Good-bye, Sweet Friend...

After 12 years as a very special member of the family, Auntie Karen & Aunt Dan's amazing little Sheltie, Bailey, left us today. Everyone loved her dearly and misses her so.
When we went to their house, I always pointed to the door and said, "Bay-yee!" To me it was her house even though Aunt Dan, Auntie Karen, Star, and Colter all lived there. She was the dog that had the least interest in me, but she was my favorite. She seemed to like me better as I got a little bigger (click the "Bailey" label to see other posts/pictures of her).

"A good dog never dies [she] always stays. [She] walks besides you on crisp autumn days when frost is on the fields and winter's drawing near, [her] head is within our hand in [her] old way." - Mary Carolyn Davies

It's Potty Time!

Mom wants to make sure we have some stuff on here to embarrass me when I'm older (I'm sure there's already plenty), so she said I should tell everyone about my desire to be potty trained.
I have spent the last few days doing my best to tell someone when it's time to use the potty. I don't like being wet anymore, and I especially don't like being stinky.
Daddy & Mom probably shouldn't get too excited just yet. I was really good at telling them when I had to do big business (#2, Jobbo, poopie...whatever you want to call it) for about one week in July, then I decided to ignore the potty for a while.
I am still quite interested in it right now, but we'll see how long that lasts...

We're Going on an Oxtrot

Since the Babes will be (possibly) trotting out of town when the Oxtrot event ends after Labor Day, we decided to take a drive around the area to get as many pictures as we could. We ended up finding 11 of them. I'm not going to post them all today, but keep watching.

Here I am at the start of the trip.

...and here I am less than 5 minutes later. We skipped the first one we saw since I was sleeping. We drive by that one enough, so we'll be getting that one very soon.

When they got to the next one, Mom decided to take some pictures even though I was still sleeping...so here's the Buggy with Daddy & me in it (right behind that window shade)! This one is called Ox in Sox.

See the one sock in the back view?!

So we now have 14 photographed. We'll be doing 4 more (if we haven't already) that are very close together shortly. That leaves us 6 to go. It might be tough to hit a couple of them, but we'll do our best! Maybe we'll have to take Daddy to "lunch" at an ice cream place this week. Hee hee...

If Today Is Your Birthday

...you must be my Grandma Mary!

Hope you have a wonderful day...

Giddyap, Kiana!

My old pal, Kiana, came to stay with us for a few days again. I told her how much I love ponies. She wouldn't give me a ride, but she seem didn't mind being a chair. Shadow is never this cooperative. She usually leaves if I try to sit on her.

Kiana was pretty relaxed as a chair!

She went home Sunday afternoon, but we went over to play with her for a little longer. Talk about good times.

Playing ball...

^^^

Come here, Ki!

^^^

Kiana waits so patiently.

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Hiding out for a minute...

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Racing and laughing!

^^^

Time to kick the slobbery ball...

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Drive! Drive! Drive!

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Last fetch.

^^^

Daniel & Auntie Jenny Went Home

We ended the weekend with a nice brunch and then a trip to the beach. Daniel and I both really enjoyed swimming this time. When he comes up again, we have to go back there. It would have been great to have some pictures to share, but no one brought a camera.
I had such a fun weekend playing inside & out, blowing bubbles, taking wagon rides, eating ice cream, swimming, boating, and all the other stuff that I am now in serious need of a 3-hour nap. I think I'll sleep in for the next few days too.

A Wagon Ride With Bailey

It's true - EVERYONE loves this wagon. Daniel and I got many rides before and after dinner. Auntie Karen was pulling me in the wagon, and then she checked to see if Bailey wanted a ride too. Bailey seemed to like it. It made me pretty happy too.

Daddy Made Ice Cream!?!

Daddy grilled up some brats and dogs for dinner and invited Aunt Dan & Auntie Karen. Bailey, Star, and Colter came along to play with us too. When I heard it was time for "cream!" I came running!

So did Daniel. I guess we do all scream for ice cream!

Daniel looks like he likes ice cream as much as I do. This was my first time with Daddy's ice cream, and it was the best! Mom & I decided he should make it every week.

