Mashed Potatoes

Yeah. That's right. We named our new puppy Mashed Potatoes. I know it is a pretty weird name but we think its cute. She goes by Mashy though. So if you ever call her, don't expect her to respond to her complete name. Well ok, ok.... actually, dont expect her to respond to Mashy either. She is not the prodigee that is Baloo. In fact, she is quite the handful. She is very energetic, independent, and quite feisty. We love her though. And boy, does Baloo love her! Sure she is his little sister that he picks on, but they are so very attached. It is so cute!

Her first nap at home

 Daddy and the kids

 

 Mashy learning the hard way why we let others have their

privacy when they are going to the bathroom

 

 Cuddlebugs

 

Is that even comfortable Mash?

She has a pink nose! What kinds of dogs have pink noses?

She is a shelter puppy so we know she has lab in her but what else?

 

Such a hard life being puppies

Zoolights

Fun times at Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma....

its no World Famous San Diego but fun times with  fun family :)

 

Justin being a snail, or maybe a hermit crab...not too sure

 

Jeremy doesn't fit hahaha

 

The boys

 

The girls

 

under the rainbow

 justin and amanda

 me and my boo! whatever that means....

Baloo's Birthday

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Baloo Bear!
Happy Birthday Baloo!

Baloo you have no idea what I am saying to you because
1) you don't how to use the computer
2) you don't know how to read
3) well...you are a dog

Me and Daddy sure don't treat you like a dog though. You are our little baby and we love you so much. I think lots of people think we are crazy for loving you so much since you aren't even human. Maybe they are right, but well, that is okay with me.
You see Boogs, you are one awesome pup. You have no idea how much you mean to me. Daddy bought you for me for Valentine's day so that I wouldn't be lonely while he was off at work, going to the field...and so far away from my family. And it worked. I sure wasn't lonely once we got you. You followed me everywhere....well you still do. And you make it a point to make sure I always know you are around (i.e. dropping a ball on my face in the morning, crossing my path when I am walking, leaving Baloo hair all over the house).
Yup, you sure are a handful. You pull me when we walk. You wake me up early to go bathroom. You make a mess with your new found personal goal to ensure all our paper is shredded. You get sick quite often.You cost me lots of money. You can be stinky. And most recently, you break my toe. Still Mr. Baloo... you are my best friend. No matter what you are always there for me. Not even when I am all sweaty, and messy, or grouchy, do you ever treat me bad. Nothing I can do, would make you stop loving me. Even when I spank you or ground you to the kennel, or leave you all day, you still wag your tail like crazy when I get near you. And that just makes me feel awesome my pup. You love me unconditionally like a true friend would.

You would think that would be the reason I love you so much but to be honest there is a little bit more to why we feel about you the way we do. You see, Baloo, me and daddy have been wanting to be a "real" mommy and daddy for quite some time now. And well, it just hasnt happened yet for us. And i think more than anyone, you have seen just how sad that has made us at times. Yes, Baloo. I know we are crazy. I know life for us right now is hectic and crazy. And being away from family makes things hard. And still not even having spent a whole year together yet. And with the very real almost certain possibility that Daddy will be deploying again, i know a lot of change is coming. Yet Baloo, mommy and daddy love each other very much and love kids so much. And to both of us having a kids is something we want so much, to carry on the great love we have learned from ours. It can definitely be hard some times to not understand why it hasn't happened for us just yet. Especially when I see how much Daddy loves you. How he takes care of you. How he worries about you. I just know he will be a great daddy someday. When will that day be?.....

Yes Baloo I know. I know God has a time for everything. God has a reason for everything. God has a great plan for me and daddy and I need to trust Him. And that is what keeps me going. I praise God for this time He has given me to learn more about myself, more about Daddy, more about His Word, and grow more in my relationships with both Him and with your daddy. And I also praise Him that He has given me you. This wonderful pup that is a year old. This wonderful puppy that has filled our year with many fun adventures. And I thank Him that He shows me love through you. And that He gives me the opportunity to be a mommy to you while we wait for His timing and His plan which is better than I can even hope for. After all Baloo, I had always wanted a little dog and along came you, a gaint but most sweetest pup. Thank you so much Baloo! Thank you for being that reminder I need to know that He always sends more and better than I could ever hope for.

First Day we got Baloo.

 

 Baloo and Daddy. He was so attached to Jeremy.

You can't see it but my face was doing the same thing as Baloo.

 

 They love to take naps together.

 Baloo! You need to go potty outside! Hahaha. Baloo actually got it superfast.

I don't think he ever even got to ten accidents.

 

 Baloo and Daisy May. The love of his life.

 

 Baloo loves his daddy so much

 

 Baloo loves the truck so much more than our VW rabbit.

 

 Gumby lasted no more than a couple days :( we can never get him any nice toys. at least he never chewed up our house things or shoes :)

 

 He got so mad when he saw the picture and saw what Daddy was doing to him

 

Silly pupper!

 

 Poor Baloo!

 

 Trying to get Baloo to use his new bed.

 

 I think he caught this one.

 

 Super Pup!

 

 Baloo's Birthday at the park.

 

 

 

 

Hey Boogs! Happy Birthday! We got a surprise for you! You have been asking for one and now that you are seven and old enough we think you should get a new puppy!

Meet Mashed Potatoes.....our new baby girl!

Ouch!

Well I was in the ER again. I have been there about four times just this past year. Well the good part of it is that it has never been for anything serious but then again, after about the 3rd time, I start to feel silly for having to go so often.
Anyways, thankfully this time it was again, not a big deal. Still, I think this probably was the most embarrassing visit.....

Doctor walks in with a big smile on his face
"So I understand you are here.....because...... because you tripped over your dog?"

Ok...so I didn't really trip over Baloo, as much as get run down by him, but either way, it sure is funny to everybody when I tell them the story on how genius abby and jeremy thought it was a great idea to take our puppy to a pitch black Frisbee golf course at night using only glow stick lights and the moon to guide our way....Uncle Danny, how come you didn't stop us? hee hee :) just kidding. (we miss you by the way)

Actually Baloo did well the whole night except for that moment. Maybe it was my fault I decided to wear all black and forget to wear my glow stick lights. Well you can be sure after belly flopping on the only little bit of pavement in the middle of tons of grass, that I put my glow sticks on. You can also be sure that after the bruised palms, brusied knees, bruised stomach, sore arms, and broken toe that I will also not be taking my puppy out at night........

 Ok, ok, so I probably will. I just love that puppy too much. After all my bruises are pretty much gone, and my toe is almost completely healed after only a week.....not to mention it gave me something funny to write about.....

**we love and miss you**