Sasser-Frasser

11/19/95-4/9/09

Your story with our family started 10 1/2 years ago.

You were a gift to my husband-to-be. We had talked about getting a dog, and so I searched. I found you at the Humane Society in Muscatine. (Grammy was along, to see Daddy's reaction!) Three barks in my direction was all it took. You were ours.

I'm not getting down off this futon. Sit somewhere else.

Daddy was not quite thrilled the first time he saw you, sitting in my parents' living room. Here's how it went:

Daddy: What is that?
Mommy: It's a dog!
Daddy: I know it's a dog. Whose dog is it?
Mommy: It's your dog!
Daddy: ... No, it's not.

But you worked him over well. And since then, you have been the other woman in his life, and I have been fine with that.

You were such a loyal, SMART, sassy, funny, pushy, caring, stubborn dog, with a unique personality. And you were OURS--you made our family.

People always fell in love with you. If you wanted attention, you would walk up and flick an empty hand. If you wanted water or food, you would flip your food bowl until someone finally responded. If we started running a bath or even mentioned the word, you would hide. You would knock over the garbage can, and Tucker usually got the blame. You would drool for grapefruit. Only perform tricks for a treat.

Chase the cat. Let Tucker take your bed away in the middle of the night. Unmake Isabelle's bed during the day and lay in it. You knew if we were going on vacation or leaving the house without you. You loved to go on car rides, and stick your head all the way out the window.

Sweet Sassy.

Not a name I would have chosen, but a dog that I wouldn't have traded for the world.

Rest in peace, sweet girl. You've got a lot of love to spread around up there, and a lot of hands waiting to pet you.

Sibling Love

I could label about 1,000 posts with the words "Sibling Rivalry." So, I thought I would post a couple photos of Sibling Love! Please note that these photos were on two separate occasions!

In the photo above, the kids had earned popsicles because they worked together to pick up! Then Will offered to read to Gabi! AAAWWW....

Granted, this photo was taken at a birthday party (for Grandpa Valet) at Pizza Ranch, and they are probably euphoric on twist ice cream and dessert pizza. But the photo was captured nonetheless.

These two have come a long way in their relationship, and I think it will only get better. This fall will be a hard test when Gabi is off to kindergarten. We just might capture more moments like this one! :)

Foolin' around

Last year, it was the sushi made of Fruit Roll-Ups, Rice Krispie bars and candy. This year, it was fish sticks and cupcakes. But which was dessert and which was the meal?

April Fool's!

Mom found a recipe for a fun April Fool's meal at FamilyFun.com. It consisted of:

Meatloaf cupcakes (with dyed mashed potato "frosting") ...


... "fish sticks" made of wafer cookies, peanut butter and corn flakes, along with "peas and carrots" made of Runts lime candy and orange Tootsie Rolls (cut up) ...


... "mashed potatoes" made of vanilla ice cream and "gravy" made of butterscotch topping ...


... and "juice" (actually, Jell-O).



Here's how we made it ... and the kids' reaction.





We started April Fool's Day early by switching the kids around while they slept, putting them in each other's rooms. It would've worked had Gabi not woken up. ("Mom, I want MY bed!")

You're never safe if you live at our house.