Mom asked Daniel if my daddy made good ice cream. He gave his big smile, pointed right at the camera, and said, "Good job, Uncle Jeff!"

(and there's Bailey, waiting to see if she can get a taste!)

Another Visit From Daniel

Daniel came to stay with me for another fun weekend. This time he only brought his mommy with him. Saturday was beautiful, so we spent it on the lake. We went early, so there weren't as many other boats.
At first neither one of us really wanted to be in the water much. We walked toward the point, and Mom kept putting me in the water, so finally I decided to try walking by myself.

It turned out to be pretty fun! I walked most of the way back to the boat myself. When a wave caught me...I thought it was so cool, I was looking for another one to throw me off balance!

Daniel didn't like to walk at all. He was pretty happy hanging out on his mommy's back.

We ate lunch in the boat. I got to do some driving...that's much more fun than eating. Someone should tell Daniel that Daddy's sandwiches taste much better if you take them out of the bag!

Someone else wanted a turn in my seat. He looks like he's done this before. I'm trying to be patient while I wait for my spot back.

Still waiting...

I love being in the boat!

Off we go for a little boat ride. GO, GO, GO, Daddy!

Did I mention it was a beautiful day?

Kennel Up!

I don't remember even what month this was, but one day when we went to Auntie Karen & Aunt Dan's house, I climbed into the kennel with Star. So began my kennel obsession. It's very fun to lock myself inside them -- alone or with a friend.


Yes, I'm swimming in Star's water dish. I probably tried licking the water off my hand afterwards. I'm like that.
Off I go...thanks to Auntie Karen for the pictures, and to Star for sharing her kennel!

Another Ox -- Number 3

This ox is titled Van Go-Gogh Does the Oxtrot. Daddy and I had fun posing with this one. I also noticed the slide nearby, so we may be here a long time!

The quote, from Vincent Van Gogh, says "For my part, I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream."

This is the backside with a portrait of Vincent plus more art inspired by his works. We might have to stop at this one again to get better pictures of all the great detail.

More OxTrotting (Number 2)

Here we are at Babe the Bluegill Ox. See the eye of the "hook" sticking out of his mouth? For the Governor's Fishing Opener, the ox was hanging from that hook. It looked pretty cool.
This might just be Mom's favorite so far. Daddy's favorite it looks like a piggy (oxey?) bank -- complete with the MN quarter sticking out of it's back! We'll have to get a picture of that one this week.

Artisan Fair

Daddy took us on a drive to go OxTrotting, and maybe to the dam park, but then he realized it was Artisan Fair day. We took a quick detour to visit my some people and check out this year's talent.
Just think, last year I sat in a stroller by this sign! Now look at me!

Here's Grandma Mary doing her soap making demonstration for a nice group.


Every year, Great-Gommie is in this little cabin. In the early 1900s, you could rent it for about $10 a week. A boat comes with it, but it cost an extra $2 for a motor. Gas was 10-cents a gallon.

You can tell by the amount of dirt on my legs it was a great day! Some of that dirt was from kicking rocks, but most of it came from dancing with the musicians.

More Fun With Long Hair

Sometimes having all this hair is a pain...too much washing and combing and styling. Plus, Mom seems to like my hair pulled up neatly when we go out, instead of all crazy like Daddy does it.

If she catches me on the right day, I not only like to have my hair neat, but I also will sit still for fifteen minutes so she can do something fun.

Today, I let her put in three little pony tails. They were relatively straight, so she was happy with them too. I like how they move when I shake my head.Mom's hoping they stay put well enough that I can wear them tomorrow too. Yeah... good luck with that, lady.

Who You Callin' Puddin' Head?

Mom didn't tell me I had to eat it or wear it, but I thought I'd coat my face in my lunch again.

Chocolate pudding or finger paints?
Peek-boo!
What was that, Mom? Don't rub my hands on my hair? Nice try, but I'm doing it anyhow.
Mom cleaned off what she could, but I still went to her office smelling like a Tootsie Roll.