Annabella

Annabella

This is my dog Annabella, aka Bella.

My family lost our first family dog in April 2008, and we really didn't want another dog after that, but normally those feelings don't normally last, right?

Well, we all kept pestering my dad about buying another dog which he was NOT going for. It took us MONTHS of bothering him and asking him if we could get another one. Our new dog would only be a family dog to 4 instead of the original 6 like Sandy was.

So eventually my dad, mom, and myself went out in search for a dog. My mom wanted a teacup yorkie, but we all were like... NO. An owl would have scooped that tiny thing so quickly out in our yard and we'd never see it again, so that was soooo not happening.

We went around to three different places, and finally stopped at a pet shop in Oregon. My dad saw a sad little Bassett Hound in a tiny kennel in the window, and of course, I fell in love with her big paws and long ears. My mom wasn't really into getting a Bassett Hound, but..... we ended up taking her home :)

[Above Photo] This is baby Bella.

Then started the name game... Well debate between my dad and I.

I wanted to name her Annabell, and my dad wanted Bella, so my mom decided Annabella which integrated both names together.

She was so tiny when we got her. She laid across my lap perfectly.

 

[Above Photo] This is Bella now. She is a Big, Dewey Eyed, Cuddling, Lover bug who wants constant TLC. She thinks that she is human... SERIOUSLY.

She acts like a toddler, and will jump up, wrap her paws around your legs, and put her head in your hip and cuddles.

 

[Above Photo] Cuddling with me next to the fireplace and keeping warm. She LOVES giving kisses too.

[Above Photo] Recently her new favorite is riding in the car. She is learning the word "dog park" and gives me a sideways glace when I say it. Even though she loves going out, she's skeptical about actually being in an enclosed, off-leash dog park. Bella avoids ALL dogs, and is attached to my hip. It's really cute, but she needs to learn to socialize with other dogs.

[Above Photo]  Baby Kevin and Bella. Bella was born 2 1/2 weeks after the twins. She absolutely LOVES the twins and all of the rest of my nieces and nephews.

[Above Photo] Lewisville Park taking family photos

[Above Photo] Bella's corner of the couch. This is where she sits with her leg propped up and watches tv with us, or sleeps.

[Above Photo] Christmas Reindeer! This only lasted for about 2 minutes, but she was the cutest little Reindeer :)

 [Above Photo] Snow day, and she was ALL for it! She was unsure at first and then got over it and had a hay day when she finally went out and played in it.

She looked like a bunny hopping through the snow trying not to get stuck.

[Above Photo] Getting loves while playing outside. We can't let her off of the leash without running off no matter what we do. But this day, we had a ton of my siblings over which kept her busy and in the yard.

[Above Photo] On our way to the Dog Park

[Above Photo] Enjoying the weather with Annabella

[Above Photo] Trying to lay low at the Dog Park

[Above Photo] Sneaking around so the other dogs don't see her

Bella has finished PetSmart's Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced dog training as well as getting the Canine Good Citizen award with the American Kennel Club.

Florida Trip

Florida Trip

- December 2013 -

Initially my Florida trip was a Hawaii trip. I had planned with my Uncle Jack and Aunt Diane two years in advance. Up until 3 months prior to when the trip was supposed to take place I hadn't purchased a ticket yet because I wanted to confirm one more time. I was told that they wouldn't be there and that they hoped I had a wonderful time. We had planned for me to stay with them, so when they weren't going to be there anymore it also meant I couldn't go since I couldn't afford a place to stay. I mentioned that, and my uncle said, "well what about Florida?" So I booked a ticket to Florida instead, which I had never been to before either.

I went the week before Christmas and was scheduled to come home at 1 o'clock am Christmas Eve.

I had to take two flights, one into Texas, and the second went to my final destination.

When my flight arrived in Texas, I checked the clock to see when my next flight was going to be and forgetting about the time change I thought I was behind and that I would have to run to catch my next flight! Luckily I figured it out and my phone updated to the new time.

