New creative love

I recived a new camera for christmas. LOVE IT. I have been taking photos alot these days. I was playing photo shot with the girls today. I think I need a differetn backdrop this one is to light and drapy.

Needless to say Im looking for some new subjects my pets and kids are just about done playing photo shoot with mommy : ) If you would like some updated pics let me know.

They are alive

Well the mid winter thaw has shown us the pond. As you can see the fish are all still up right and swimming. Swimming slowly but moving. We did get something to keep a hole in the ice to let the bad gases escape the water. As you can see from this photo there is a thin layer of ice over the pond still.

Dog toys

Trying to keep our puppy busy is a task in its self. Last week I went to the pet store and man you can spend a months paycheck on toys for doggies. So, my creative side stepped in....

I took a few clean empty plastic containers and drilled one hole in it the size of the dog food or treat. then place in your desired item, screw on time and you are all set.

The dog will roll and flip it trying to get the treat out. Not only does copper love it but our older dogs do as well.

Note: Now you must use you noggin and watch the toy if it gets to eaten up or nasty do your dog a favor and toss it.

Copper

Here is our newest addition to our pack. Cooper is a terrier mix and is about 15 weeks old. He has been with us for about 3 weeks now. He is doing great here. Has falling right it to the daily life here. He loves to go and pick the kids up from school. He has done fabulous house training. We are using a crate with him we have not with our other dogs but they were all older when we adopted them. Still seems funny to me to put him in a crate. He is just such a cutie.

Regan trying to get a look at the new ID tag Cooper is sporting. Sheriden picked it out and help punch in the text for it. Cooper is great with the kids.

Cooper figuring out how to navigate the stairs.

Chewing on a rawhide with his new buddy Riley

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Cooper come to us from a local rescue group. He was taken from an Ohio Shelter where he and the rest of his litter mates were adopted out. His litter was found at a gas station and taken to the shelter. He was adopted by a young couple that had not had a dog before. Needless to say he pee and pooed on their floor (how woudl he not he is just a baby) so they brought him back. This shelter to my understanding has a strict policy that if a animal is brought back it must be put down. He was saved by this rescue group. Cooper is such a sweet pup, if you are looking for an animal of any kind I encourage you to rescue one they make the best pets.

David's Birthday

We took David out to dinner for his birthday, we hit up Uno's.
It was a lot of fun David even got a song and we all had a yummy dessert.

Teacher gifts

as promised... here is a photo of the teacher gifts I gave this year. Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix, and a pair of my handmade sweater mittens. This gift will keep them warm and toasty all winter.

Note: this would be a great gift for Valentines day as well.

what one does not belong

For this week we have 5 dogs, 3 kids, 1 husband, no wounder I tired at the end of the day!!!
Let's play a little game...what one does not belong
As most of you know Jake the trouble black dog is ours (upper left photo). We now have a new dog and we are dog sitting so what one looks like it belongs in this house.

Lisa Leonard Designs Giveaway

This would make a great mom's day gift... Check out her site
I love her new heartstings necklace.

Lisa is generously giving away not one, but TWO $50 gift certificates to her site. Two lucky winners at random on Friday, January 8.
To enter the giveaway: Visit walk slowly and live wildly to Enter!!!

very best

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called "opportunity" the first chapter is New Year's Day. Wishing you the very best this year, The Southworth's