Two small boys and what they mean to me

This is a short photo essay of two of the best things that ever came to be in my life, my buddy Ripley and my grandson Cole. Ripley stands tall in my eyes as my first boy beagle, after five females of my favorite breed. Cole sits up tall, as my first grandchild who is quite handsome and is growing like a weed. I used to think that I'd be happy to wait till the cold weather left the frigid north, before venturing out onto the roads to drive to St. Louis, but each day my daughter shares a picture (by phone text) with us, and the child seems to be developing a personality while I was pretty much of the opinion that such development was not on the horizon until at least six months. Guess I was wrong.

So, after we come back from the current cruise, my wife will fly north for another week after Valentines Day, and then it'll be the three of us driving up in April, when Cole is five months old. I'm looking forward to it, and I think Ripley will enjoy this new addition to the family as well. The best thing about Cole is that when he poops, I don't have to bend down and pick it up.