It's been a very sad, very hard day over here today at the Alberda household. After four and a half short years together, our beloved Ike has left us. He went very suddenly, yesterday he was still the fun, energetic boy we knew so well, and this morning he had become almost immobile, and continued going downhill until early this afternoon when he lost conciousness and the vet decided there was no more he could do. It turns out that unbeknownst to us he had had cancer in his digestive tract, and it had probably been going on for quite awhile. So tonight I would like to pay tribute to the best dog in the world, "Ike-y Boy" Alberda.

Here are some of the things we will always remember about our sweet Ike:
1. His insatiable love of all things related to pizza.
2. The one-of-a-kind crazy dance of joy he would do for us when we came home, even if we'd only
been gone for an hour.
3. How we couldn't be sitting on the floor for one second without his big ol' head either nuzzling in under
our arm, or planted directly in our face waiting for a kiss and a scratch behind the ears.
4. How a simple "Good boy, Ike" could make his whole day.
5. His unending tolerance with a two-year old who was convinced he was a pony.
6. The bargain him and Dana made that whatever food Dana didn't want to eat he would very
generously take off her hands (literally!).
7. How he would sneak onto the couch whenever we weren't looking, and then try to sneak back
off when we were.
8. How when we didn't trim his hair often enough his feet would look like they had "Grinch-toes".
9. The championship-worthy doggie paddle he would practice in the Alberda pond, which would last for hours if
we would let him.
10. Those big, brown eyes that connected straight to his soul.
11. How hard it is already not having him here.

Thanks Ike, for the years of unquestioning love and unhindered loyalty that you gave us. Your huge heart will forever be a part of our history. We love you Buddy, and will miss you always.

I'd like to give a shoutout on behalf of Eliza to my Aunt Emily for giving her the cutest baby gift ever. They're called Babylegs, and I think it's because those baby legs are completely irresistable once you put them on. Poor Eliza was subjected to alot of thigh pinching and grabbing all day long today. Get used to it Eliza! That Mommy of ours is a hugging, kissing, squeezing machine.....

Apparantly after my sister takes her bath at night she turns into a duck. I had no idea she was so talented! Maybe she can do me a favor and turn me into an ostrich so I can reach those Christmas candies that are placed so conveniently just out of my reach.

On Thanksgiving Day my Daddy the lumberjack went out and cut us down a Christmas tree, and on Friday my Mommy and I decorated it all nice and pretty. My favorite part was the candy canes, which don't taste quite as good through the plastic as they do with the the plastic off. The picture taken at the bottom was actually taken after we had to decorate the tree for the second time, because it fell down the first time and all the oranaments came off. Now that I think of it, maybe Eliza should move off to the side a little bit, she's kind of in the danger zone...

Here are some snapshots of a typical day on my trip to Florida. I would go swimming in the kiddie pool, eat my lunch by the Tiki Bar, hang out some more in the sun, and then take a nice, long nap while Nana watched me and my sister so my Mommy could relax and enjoy the nice weather as well. Everything went great, even the 24 hour car ride down there! (My Mommy was very glad that portable DVD players had been invented.) We're home safe and sound now, and back to the old grind. My Mommy actually has to go back to work tomorrow for the first time in three months! Good luck Mommy, Eliza and I will be waiting for you when you get home!

My baby sister had alot of fun too! She went into the big, scary ocean that I was smart enough to stay away from, she lounged by the pool in our rental stroller, and she even got to sleep in the bathtub. (My Mommy decided this was the best place for her after she rolled onto the tile floor one night.) All in all, a wonderful vacation. Thanks Nana and Papa for a great time, your love and patience are immeasurable! :)

We had such a good time trick-or-treating in my Aunt Cyndy's neighborhood last night. Everyone was so nice and kept giving me candy! I should hang out around there more often....

Eliza didn't get much, but I think that's because she was dressed as a deer, and with it being deer season and all I think she felt safer just hiding out in her stroller for most of the night. Us giraffes don't have to worry about such things.

Socks, check. Bows for my hair, check. All my stuffed animals and Eliza's too, check...

And we're off! Me, my baby sister, my Mommy, and my Nana and Papa are leaving for Florida today! Everyone pray for safe driving, that I develop a very long attention span, and that Eliza doesn't get sick of her carseat.

See you all in 10 days! I should have a savage tan by then....