Here are some token pictures of me and Eliza in our Easter best. We had such a nice day, even with the foot of snow on the ground and Eliza being pretty sick. Maybe next year we can go to church without having to wear our winter coats and hats! We did get to go to my Nana and Papa's house and go on an Easter egg hunt, which me and my cousin Roxy came out like a couple of bandits in. Granted, we got to go first, and had a room all to ourselves, but I think that regardless we could have given those big kids a run for their money. I'm really quick, and Roxy's really low to the ground. Put us together and we'd be unstoppable!

My Mommy has figured out that the best way to get my attention when she has something important to talk to me about is to let me help her bake in the kitchen. So, this weekend I learned all about how Jesus came down from heaven and died on the cross because he loves me so much. I also learned that every time I'm naughty, I should tell Jesus that I'm sorry, and because of how much he loves me he'll forget about it right away! This was a very good lesson for me to learn, but if you ask me, my Mommy should have been baking this cake with Eliza. She may look sweet and innocent, but that little sister of mine has a definite mischevious side!

What's this? A boy? We don't see too many boys around these parts. But my Mommy took care of her friend Miss Becki's little boy, Vaughn, for the day on Friday, and so I got to see what having a little brother would be like. He's a pretty cool kid. He came all decked out in camo and a "Sir Poops Alot" shirt, and also a pipe. Anyone with a pipe that is willing to share it, and doesn't cry too loud when I decide it's time to share it, is welcome to hang out over here anytime.

Uh oh, Cruella... your days may be numbered.

No, this is not a picture of a Mommy and Baby puppy. These are two pictures of Dixie, taken five weeks ago, and today. This makes my own Mommy very nervous, especially when Dixie's dog trainer tells her that Dixie is going to be a big Wirehair, and also a bouncy one. I knew we should have gone with my gut instinct and named her "Clifford".

It was a big, huge, momentous day over here at my house yesterday. My Mommy decided it was high-time I learned to go to sleep without my pipe, and so she and I stuck them in a pretty bag and put them high up on my dresser where I couldn't reach them. I was not too excited about letting them stay there until she told me that if I did it, she would take me to the store and let me pick out any toy I wanted. Well, I did it!!! And I decided that the only "toy" worth my effort was a brand new friend, and so we came home with the newest addition to the Alberda menagerie, "Cruella" Alberda the Betta fish. She's really pretty, and I love it that she has to follow me around wherever I tell her to go (or wherever I tell Mommy to put her!). I really wanted her to come in the bathtub with me, but Mommy said that probably wasn't the best idea, so she and I bonded from afar. My tub isn't nearly as pretty as her bowl though, and my next goal is to get Mommy to fill it with pretty rocks and a plastic tree all my own. :)

Happy 7 Month, Eliza!!! My baby sister turns 7 months old today, and here are some of her most recent snapshots. I still like her okay, but she's starting to be naughty and take my toys away from me, and then getting mad if I do the same thing to her. I'm hoping by the time she turns 8 months old she'll learn some manners, and realize that everything is mine until I either say it is hers, or it is broken.

I learned a very valuable lesson this week: Sometimes my Mommy does know what she's talking about. She dragged me to this "Crazy Bounce" place with some of my cousins last weekend, and upon first glance I decided that it was simply not for me. Who can blame me when upon entering you are faced with a 20 foot tall shark's mouth on one side of you, and a tiger's mouth on the other? Needless to say, I was terrified, and begged my Mommy to take me back home. But she made me stick it out, and when I crept past the ferocious predators I discovered a whole world of fun things geared just for younger people like me. Who would have thought? Thanks Mommy, for not listening to me this time. Don't start making a habit of it though.

So I've started doing this really hilarious thing where everytime I eat something of a gelatinous or creamy texture I smear it all over my face and pretend I'm Santa Claus. For some reason my Mommy doesn't think it's nearly as comical as I do. Whatever, Scrooge-Mommy, I'm funny!!!

Take note, everyone! Not only does Dixie not have Eliza's ears/hands/nose in her mouth, but Eliza's eyes are dry, and there are no tears in sight! Granted, one second after this was taken Dixie stepped on Eliza's tummy and snatched the ball away from her, but this was nice while it lasted. My Mommy's not so sure about this puppy thing anymore, but I figure that whatever it takes to divert any negative attention away from me and my shenanigans must be a good thing!

While my baby cousin Nola is busy army crawling all over creation and wreaking havoc on her Mommy's floors, Eliza has just finally learned to sit up on her own. We're right on schedule over here, and expect her to be mobile by about the age of three.

Apparantly there has been some confusion over who can lay claim to the bouncy seat. At the end of the day though it looks like Dixie has made the best play for it, so I guess we'll forego our rights. It's either that or suffocate.

Here are some more pictures of me and my Dixie. We have so much fun together!!! My Mommy's not sure if it's a good thing that we have each other to play with or not. On the one hand we play all day, Dixie makes me laugh alot, and we tire each other out, which my Mommy loves. But on the other hand she thinks it's a hassle because we tend to fight quite often. (Like any sisters do!) Usually this happens when I take Dixie's toys and put them out of her reach, and then she tries to climb up me to get them.
Regardless, me and Dixie are bonded pretty tight already, and I know we've got alot of good years ahead of us. I've already got her trained to steal Eliza's toys, thereby distracting Mommy long enough for me to sneak us both some extra goldfish crackers, our favorite!

Check out my new cool seat! I can put my monkey climbing skills to good use, and watch Cinderella a good three feet closer then the couch allows. Dixie's not quite sure what to think when I'm up here, but she really likes it when my fruit treats fall through the cracks.

Supposedly I'm not supposed to get up anymore after my Mommy and Daddy put me to bed for the night. Usually I come and visit them in the living room to let them know I'm still awake. They've been getting pretty tired of this, and told me I need to stay in bed. I figure the inside of my bedroom door on the floor is close enough to being in bed, don't you agree? (And yes, that is a pipe in my mouth. My Mommy asks that you please not judge her.)

Well, they've done it again! That Mommy and Daddy of mine have brought home yet another baby! Meet Dixie. She's my German Wirehaired Pointer puppy, and my new best friend for life. We have alot of things in common already, like enjoying waking up Mommy and Daddy in the middle of the night, running around like maniacs until we drop, and getting into everything we're not supposed to. As you can see from the last two pictures, she also likes to ignore authority figures, and bug the youngest member of our family, which I find myself doing quite a bit as well. Dixie, we have some good times ahead of us, you and me are going to make a great team!