Bella - Welcome to our family

Bella joined our family just before Christmas. She is a beautiful boxer puppy. She is almost 6 months old now. She has been so much fun. We all love her although the boys are not very good about taking her out and she doesn't voluntarily go out because she hates the snow. She does not like the cold so it has been a little trying. She is slowly getting used to it and will play some while outside. She is such a loving dog. She loves to sit on your lap and cuddle. It is fine now but probably not when she gets bigger. She follows me around the house most of the time and lays at my feet when I sit at the couch. Alyssa is learning to stand up for herself with Bella as they are the same height right now. She has been knocked down a few times but has learned to put her hand out and on Bellas nose to redirect her and not knock Alyssa down.

Bella is a smart dog. She knows how to sit and lay upon command. We are working on "stay" right now. When we go for walks she knows that when we get to an intersection we stop and she will sit next to us until we say go then she will stand and start to walk again. She walks very well on a leash.

We love Bella and are glad she is with us.

The Boys' Christmas Program

The boys participated in their school Christmas program the beginning of December. They did a wonderful job. I think this year was the best program the school has done. Tyler played the part of Santa Clause and Benjamin was a reindeer. Tyler has multiple speaking parts and never missed a beat. I honestly do not know how he does it as he never wanted to practice the lines at home. Benjamin did nothave any speaking parts but he knew the songs and sang them well. We were very proud of the boys.

Tyler's Birthday

Tyler turned 9 years old on December 7, 2008. It is hard to believe that he can be that old already. We are so grateful for him and that he is a part of our family. I remember the day we blessed him as an infant. We were all gathered at my parents home in Grand Junction Colorado; we have family and friends there to celebrate our little one. Tyler was blessed at that time and told that he would be a great and loving example to his brothers and sisters. We have seen the fruits of that blessing. He has always been wonderful with his brothers and sister. From the time Benjamin was born Tyler was always close by asking to help and hold him. We have so many pictures of Tyler with one of his siblings sitting on his lap. He loves them so much. He has such a soft and loving heart. His old first and second grade teacher said she would love to keep him in her class forever. He has been found back in that classroom during his recess helping the younger children with reading or math or other asignments that they might be working on at the time. We love Tyler for his loving spirit and brilliant mind.