Billings, we didn't have any electricity. It seemed like we were camping because Bryan lit the Coleman lantern and Kim put candles all over.

Big Snow

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4 Feet High and Rising

How high's the snow, Mama? She said it four feet high and rising. It actually snowed some much in Red Lodge that we couldn't get out of town to go run the sled.

This picture was taken early Saturday and that was just the beginning.

Busy, Busy Fall

As you can tell from my lack of post, Kim has been super busy and super sick. Starting on her 40th b-day and for about two weeks she was very sick. She seems to be better now but is still playing caught up. A week ago we went camping for the first time this season. It was a good trip. Fall has come to Red Lodge but we are still getting in some fall hikes on the tundra. As you can see the leaves are all changing colors. The sled dogs are getting excited for winter. I on the other hand am not a sled dog.

Kim is the Big Four Zero

So I can't believe Kim is 40. I don't think she looks a day over 39. Her friends at work (notice the color everyone is wearing) made a BIG to-do about it, with a cake, pizza, and they even decorated her classroom. Rudy (the janitor) was really excited about vacuuming up 40 confetti but he help rearrange all the desk. Her students had a lot of fun. Can you believe she is ten times older than her students?

Bryan, the sled dogs, and I were going to take her to Bozeman for the weekend but she caught a cold for her birthday. Guess that is what happens when you get so old. None of us wanted to hang out with her. Actually I think we will take her when she is feel better. I think a break from the "sled dogs" is probably the best gift we could give her.

Roses!

On August 29, Bryan and Kim celebrated their 16th Anniversary. Bryan surprised Kim by sending her these beautiful peach roses at work. She was very surprised.
Bryan and Kim didn't get to go to Jackson Hole for Labor Day Weekend. It has been a tradition but Bryan ended up working and with school starting Kim was too busy.

We all hung out in Red Lodge. The sled dogs and I thought it was better than being stuck in the camper in a campground.

This weekend the weather was cold and snowy. Saturday we all went hiking on top of the pass in the snow. The sled dogs and I really enjoyed the cool weather.

School Starts This Week

You can tell that Kim has been really busy getting ready for a new school year because she hasn't had time to help me blog. This is always a busy and stressful time of year. The sled dogs and I have had to spend a lot of time in the dog yard. Last week, Stratus and Lucy took on a major excavating project. Bryan add the springler and we had mud wrestling. This week Bry also started working with Stratus on running with the bike. They had a rough start.

The next day, Kim and I had to go with them so I could show the puppy how it is done. He is getting better.

We continue to enjoy our tundra walks. Kim and Bryan have been trying to get a family picture but it hasn't happended yet. Here is a couple attempts.

Kim is Trying to Grow Things

We have a small raspberry bush in our RL yard. Our neighbor, Jon, planted it. Stratus has decided he needs to claim the bush (if you know what I mean). The lower leaves are turning yellow. The berries are starting to ripen but Lucy and Walla are eating them before Kim can pick them. She also has some tomatoes planted in the front flower bed. Just yesterday I heard Kim telling Bryan what she thought about him standing on her tomatoes when he was turning the water on. She didn't seem all that happy about it. I think he said he didn't know what a tomato plant looked like. I am not sure that was the right answer.

Frisbee 101

Still in Red Lodge

We are still hanging out in Red Lodge. Bryan has been working on projects. I am really amazed. Yesterday he built a new dog house for the sled dogs. I personality don't use a dog house but the sled dogs like to lay on top of them. Bryan got a plan from Sled Dog Central so he could build a dog house with one sheet of plywood. I noticed that there are some cracks but it is just a dog house. The sled dogs seem to like it.

We are still cross-training the sled dogs, too. I am in charge of teaching them to catch the Frisbee. It is a real challenge. Walla has no interest at all, she is a hunter, not a Frisbee dog. Lucy seems to be kind of scared of the Frisbee but will run after it. Stratus likes to chase the Frisbee. He still can't caught it in the air, like I can, but he runs out to get it every time. He seems to have the heart of a Frisbee dog, I am just not sure he is smart enough. I haven't given up yet.

