August 22 - Part 1 - Breakfast With Uncle Howie

This morning we went out to breakfast with Uncle Howie.  Cooper took his place on the bench next to me as he always does.  He's such a good boy about restaurants.  He lays down without really being told to.  He moves in and makes room for me as I slide in next to him.  He lays down with his chin either on his paws or on my leg and he stays that way until we leave.  He always knows he'll get a tid-bit from our meal when we get outside.  

August 21 - Part 3 - Walkin' to Walk

What fun!  Cooper got to try a tread mill for the first time today.  I'm SO glad I remembered to get video of this.  So often I forget to record things that Cooper does...  

Not this time!

85 Miles

August 21 - Part 2 - Entertaining Uncle Pete

We decided to go visit Uncle Pete in his home.  Uncle Pete is quadriplegic and his bed is an air bed, so Cooper really can't get on the bed with him.  Usually we play with Cooper and get him to do goofy things to entertain Uncle Pete.  He misses his own dogs.  Where he lives now he really can't have a dog, so he really enjoys the day or two per year he gets to see Cooper. 

I think Cooper remembered visiting him last year.  He seemed to know right where to go once we got to the apartment building.  He went right to the door to the building.  Amazing...

August 21 - Part 1 - Uncle Howie And The Dragon

What a great day!  Cooper had a full day of VERY different things to do.  Lots of firsts for Cooper!  I'll have to tell the stories about this day over a few blog posts.  There is too much to tell in just one.

This is Uncle Howie with a baby Bearded Dragon.  I can't remember what the dragon's name is, but Cooper couldn't pronounce it anyways.

Here is the dragon in my hand.  He was so cute!  He didn't seem to want to run away at all.  He was very calm.  He wasn't afraid of me or Cooper at all.

Cooper let Uncle Howie put the dragon really close to him without becoming jumpy or afraid at all.  I was surprised because Cooper usually shies away from new things like this until I show him it won't hurt him.  

Maybe my boy is growing up!

August 20 - Dogs do THIS!!!

I woke up not feeling well today.  It had finally caught up with me.  I hadn't felt well for a few days but this day I didn't want to do anything.  We were due to move on to the next visit today but we decided to stay and take another day to feel better rested.

Our day was spent mostly outside watching Braeden and Jesse play with Cooper.  They had so much fun and NEVER got tired of playing.  

Today made me remember when I was little. I always wanted to play with the dog when we visited family.  This is a reminder as to why.  Adults sit around and talk, but dogs do THIS....

Zero Miles

August 19 - To Pounce, or Not To Pounce...

From all the times we have slept on an air mattress during this trip, Cooper has learned that no matter how fun it is to jump on the mattress as it's being blown up, it's not usually a smart move.  So he has learned to wait for the OK to pounce on it and play the way he enjoys so much.  

We arrived at Jessica's today in time for dinner and play time with Braeden and Jesse before the air mattress came out.  Cooper was happy to see it.  

This meant BED TIME!!! 

Lil' Jesse couldn't wait

A favorite time for Cooper no matter where we are.

Waiting for 'the word'

77 Miles

August 18 - Part 4 - Can't Play With The Big Boys :(

Part 4

After a short ride, we arrived at friend's house.  We have a camper to stay in when we go here.  

With Jesse's bike trouble, they were all ready to diagnose and fix the trouble.  Cooper wanted in on this game.  I had to keep telling him to stay out of the way.  Finally I put him on leash and took out my camera.  

Boys will be boys.  Unfortunately, this game was for the big boys.

So Cooper and I watched the 

                          Beautiful Sun Set!

 

11 Miles

August 18 - Part 3 - Cook out!

Part 3

We had a cook out and played with the kids for the day.  I wish we had more time to spend with them but our time for this trip is running short.  Play time was so much fun.  There were a lot of kids chasing Cooper around, so he was done playing and ready to go when we had to leave.  

Big hugs and an invitation to come visit us soon and we were on our way again.

August 18 - Part 2 - Cooper Learned to go UNDER THE WATER!!!

Part 2

Crystal has pools she inflates and fills for the kids.  The big one was too big for Cooper to get into.  Crystal also has a small one for babies that was just right for Cooper. Jesse found a shell for him to play with.  He played and pawed with it for a little bit, then, like he saw Hans do in Montana, he put his face under the water and got the shell out of the water.  

I was so surprised and proud of him for this.  What a HUGE step for him from when he started exploring in a pool.  AWESOME!

August 18 - Part 1 - Quiet Mornings Lovin' His Sister

Part 1

Crystal loves her morning coffee as much as I do.  We sat outside with her, her neighbor, me, Jesse and Cooper.  As the kids woke up they made their way outside to play with any of their friends that were up too.  

Cooper made his way from one lap to another since I wouldn't allow him to wander the neighborhood.  Hanging with people who are willing to love him is almost as good as walking around peeing on everything.

August 17 - Finally... NY!!!

We finally made it to NY to visit family.  It was late but dinner was waiting for us in the oven.  YUMMY spaghetti and meat balls.  (My italian side thanks you Crystal).  

Crystal and the kids were excited to see us.  When we pulled in, Crystal hugged Jesse then came straight over to Cooper saying, "My Brother!"  It's so funny to have them talk about him as if he is a blood relative.  One of the kids actually asked me if that would make him their uncle.  I laughed, "Yes I guess it would".  

Bed was a very welcomed air mattress that Cooper showed his approval for in his usual manner.  It was very comfortable.

338 Miles

August 16 - Part 2 - Meeting my #1 Blog Fan!!!

We got to our destination where we got to meet Christina, my #1 Blog Fan.  She comments the most and seems to read just about every one of my posts with her sons.  

She is an inspiration to me and her words are ALWAYS full of enthusiasm and encouragement.  AND she is just silly enough to make me smile every time we talk or email each other.  

These pictures were taken by her or her kids.

Crossing guard Cooper

Getting lunch from a Buffet at the grocery story

One of the few pics of me and Cooper

The Happy Travelers  

238 Miles

August 16 - Part 1 - Here Dad, I'll help

Heading to Ohio for lunch to meet our #1 Blog Fan today.  

Before we left, Jesse had to fasten his fender.  Cooper saw the work being done and offered his help as he usually does.  He likes to help or at least supervise.  I don't know how Jesse ever got anything done before we got Cooper.

August 15 - A little rain never hurt, and it makes for BEAUTIFUL sunsets

When we got ready to go in the morning, Cooper got to meet Sandy.  She was a slow moving love of a dog.

We dressed for a chilly day of riding, and it actually rained today too.  We didn't wear rain gear today because the rain wasn't really that bad.  A sweat shirt was enough to keep the rain off and break the wind.

Everywhere we stopped today, Cooper got attention.  His picture was taken, he was petted and kissed.  What a popular boy.

By the end of our day, the rain had stopped, the skies were beautiful and we were ready to stop. 

308  Miles

August 14 - Part 3 - Blowing Rock

We found a place in Blowing Rock recommended by a woman who took this picture of Cooper.

We stayed the night.  The room was beautiful but out of our budget.  Cooper enjoyed it. 

This is his typical ritual of acceptance, 

and before long he is out cold.

126 Miles

August 14 - Part 2 - Blue Ridge Parkway

The riding was BEAUTIFUL today along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The weather was comfortably chilly today. The scenery was beautiful with plenty of smells to capture Cooper's interest.  There were lots of places to stop and look at the scenery.