Just a little fun out in the snow. The kids and puppies thoroughly enjoy running around in the back yard. Yeah, I wish it was about 40 degrees warmer, but the puppies seem to like chasing the kids around in the snow.  It's too cold to let them out for extended periods of time, but when they are out their exploring and enjoying the freedom.  Today my nieces Maryn and Birkley came to join in the fun.  I'm guessing right now the puppies are sound asleep.  They were a little worn out after running the length of the yard many, many, many times!  A week from today they will start going home. Kind of hard to imagine that time is here already.  The puppies will be missed, but I can honestly say it's getting to be that time.  Every time I go out back multiple puppies have jumped over their box, and pretty well tore into anything they can get their paws on. Just recently it was the garbage can knocked over!

 I'm a little late on posting these pictures, but on Tuesday we had decent enough weather to let the pups run outside for a while. It's fun to see how they are starting to explore.  A day later, we have sub zero temperatures and snow everywhere. I guess that is what I get for living in Iowa.  As you can see the melting snow provided for plenty of mud for the puppies to play in.   I spent a majority of last summer pouring cement and working in my backyard and unfortunately winter came a little too soon last fall. I didn't finish my side walk, and obviously didn't get the back yard seeded!  The mud didn't seem to bother the puppies at all.

 Here are a few more pics of the puppies from last week.  On Thursday we were able to let them run outside for and play in the mud while I cleaned out their shed.   It wasn't overly warm, so we tried to keep it short and sweet, but they are starting to spread their wings a little and explore. Unfortunately there hasn't been too many days yet where we can let them run around for extended periods of time. I guess that is what the house is for.  I think all 10 of them peed on the floor when we let them inside so it's safe to say the potty training will be up to you!  

 As I look back at the previous posts, I wonder "where has the time gone!"  It's fun to see how the puppies have changed over the last few weeks.  They've transformed so much since the beginning being tiny balls of fur that barely move to now being these rambunctious little balls of fur with a whole lot more personality.  As a spiritual man, it's amazing to see how God has created each one so perfect!  My wife and I thoroughly enjoy watching the puppies and the kids interact when they have them in the house, and even when their in the shed.  The puppies are starving for attention, and you can just lay on the floor and one or more will come and snuggle in by you, nibble on your ear, or lick you on the face!   There aren't too many things in life more fun than 10 little lab puppies that are starting to show their personality.  Boden has even started to come up with his own names for a few now!  The other day when we had them in he started, but since he used the same names again tonight, I'll leave them up for debate with you.  Some possible names you might want to consider, as coined by Mr. Boden, "Licker, Scratcher, and Biter."  At this point they are  fitting, but I'm guessing no one is probably going to adopt them as a final name. It's hard to imagine where the time has gone, and in a little over two weeks the first of the puppies will start going to their new homes. I'm getting excited to meet all of you, and though I'm not quite ready yet, we'll be ready to see the pups go into their new homes to be with the new families!   With 7 in this family there is just about enough love to go around to all the puppies, but we'd hate for those last 3 to feel left out!