Our Family Has Grown

Welcome the newest member of the Zoo Crew...Cooper!

Scoping out the front yard.

 He's a Shi-chon...a mix between a Shih-Tzu and Bichon Frise.  What that really means is that he's a puffy, fluffy, super soft ball of fur.  He'll top out at around 12 pounds, making him the PERFECT lap doggie.

He was born on February 8th, 2013.

Since this mommy is terrible at picking things, his name was chosen from a selection submitted by my FaceBook friends (THANKS!) and then trial and error with the adorable beastie himself.  My favorite option was Wicket, after the Star Wars ewok, but he would have none of it!!  Even gave me a funny look like "what are you THINKING?" 

Considering retaliation with a Nerf gun already!

So Cooper it is!!  With Chaos for a middle name.  Seemed too risky to give him that for a first name!  (just asking for trouble, methinks!)

He is already learning to put his toys away in the bucket.

That, and, learning to avoid Dakota, who has yet to truly accept his co-residency in her domicile.  She allows him within a few feet of her now, so I suspect they will be fast friends before too much longer. (silly & optimistic of me, I'm sure)

If you think this puppy makes me very happy, you are correct!  With all the insanity and change around here, Mommy has been feeling a wee bit bereft.  Let's face it...what mom doesn't feel sad when she looks at her 12 year old beginning to sprout 'man feet'??  My babies aren't babies any more (See, Kids, I CAN admit it!!)

I had gotten to the point where I told my beloved and oh-so-forebearing hubby that I needed a baby or a puppy.  Shockingly, he chose the puppy. ;-)

Welcome 2013!

The New Year got off to a great start with a visit from our Uncle Dave & family.  The cousins had a chance to reconnect and hang out.  Matthew, Jacob & Ben overdosed on video gaming and Nerf wars.  Abbey & Laurel giggled themselves silly.  The grownups had a wonderful time traipsing around Ikea...and finding even more projects for Dave to do before he went home!

Aunt Carrie shared the tastiest recipe for Almond Butter Brownies.  We made them and were foolish enough to share with the children.  Next time: two gals, one pan, two forks.

New Year's Eve found us graced by Piggs.  More Nerf wars and general mayhem ensued...in the traditional fashion, of course!! Photographic evidence can be found here:




Any year that begins with Family & Friends is destined to be fabulous...we hope your 2013 is terrific!

It's true...Patrick is 15!!

Yes, I know you were wondering...

                         "HOW IS IT POSSIBLE?" 

Sunshine boy turned 15 in November.   I continue to be amazed at his progress and his capabilities.  His big gift was an iPhone...we had promised our boyo that he'd get a phone for texting when he turned 15.  Surprise, surprise, that day rolled around.  We were delighted to find that his dream phone fit within our budget.  Apologies in advance if you receive oddball texts (or repetitious "hi" texts) from him.  He has become a master with texts, iTunes and crazy apps....who knew that you could eat a virtual pizza?? Yes, there's an app for that.  As I type this, he's leaning over my shoulder and wants you to take a quick detour to the Apple Store. (Like they need my free publicity!!)


Long about then, we started really thinking it was time for a shave...Bill had been telling me we needed to wait because once you start, you can't really stop.  Can I just admit that, between the "man feet" Patrick gained over the summer and the blossoming beard, this Mom has been getting a bit freaked out?  (Thank you for indulging my moment of panic.)

BEFORE

For Christmas, he received an electric razor, guaranteed to return my baby faced, non-hairy kiddle to me.  We let him live with the razor, charge it and practice for a bit, but eventually, SHAVING DAY had to arrive.  






Check out the before & afters:

AFTER

Now, if only we could figure out what to do with the eyebrows....still a handsome guy, no matter how you slice it!   

(Click here for more birthday & shaving pics.)

Merry CHRISTmas!

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNGGG time, no post.  This Momma has finally crawled a wee bit of the way out of her black hole and feels like posting again.  Sorry for my silence...so much has been happening that there is no way I can catch you all up, so let's just jump in with where we are today...

It's been a typical Zoo Crew Christmas...just the 7 of us, but I could never--in good conscience--call it a "quiet" holiday.  The usual chaos that accompanies all beasties in the room at one time makes for a feisty, raucous gathering of goofiness.   No exception this year, with an abundance of Nerf weaponry, courtesy of Santa.  Lesson learned the hard way?  Mom's 6 shooter is no match for Matthew's 15 shot semi-automatic. 

Here's a glimpse at our goofy fun....watch the slideshow, or click here to watch at your own pace.  



Leave us a comment to let us know you stopped by.

Oh...and let us know what your favorite Christmas carol is! 

Ben just LOVES "Carol of the Bells"; Abbey's fave is "Go Tell it On the Mountain."  Matthew can't pick just one.  Patrick likes the bass on "Little Drummer Boy," which Mommy likes when done by Jars of Clay.  After searching our Christmas music collection, we channel surfed last night looking for a rendition of Bill's favorite, Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus."  What's your fave?

Drowning Worms with the Zoo Crew

We had sooooooooooooooooo much fun spending the last Saturday of Uncle Larry's visit chillin' at a local man-made lake drowning worms.  It was a beautiful day, not too hot outside, breezy and sunny.  First, of course, we had to feed the peeps.  Had a nice picnic, with made to order sandwiches, courtesy of Mrs. Ashley and Mommy.  And then, it was off to the lake...

Abbey fed a few geese--we will excuse her since the "Do not feed the geese!" signs were waaaaaay above her head!-- by chasing them down and pelting them with bread crusts.

Thanks to Mitchell & Uncle Larry, this Mommy never had to touch a worm. (YAY!...so NOT my thing!)  Hooks were baited, lines were cast and children were amazingly patient. 

Matthew came up with the first fish...YAY!  He caught a total of seven for the day.

Ben was the king of "I caught one!" that turned out to be a clump of grass or a rock or a soda can...  He DID catch a fish or two, but Mommy was off trying to score some more worms, so she missed it.  (And do you THINK anyone else could use the camera??  Of COURSE not!) 

Looking for the big fish near the bridge.

Abbey caught two.  Patrick's best catch was Katie. YUP--Katie!  She was sitting next to him as he fished, when he decided to recast his line.  He flicked it up with a hook full of lake bottom gook, which landed right on her lap.  Never saw a lethargic summertime teen move so quickly out of a chair!!  She hopped up, shrieked like a banshee--and might have wet her pants just a little.

Matthew spotted a "really big fish" that ate at least 2 of our bobbers, so he followed it over toward the bridge.  Turned out it was a turtle that REALLY liked ham. ;-)

What a fun day!  Thanks for clueing us in to this fun spot, Mitch & Ash!!  Check out more pics in the slideshow here: