AARON CAME HOME AND A TRIP TO COLUMBIA, SC

We were thrilled that Aaron came home to travel to Columbia, SC to visit his Grandma Cooper's new Retirement Home. The place is gorgeous in a southern plantation called Still Hopes. I am trying to download a video clip for your viewing. On Sunday the Raleigh kids came over for a walk around the lake and a cookout. It was wonderful having all of the kids at home again!

Amelia, Zeke and Zoe' are growing up

Poppie and Bubby spent the morning on Saturday shopping for Amelia's overnight visit. We bought a bubble machine for the outdoors (even though it was too cold yesterday to try it out), a fishing puzzle for colored fish, a sous chef hat, apron, and lots of kid sized pots, pans, and cooking utensils, and a new suitcase full of Mr. Potato Head, Mrs. Carrot, and Mr. Pop Corn figures. We enjoyed playing with the new stuff.

Amelia helped clean up from the cookie making that Bubby did....since cookies are one of Amelia's favorite foods! She also told Zeke, Zoe, and Poppie to stay out of the kitchen until we had finished.

Then we went to Lone Star Steakhouse. We took some of our new toys to play with while we were enjoying dinner and watching basketball games.

In the morning, the puppies woke up Amelia and then we met Daddy Jason and Mommy Meredith at Courtney's for a delicious breakfast. But, first Amelia and Poppie enjoyed giving Zeke and Zoe' some puppy treats as they performed what they had learned on Saturday morning at the Leesville Rd. Puppy Obedience School. They have a LOT to learn! Zoe' might need some remediation!

Later Bubby and Poppie went shopping and found a new toy for the puppies. We saw Amelia and her family there too!

Even though Amelia has grown alot the past month, the puppies are more active and "hyper" than she remembered. She wasn't too sure she like them hopping up and down. However, she loved kissing the puppies and getting kissed back.

We loved the fact that Amelia has learned to say "BUBBY and POPPIE"....of course with a lot of prompting! She melts our hearts!

SATURDAY SPA VISIT AT WESTLAKE RESERVE

Zoe' and Zeke went to 'The Spa" reluctantly this morning as the "SPA Massuse and Maseur " prepared their warm 1st bath. Zeke liked the event much better than Zoe'. Neither really likes the gentle, warm hair dryer and brushing. Here are some photos of the event. I think next time the Westlake Vet and Groomer might get this task as it was rather stressful for Bubby and Poppie. Too many "puppy tears". The vet said yesterday that it will not be too long before we need to begin brushing their teeth on a regular basis. I am glad that Maury is retired and home alot.....he will need the time to do all of the puppy grooming and care.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

Today the puppies are 9 weeks old. We went to Pet Smart and bought them each a winter "puffy fur trimmed coat" and some puppy treats. They loved walking in front of our town home in their warm fur coats.

Later on Jason, Meredith, and Amelia dropped by to see the puppies and to get their Valentines' Day presents a few days early. Amelia got lots of 24 month sized knit tops, jeans, and jackets with lots of pink for the special day. Mommy Meredith and Daddy Jason got a card with something they can use later. Amelia has gotten so big that she has out grown most everything! She also liked the miniature Valentines Day snow globe with a Valentines heart inside! She knew exactly what to do do with it....shake, shake, shake it!

Amelia loved playing with the puppies again today. Here are some photos of our time together. Look who is "pooped" out after a busy Sunday afternoon!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUBBY! FEBRUARY 4TH

Jason and Amelia came over for a Sunday birthday breakfast and to bring Bubby a big bag of birthday goodies while Mommy Meredith was getting a break with a few hours of painting . What a great gift bag full of puppy treats, toys, a "bone-shaped" picture frame, dog cookies plus more. Zeke and Zoe' loved the presents too, especially the pink and blue chew bones with the ribbons attached. We had great pancakes, bacon, juice, coffee...and of course Amelia's favorite "Oreo Cookies"!

