Lappies are happy to be headed back home to the cold.

Big day for Villi and Hullu at the Portland dog show. Villi got his confirmation championship in style by winning Best in Breed. He also got his title in Rally Excellence. Hullu got his title in Rally Novice.

They removed the blinds surrounding the ring to add some more distractions, but Villi got another Q in Rally Excellence. Now a nap before confirmation and Hullu’s rally.

First show of 2026. No points in confirmation, but Hullu got his first qualifying leg in Rally Novice and Villi got his first in Rally Excellent. We also had a nice hike in Forest Park afterward.

First day working in 2026. Running the chair for a tv commercial production. Can’t believe they’re not letting me star.

The squirrels are out and we’re stuck in here.

A new puppy has joined the gang, meet Nuoska 👋🏻 🐾

Futile attempts to exhaust us.

The snow is not deep, but it is still very fun.

The temperature is perfect, but the human says we have to wait until the Sun comes up and ruins everything and warms things up before we go walking.

Do all Finnish Lapphunds prefer sitting on sofa backrests?

Snow noses.

Some attempts at skijoring.

We heard rumors that there was a ski track set at Lily Lake. There was not, but we had a good time anyway.

Mud Day!

Rain to start these first seven hours of 2026. 45% of normal snow pack…nearly the worst on record. Not how Hullu wanted to experience his first winter. 8759 hours left of 2026 for this year to pull things together.

Leaping for joy (and snowballs) on this last morning walk of 2025.

It is amazing what the Utah Nordic Alliance groomers can do with a few inches of snow. With 50 degree days and rain in the forecast, their hard work won’t last long, but it is appreciated. The dogs got out at the house for some fun too.

Humans had their first xcounty ski (and if the weather reports prove accurate, potentially last) of the season. We got some snow time this afternoon as well.

Villi and Hullu supervising the installation of a new truck battery. Per usual, they are big help.

Our super accurate snow measuring system is saying 8.5 inches of snow thus far.

What is this madness? Only need several more feet to get to normal snowpack, but snow is back.

47 and windy. No snow on the ground. Time for for new traditions now that our traditional Christmas Day ski is impossible.

Now the anxious wait for the prime rib to get to temp begins.

Pulla is done. Next is prime rib, green beans and mashed potatoes.

Thankful for many things, but these guys are on top of the list.

For the 4.5 billionth consecutive time, the Sun making a post winter solstice comeback.

Rain…in December…Snow God, why have your forsaken us? We apologize for our super lame 2034 Olympic logo.

50 degrees (a mere 20 degrees above normal) and lightly raining this December 19th and the squirrels are running amok.

There may not be snow, but it’s still our favorite morning walk.

More Ranger paw in face lessons. She really is an expert.

A cat’s life.

A cat’s life.

Enjoying the last of the snow on this 60 degree December day. Winter just isn’t in cards for us this year.

I chased a deer for several hours. I did not catch him. Human is angry. Not sure if it’s because I don’t listen or because I failed to bring home dinner.

Already 50 degrees at 9am. Forecast for foreseeable future is the same. Warmest and driest winter that I remember in my many decades here.

Sunday snow romping.

Hullu found a rat today. We’re all very proud of him. Then we all went and gave Santa our Xmas wish list.

The squirrel standoff continues. Dogs are at school today, but Ranger and Lumi are holding watch.

Dogs vs squirrel.

Sunrise.

Watched Lumi bird hunt then went for a little walk. A successful day.

At last proper Lapphund weather.

Good day for barn hunt practice

Nothing better than crunch sound of fresh snow under foot.

Not deep. But it’s white and it’s sticking to the ground.

Human said they were out of coffee so we are driving somewhere that has caffeine and possibly a bagel for our morning walk.

We read that it has been driest November on record at Alta ski resort. Still no snow here either, but fun looking clouds.

We were promised turkey at the top of the hill.

Morning walks.