At 9:15 AM on Sunday, February 01, 2009, we lost our beloved yellow lab, Dave.  The previous day, he became very sick due to a large tumor in his abdomen, and quickly went downhill with no hope of recovery.  The dog who always wanted to retrieve one more ball finally had to let someone else take over.  He spent his last weekend lying quietly, surrounded by the family that adored him.  We all gathered at the lake house to be with him and to say goodbye.  Thankfully, his passing was very quick and he went peacefully, lying outside, on a beautiful day, facing the lake that he loved so much. 

Most everyone who ever met Dave agreed that he was the best dog they had ever known.  In every way that counts, he was the perfect companion.  He would run, swim and fetch until our arms got sore and we couldn’t throw any more.  When he wasn’t retrieving balls and sticks, he would just jump into the lake, dive down to the bottom, bring up a few rocks and leave them in the yard for us to find.  Indoors, he was perfect as well.  When it was time to sit on the couch and rest, you could always count on Dave to be curled up quietly nearby.  He always had the perfect temperament that complemented every feeling and every moment. 

In January, 2004, we had to say goodbye to our dog Corky.  We buried her along a fence near the house at the lake.  Now, five years later, we buried Dave right next to his old buddy, Corky.  He too will forever be a part of the place that he loved so much.  Though he always played well with the other dogs (and even our evil cat Molotov), he now rests in his favorite place with his own tennis ball that no-one else can steal.  We will forever miss the amazing dog that, for the last thirteen years, filled our carpets with yellow fur, our yard with lake rocks and our hearts with unrelenting love.

The biggest excitement for me was beginning to work on the decor for the baby’s room.  We’ve decided on a sort of seaside/ocean theme for the room.  And, I decided that I want to make most of the decorations - rather than buy them in a store.  Alice, Ben’s mom, is being absolutely wonderful (and patient) by guiding me through all of this sewing business.  She’s the sewing Guru Genious of the family.  I’m really putting my “Walmart Special” sewing machine through the ringer!  But it’s hanging in there so far!  {Ben bought if for me for my birthday about four years ago – when we were still dating.  Just a side note, when his dad found out, he made the comment, “Oh, a sewing machine.  It must be serious!” }  I’ll post pictures of the baby’s room as the decorations come along. 

Anywho, enjoy the current pics.  If you click on the first one to enlarge, it should show a caption/title.  You can scroll back and forth between pictures by clicking on either the left or right sides of the photos.