Greatgrandma Irene and Poppie gave Bubby funny cards and several checks for shopping. It will not be long until Bubby will go out on a shopping trip to buy some new spring clothes. Aaron and Caren called with a fantastic announcement....they are buying a brand new condo in New York...actually in Brooklyn. It is much closer to Manhattan. Bubby said...."It was the best birthday ever".

THE FIRST SNOW

We all stayed home today. Judy and Maury both worked from home. Zeke and Zoe' were delighted as they were "free" from their "all day" crate stay. They spent the day cuddled in our arms and playing together.

The snow was a new experience for them. They were not crazy about going out in the snow to "do their business". But, of course, I do not blame them much.....IT WAS COLD!!!!

1st DAY AT HOME

Today was a big day for the Simon Family. Zeke and Zoe' came to live at Norman Ridge Lane in Raleigh. We were not sure when we left the Patterson's home is Cary if they were going to like the ride to their new home in North Raleigh. Zeke tried out his vocal cords most of the ride while Zoe' slept in her car carrier.

They had their first walks on their new leashes, first dinner in their new dishes, played with their new toys, had treats when they "did their business" outside, and scooped out the downstairs of our town home. As you can imagine, we spent the afternoon yesterday at PetSmart preparing for their arrival. We needed two of everything. It was like preparing for twins!

They had a little trouble standing up on the hardwood floors today as they were use to walking on carpet. It did not take them long to figure out where their food and water dishes are located in the laundry room.

In the late afternoon, Jason, Meredith, and Amelia came over. Amelia immediately loved both Zeke and Zoe'. She gave them both lots of huggs, kisses, and loved petting them. It was amazing how gentile she was with the new puppies. She did get a bit jealous when Mommy Meredith had both puppies in her lap and insisted that she get to sit on "HER" mom's lap. We all enjoyed our Italian Dinner that Bubby prepared. We believe that spagetti with meat sauce is one of Amelia's favorites...Besides COOKIES, of course!

Amelia learned to say "shushhhhhhhhhhh" with her little finger over her lips as she did not want to awaken the puppies while they were sleeping in their new crate. How CUTE! She is a loving little one! Jason and Meredith have done a FABULOUS job thus far with little Amelia!

We hope that the rest of the family will love Zeke and Zoe'. They have been really good thus far.

NEW FAMILY MEMBERS

Meet Zeke and Zoe'. They are the newest members of the Simon family. They are six week old YoChons. They are brother and sister and are a Yorkie and Bichon mix. They will come home to live with us the first week of February. We cannot wait until Amelia and the rest of the family meets them. We think they will all be great friends!

SATURDAY WITH POPPIE AND BUBBY

We just returned from a wonderful Sunday morning brunch feast at our favorite Brigs Restaurant where we met Daddy Jason and Mommy Meredith to return Amelia after a fun visit at the Raleigh Grandparents.

What fun we had yesterday visiting the horse farm on Leesville Road right down the street from Bubby's and Poppie's house. When we returned from our tricycle ride, we took a car ride to Lake Lynn. We saw swans, ducks, Canadian geese, mallard ducks, and even a few turtles. Amelia loved the entire afternoon while her Daddy and Mommy were shoppoing and out to dinner. Poppie and Amelia read lots of books and played with "Tickle Me Elmo" while Bubby was cooking a delicious dinner. We played for a while and then off to bed. She was so good about going right to sleep and slept until 7:00 a.m.

We loved our afternoon and evening with Amelia. We cannot wait for another overnight visit!

LOTS OF FAMILY AT THE HOLIDAYS

Spending some holiday time with the West Coast Simons....It was great to stay with Mike and Cindy Simon. One day we took Irene to the Claremont Hotel for lunch and met Vicki, her family, and Valerie at breakfast. Hopefully there will be many more visits. We all had a HAPPY HANNUKAH!

MORE CHRISTMAS PHOTOS

We had a special HAPPY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION for Caren, Aaron's girlfriend, at the Christmas day lunch (even though her birthday is the day after Christmas). We also wish Grandma Simon a happy 91st birthday as well!