Happy Halloween!

Ladies and Gentlemen.....
Jack the Penguin and Bella the Flower!

Cooper

Greetings everyone. I hope this blog finds everyone well. It is, again, with a heavy heart that I let everyone know that we have lost another member of our family. Our family in Ohio lost their beloved dog Cooper today. He's been battling his illness for a while now and today it was time to send him back to God. We are so sad for Cliff, Susan, Samantha and Jake. Cooper was such a wonderful dog. I remember little things about Cooper that are making me smile as I write this and I hope they make our Buckeyes smile too. I remember his crazy nails slipping and sliding all over the wood floors in his house and the INSANE excitement he had when someone was at the door. It was a sight! Although, Cooper was not a big fan of other dogs. HAHA! No sir! He was going to protect his family from any other dog that might come close! I remember the story about Susan making either brownies or chocolate chip cookies (I can't recall!) and Cooper eating them all off the counter (that is how we all learned how much chocolate a dog could have!!!). I also remember that crazy obstacle course that he ran through to get out his dog door and into his yard. I was in aww the first time I saw him get there. It reminded me of that game Mouse Trap! Perhaps the garage is arranged differently now, but watching him run around to get to his door was hysterical. I know also in the last few weeks that Susan has been making him anything he wanted to eat and Cliff has been working outside on the house with Cooper at his feet supervising. Samantha and Jake have been playing outside and Cooper was out too - with the neighborhood kids. This is so wonderful! He was so happy! Such a good life for him. Cooper trusted and loved you all and it is perhaps that trust that makes these times that much more difficult. Just know that he is resting now with God.....and Otis. :)
It may seem silly to some but it is in times like these that I find myself somewhat reflective and definitely emotional. Perhaps it is because my pets are like members of my family and to imagine life without them is just something I cannot do. When you stop and think about it, there is so much that we can learn from our pets. Their love is so unconditional. They are loyal to their family. It's the little things with them - a smile, a rub on the head and your voice is all they need. They are so happy to just be with their "people." Maybe through all of this we can learn to take the time to slow down, appreciate the good things in life (like a brownie, a nice walk, or just time spent with our family). I know I will be.
I heard a quote recently and I loved it so I think I will close with that. Cooper we will miss you dearly but you will remain in our hearts and in the happiest memories we have of you.
"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole."

A whole lot of nothin'!

This group of picture is just that! We don't have a lot of big stuff going on right now so I try and get random pictures of the kiddos whenever I can. You can see in these pictures that Jack and Bella got a new picnic table for their birthday that they love to play with or on. :) Jack can also throw a ball. Big Boy! They are using their coupe car so much too. It's really great! I also want to point out the crazy picture of Bella is after bath time. Daddy likes to make her hair look crazy like Ace Ventura so that's what that is all about. Enjoy the pictures!
On a side note we would like to mention that our hearts are with our family in Ohio right now. Uncle Cliff, Aunt Susan and our cousins Samantha and Jake are spending some very special time with their beloved dog Cooper. We are thinking of you guys and love you so much!!!

Beep! Beep!

What is the one toy that all kids have to have? 2 words.....a coupe car! Jack and Bella got their coupe car from their cousins in Ohio, Samantha and Jake. Since arriving at the house it's been "the" toy to have. Friends come over and play with it. We push the twins around in it. The twins push each other around it in. It's constantly in use! It's also a given that wherever the coupe car is, there is also lots of laughter! It's been such a wonderful present for the kiddos. We love it so much! Thank you to our cousins in Ohio for making Jack and Bella's first birthday so much fun with the coupe! Bella likes to "Dukes of Hazzard" her way into it by climbing over the door, even if it's open! It's quite a sight. She's quite the climber though so it's not surprising that she chooses this way to get into the car. Jack likes to slowly climb in and sit for a while before taking off or even let one leg hang out while he rides. Sometimes when one climbs in the other will immediately follow. It's a party in the coupe! Most often Bella will climb in and Jack will get behind the car and push her around until they hit a wall. Then we have to help them. Well, enough of me telling you about the coupe...see it for yourself!!!