Making Friends - Dog Version

My Bologna made a new friend in Marley. 

There was some serious horseplay between those two but both dogs seemed to be loving it.

Mississippi Morning (8:45am)

Dexy and Gunker got down with the sports equipment early, busting out the basketball and putter before I finished my first cup of coffee!

Gunker got a hole-in-one from the swing - down the sidewalk, bounce off garage, into the hole!

Going to the Dogs

Despite being perfectly capable of using the door handle, Dexter learned a lesson from the dogs and used the doggie door to get into and out of the house.

Mississippi Morning (8:30am)

When Ben woke up, he joined Grandma on the swing while the dogs (My Bologna, Drake, and the neighbor's dog, Marley) jockeyed for pets.

Mississippi Morning (8:00am)

I woke up our first morning in Mississippi to find Dexter down at the lake with Gunker, pulling logs and weeds. Dexy loved being Gunker's helper!

Even climbing back up all those stairs was no problem for Dexy. It's been a long time since I descended so many stairs without dreading the climb back up.

Then, it was time to take a load off and swing with Grandma, taking in the scenery. What a view!

There was a gaggle of geese on the dam (now that Gunker and Dexter had gone back up to the house)! It was a perfect way for Dexter to start his Mississippi vacation.

Dexter, MO

In years past, Ben and I commented on the roadsigns in Missouri for the town of Dexter.  However, it wasn't until this year, when I pulled out of Boomland and kept right on going on 57 rather than turn onto 55 that we actually came across Dexter, Mo. 

Our Dexter was very excited, of course, to see his name on huge signs.  At one point, I pulled over to the side of the highway and told Ben and Dexter to jump out, run over to the sign, and get a picture.  They did good. 

Too bad the unexpected excursion cost us an additional hour in the car but at least we finally got to see "Dexter, MO".

Our Favorite Rest Stop

I think I have changed Dexy's diapers at every rest stop between Chicago and Memphis but I have to say that the last rest stop in Illinois on Southbound I57 is my favorite.  As luck would have it, Dexter announced he needed to go potty right before we hit it. Dexter is now old enough to enjoy the awesome little playground and use the potty (although he freaks out when the toilets flush..."too loud").

Ben and I like remembering the first year we stopped here. Dexter, still learning to walk and wearing his footie pajamas, started picking up speed as he toddled down a little hill. We ran after him worried that his little feet wouldn't be able to keep up but he made it to the bottom in record speed and still right-side-up.

Considering the fact that Ben had to go up into the "fort" to escort Dexter down, it's pretty clear that this is also Dexy's favorite rest stop.

The Backseaters

Settling in for the nine hour drive to visit Grandma and Gunker!  

Everyone was getting excited!

Vacation Prep

Our little grease monkey really enjoyed helping wash the car's windows at the start of our long drive to Mississippi.