Goodnight

Crystal and I each put Cole to bed about 50% of the time. We don't always alternate, but it ends up working out that way. We both have slightly different bedtime rituals, and somehow mine has evolved into singing Amazing Grace with Cole, normally at his request. Tonight, I decided to catch it on video because, well, it's so darn cute.

Please excuse the poor video quality. We did this by Cole's Harry Potter night light.

P.S. Bummer. I just watched the blog version of this video, and you can't really see anything at all. When you watch the original video you can actually see Cole singing along. At least you can listen.

And the piano, it sounds like a carnival...

Cole really enjoys playing the piano and I thought I should get this on video in case he turns out to be a world renowned concert pianist someday. Of course, that would make him pretty busy along with being a star quarterback (or kicker, because it's less dangerous) for the Cleveland Browns (winning them their first Superbowl since... well, ever), a master celebrity chef with a show on the Food Network, and the President of the United States.

Just Toolin' Around

Cole recently got a toolbox full of tools. He loves playing with it. The other night, Philip was taking apart our dining room table, to make room for our new one, and Cole wanted to help out. Here's how it went...

Good bye, old friend.

There's no doubt that we haven't posted anything to the blog as of late. Neither Crystal nor I have been very good at updating lately. This entry won't be long.

This weekend we lost our dog, Allie. Crystal and I got her two months into our marriage; she's been with us the whole time. On Friday, Allie started showing signs of being very sick and she deteriorated quickly. The vet told us she had an auto-immune disease and that her body was attacking itself. There was no realistic way to save her. We had to say good bye to her on Saturday afternoon.

As funny as it sounds, she was part of our family. We'll miss her, and I know that there are others who will too. She was the greatest dog I've ever known. I don't know anyone who didn't like having her around. Before she came into our lives, I did not like dogs at all. For the last 7 years I've said that she turned me into a dog lover. She certainly made me love her.

We'll miss you, Allie. It won't be the same without you around. You were the best dog. I'm thankful for the 7 years we had with you. I know that we will never forget you. All you ever wanted was to make Crystal and me happy. You succeeded.

September

The biggest change you'll notice in the above picture is Cole's new haircut. We went ahead and buzzed it. It was not easy to keep a screaming one year old still to do it but we did.We think it looks pretty cute, but we're biased.

We went camping over Labor Day as usual. In the above picture Cole is actually hooked up to Allie's rope. He didn't like it at all. It only lasted for about a minute. It was difficult trying to keep him in one place while camping. Here he is playing a game with Daddy.

We played a big group game of kickball and Cole was so excited to try and play with the big kids. He liked running around in the field.

Here's another picture of Cole at the zoo. He really likes the fish. I think it's all the bright colors.


Here he is with Daddy trying to touch a shark.


We went camping at the end of September with Brian and Rebecca and Harrison. These two were quite a handful. Here they are playing with our bike trailer. Definitely two boys to keep your eye on.


Cole passed some time while camping playing with the van tires. What can I say? He's a boy.

August

In August Cole and I went to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for a week with Papa, Grandma, Uncle Trey, Riley, Uncle Clint and Aunt Kristy. We had a fun time but we missed Daddy. Cole even liked going to all the shows at Dollywood. He also rode all the way to a look out point on a ski lift with Mommy and Papa. Mommy was a little scared but he liked it.

We took a scenic mountain motor tour through the smokies one evening. Here's Cole walking out of an old homestead we stopped to see.

The Indiana State Fair was in August and Cole went two times. Here he is the first time, checking out the sheep.

Here he is making a break for it.

The second time he went, Nana and Papa and Kaitlyn were with us. He really like this calf. It licked his whole arm.

The biggest accomplishment of the month of August for me was that Cole stopped drooling constantly. His outfits are so much cuter when there isn't a bib covering them up!

July

We spent the 4th of July at Brian and Rebecca's house. The boys were dressed almost identically with plaid pants/shorts and red shirts. Very cute. We went and watched some rainy and cold fireworks. Cole couldn't take his eyes off of them but he wouldn't let go of my hand either.


We have a membership to the Indianapolis Zoo so we're frequent visitors. Here are Cole and Philip on the bridge in the forest section. This summer Cole wanted to be on his feet a lot more than in the stroller.

One Saturday Cole and I went to the Indianapolis Art Museum and then went outside and ran around on the grounds. He really enjoyed being able to go as far as he wanted.


The month of July wouldn't have been complete without a visit to the Elkhart County 4H Fair. Cole and I went up and checked out all the animals and the food along with Grandma and Riley. It was a fun time.


Here he is getting ready to pet a horse. He wasn't afraid of anything.