Training Troop Trial and Week 2 picture

my week 2 picture theme was Innocence.... I kinda cheated because this was taken Sunday instead of Saturday but I am ok with that :)

To me there is nothing more innocent then a kid playing with her dog. I love to watch Lexi run, she has fun and just loves the game. She could care less about world team, missing that contact, or if she should front or rear cross... she just wants to run. This weekend she received the judges choice award from Sarah for advance handler. Her comments were that everyone should take a little piece of Lexi home this weekend and end each run with their hands up in the air cheering like she does. I love my kid, she pretty much always makes me proud, but she also makes me want to be the handler she is.

the weekend...

Lexi, Lisa and I headed up to Calgary for the January Training Troop Trial. I love trialling in Calgary, I love seeing everyone and I enjoy indoor agility (no birds for my naughty springer to chase)


Lexi and Blossom had their first full trial weekend. They started their weekend with a starters gamble q, leaving Lexi needing just one more to get her games title. Then they ran the rest of the weekend running with Lexi under regular handler rules instead of JR rules. They got a Q!!!!! We figured out Blossom's issue that as long as I am not in the area they are awesome together! So they earned an advance Standard Q. Their other advance standard course had 5 faults as Blossom back jumped the second last obstacle, I was so impressed, Blossom runs great with Lexi and weaves beautifully for her, they are going to make a great team!!!

Ava and Lexi also ran this weekend in the JR handler category. They had some great runs with just a blip here and there. But they got their last needed Advance Standard Q to get Lexi her Advance Junior Handler title!!!! My plan was to retire Ava, but she was doing her runs almost 20seconds under time and still having fun running and Lexi is very excited to try out Masters, so I guess Ava will play a little longer :) I don't think she is quite ready to retire yet anyways!

Then there is my Storm... She is just turning into a great partner :) We made our weekend with a jumpers Q to get her Starter Game Title (I thought we would be in starter jumpers FOREVER) and this was her first trial in Advance Standard and she got 2 Q's!!!! one more and we are off to masters, that is a little scary!!! And she also got a advance snooker q! I am having so much fun with her!.

but no more trialling for a bit, Lexi has dance season coming up and it is going to get busy around here. So I guess we get in more practice :)

Photo Challenge- week one

So I have decided to do a once a week photo challenge for the year, James bought me a new lens for Christmas and my birthday so this way I will play with them and hopefully be a pro at using them before Hawaii in July.

Week 1- week ending Jan 4- resolution/goals

Storm... 

she is my goal for this year. With just having one dog to work and run, I want to see her go as far as we can. She is such a great little dog. I love her to pieces. I have yet to have a dog get their ATCH, I want her to be the first, and if she keeps up her hard work and drive it won't be an issue!

Reflections of 2013

here it is 2014....


2013 was as always a year full of ups and downs.

Then end of March brought Miss Clover into our lives. There were moments when I had no idea what we got ourselves into with this border collie puppy, but she is the love of Lexi's life and has brought so much joy to our lives.

The spring was Lexi's first venture into competitive dance. Her first competition season was awesome with many medals and fabulous performances. I look forward to watching her solo this year!

Summer started out very hard losing James's grandma. Most days it still doesn't feel real for her to be gone, but I know she was ready to go and is in peace and no longer in pain.

August brought our amazing road trip to California. So many memories.

Fall was sad and happy, I sent my baby to kindergarten which was tough for me, I still find my days lonely without Bella home. Lexi turned 7 and Bella turned 5, I don't know where time has gone.

Then end of November we made the tough choice to put our two cats down. It was hard to say goodbye, it makes me realize Ava's aging which has been hard for me to face.

December of course was busy busy busy :)

2013 for Bella showed such growth in her. She has been with her hearing aides for almost a year. The change in her speech and understanding has been incredible. She loves school and is doing amazing with her printing and understanding letters and their sounds. I think she will be reading very soon.
She still enjoys dance and started piano lessons this year as well.

Lexi... oh my Lexi :) She finished grade 1 with amazing marks, and is overachieving in grade 2. James and I couldn't be more proud of her and she just loves school! She is doing well with cello and will be playing 2 pieces in festival in 2014. Dance is still her love and she has a solo for the 2014 competition season. And then there is agility.. I couldn't more proud. She is such a great handler and has such confidence and understanding of the sport. I enjoy all the compliments I get on my girl <3 And her and Clover are working hard!

For us this year has been great. James and I are just enjoying life. He loves his job, my business has had the busiest year yet and I love being home and able to do whatever the girls need of me. Agility has been great this year and I look forward to trialling more with Storm and seeing what that girl can do!




2014 will be 15 years of James and I being together and 10 years of marriage. I look forward to our Hawaiian vacation in July and exploring more of the world with our beautiful girls. Life is good and I am thankful for every moment.