Change in Plans

Bryan and Kim had planned to go on a camping vacation this week. We were going to go explore areas to ski in the winter. They change their plans after the community meeting about the Cascade Fire on Tuesday morning. The fire is close to Red Lodge so we are staying here and Bryan is watering. We did get our new fence so last night we (the sled dogs and I) ran around our yard. It is so nice not to have to go in that stinky kennel. The smoke is bad here in town so we have been going up on the Beartooth Pass to play. I am trying to teach the sled dogs how to play Frisbee. Stratus is the most interested but he has no talent. He just wants to play keep-away. He is young so there might be hope.

Fire!

We don't know much about the fire. There is a town meeting today. It is the talk of the town. As we all know it is just a matter of time when you live near the forest before it burns. There was a huge wind storm in November so there is thousands of down trees which is going to give it plenty of down dry fuel. I linked the title to the City of Red Lodge site which seems to be updating when information is available.

The Red Lodge House has Gone to the Dogs!

Since Kim took most of the summer off, we have been living in Red Lodge. The sled dogs and I have taken over the house. We are not allowed on the leather furniture in Billings, but Kim has given up on the old furniture in RL. She even move the "tiger" chair in from the other room. Lucy and Stratus fight over who gets what chair. Stratus likes to share with Lucy but I don't think she likes that. When she growls at him, he just kisses her. I think Princess Lucy is his favorite.

The other thing that we like about being in RL is Kim takes us for long tundra walks almost everyday. The wild flowers are blooming and it is really green.

Kim is Home

Kim is finally home. She went to see my friend, Silla, and her family for the 4th of July. I guess it was really hot there so they spent a lot of time in the backyard pool. Grace and Chase like to swim and so does Silla. She is a water dog. (Scroll down to see more pictures).

While Kim was gone we had lots of rules. Bryan is all about the rules. We did get to go walking on the tundra, but on Sunday Bryan took Stratus on a hike all by himself. We did not think that was fair, so what if the puppy needs to be socialized.

Tundra Walking

We have been spending a lot of time on the Beartooth Pass lately. There is still snow so Kim and Bryan have been snowshoeing. The sled dogs and I have been having a great time. When Kim takes us we just run around being wild.
But when Bryan goes we play ball. Notice who has her eye on the ball.
There are more pictures if you scroll down to the slideshows. You will notice we had to rescue the puppy off the ice.

Bry Home for Father's Day

Bryan was in Salt Lake City most of last week. He was able to catch an early fight and got home around 2pm on Sunday, Father's Day. The "sled dogs" acted like he was gone for months. Actually, we were all happy to have him home. I just wish he wouldn't take my side of the bed. I think he should sleep on the floor.

Note: If you look carefully you can see Walla in the dog house.If you scroll down you will see a slideshow with all our thoughts.

Kim's New Look

So when Kim left today she looked like this.

But when she came home she looked like this.

I was worried Stratus would be scaried. But he was okay. I wonder what the deal was and I am thinking Bryan might have a thing or two to say. Kim told me that there is the group, "Locks of Love", takes hair and makes wigs for people who are being treated for cancer. Pretty cool!

Since I am going through the big summer shed, I volunteered to donate, too. Kim assured me I didn't qualify. My hair isn't long enough.

He Talks!!!

The Weekend

I am a Frisbee dog!

Welcome

I (Willow) told Kim that she need to come into the 21st century and at least have a blog. As you can see she got a little carried away at slide.com with the stickers. I am going to try to keep you all up on the latest Busch Family Adventure.



As you know we have all been hanging out with Bryan while he recovers from his broken ankle. It really hasn't been much fun. We used to go do things.



Oh, did I mention that they brought home a puppy, Stratus. He is suppose to be almost two but he acts like a puppy! You would not believe how BAD he is. Just this weekend he peed in Kim's purse. Bryan thought that was really funny. Kim could of been more impressed. I am hoping she gets mad and send him back.



This weekend we tried to go on the Beartooth Pass but there was too much rain and snow. (At least I didn't have to pull that stupid sled. Did I mention I am not a sled dog.)



More later