Christmas & Dakota

We were able to enjoy a nice family Christmas this year. In some ways it was great to just have the four of us and I have to admit in other ways, I missed being with my extended family. The kids enjoyed all their gifts but were especially excited about their new PSP's. They are still excited about Dakota except when he's chewing on their things!

Dakota is doing pretty good. He has at least 5 chew toys plus rawhide sticks, but he still seems to prefer chewing on my rug, the furniture, electrical cords, stuffed animals or anything else within mouth range! He's getting the idea of going potty on his puppy pads. For the most part he's going to the right area...now if we could just work on aiming! If it ever stops raining or being down right frigid, then we will progress to potty OUTSIDE!! yeah! I look forward to that!





Dakota chewing one of his presents!

Kids Big Surprise

Well, we broke down and got the kids a puppy for Christmas. They have talked about having a puppy even while we still had Bandit. We still miss Bandit but we are happy to have enough love for a new puppy too. We picked him up on Tuesday on our way home from KC. He did great in the car. I'm happy to announce he didn't get car sick!

After long debates about a name, I think we have decided on Dakota. That means friend and we may call him Koda for short.

He did ok that first night. He whined off and on all night which we expected. What we didn't expect was for him to poop in his kennel. Apparently Dakota didn't get the memo that dogs don't potty in their sleeping quarters!

Now the hard work begins. It's amazing what all he has tried to chew on and bless his heart...this potty thing just ain't happening yet. He goes outside, sniffs and piddles around, then comes inside to potty. We are trying those puppy pee-pee pads to see if that helps. Pray for ME!!

Well, enjoy the pictures! I'll try and keep you posted on how he's doing.

Christmas in KC

This past weekend we went to Kansas City to visit Allen's family and celebrate our Christmas with them. We had a great time seeing everyone and were able to see Alysa's choir program, see one of Dustin's basketball games and woke up Tuesday morning to snow! Thanks so much Keith & Mindy for letting us stay with you and for hosting our celebrations.

On the way home Tuesday we stopped and picked up the kids BIG SURPRISE! More on that in the next post. Because of the weather we stayed one night in Rolla then come home Wednesday.

Now we are looking forward to a nice, quiet family Christmas!

Celebrations

Well, as hard as it is to believe, we have celebrated another Thanksgiving and Christmas is literally days away. We had a nice family Thanksgiving in between basketball games on Wednesday and Saturday. This weekend we are headed to Missouri for yet another basketball game and to celebrate Christmas with Allen's family in KC. It will have to be a quick trip but we are thankful for the opportunity to see everyone.

It's hard not to be sentimental or nostalgic around this time. We are so blessed in so many ways. At times it seems overwhelming. I'm so grateful to God and all that He has done for my family and in my life.

Nathan & Nicole continue to amaze me as they are growing up. They keep things lively and busy but they are such joys. I can't wait to give them their "Big Surprise" next week!! (More on that later!)