It was crazy trying to navigate the airport in Texas, but I managed.

Arriving in North Port, Florida, I met with my Aunt and Uncle who came to pick me up at the airport. I walked outside and it was really hot. Kind of a heat rush when you first step out. I got there when they started to have better weather.

I spent a lot of the week with my Uncle Jack going out and doing things. We rode around on the motorcycle quite a bit and my shoulders got really burnt.

That night, they took me out to dinner at this seafood restaurant by the water (I believe in Port Charlotte). I ended up getting this "bucket" dish that has an assortment of seafood in it, like crab, scallops, lobster, etc...

I got to meet my cousin Ruth, her husband Jamil, and her two boys while I was down there as well as staying at her place. The boys were really sweet and I'm glad I got to spend some time with them.

My Aunt and I made some trips to Hobby Lobby which I had NEVER heard of before, it's a better version of the craft stores that we have in Washington.

We all took a trip down to the Bill Swamp Safari on the Indian Reservation in Clewiston, FL.

While we were there, we rode on the boats with the big fans on the back (an Air boat) on the swamp. It was really neat being able to ride on one of them. We also rode on a Swamp Buggy around the land and saw a lot of animal life and old huts on the reservation.

[Above Photo] Gabriel on the Air boat

[Above Photo] Ruth and Jamil on the Swamp Buggy

[Above Photo] Air Boat that we got to ride on

[Above Photo] One of the Swamp Buggies

[Above Photo] The reservation where people can actually rent the hunts and stay in them. They do summer camps for kids too.

[Above Photo] On the Swamp in the Air boat - looking for alligators, turtles, and wildlife

[Above Photo] One of the Alligators I saw walking along the (long) wood bridge.

This gator had little tiny babies swimming around it. The people on the reservation said that they didn't interfere with the wildlife. They let nature take its course.

During this walk, we went to the Critter show, and I got to hold a baby alligator! It was pretty fun!

[Above Photo] Giraffes on one of out trips

This was in a theme park place that we went to

[Above Photo] Elephant doing tricks!

[Above Photo] Kayaking on the ocean at Englewood beach with my Uncle Jack.

We came here a few days on my trip. My Aunt taught me how to look for shark teeth in the little divots in the ocean bed.

[Above Photo] Ringling Brothers Museum that my Uncle and I went to while out riding on the bike.

It was pretty hilarious that my student discount was way cheaper than my Uncle's senior discount!

I'm pretty sure I only paid $5.00 to his $15.00.

[Above Photo] A model of the circus set up

[Above Photo] Taking a photo with my Uncle

[Above Photo] Next to the set up

[Above Photo] In the museum looking at different props that were used

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Thomas Edison and Henry Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, FL

[Above Photo] On the Thomas Edison Estates 

[Above Photo] Great view in the backyard of the Estates

[Above Photo] Thomas Edison's Winter home

[Above Photo] One of the light bulbs that Edison made

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 Waterfront

For dinner, we drove to Sharkie's and got to sit outside in the sun while enjoying our meal.

Beforehand, we took a stroll on the dock and got to watch people out fishing.

There were also a LOT of seagulls on the dock, you definitely didn't want to sit down anywhere.

Christmas & New Years 2014-2015

Christmas 2014

Christmas is a day that we spend time with our family and friends. Its a time to reminisce over the last year and to show your love for one another. We always have my siblings, and nieces and nephews over and it is the best time for us to be able to spend that time together as a family.

I love listening to my nieces and nephews talking about what they received for Christmas, hearing the excitement in their voices when talking about it, and seeing how enthusiastic they are when they are around their cousins.

It amazes me how fast each of them grow and how their personalities change each and every year. It is really amazing to be present for those moments, and I will continue to cherish them.

[Above Photos] Our Christmas Tree! :)

My mom and I put it up together this year since it's just my parents and I at home since my little sister moved away. I am always excited to spend time going out shopping to find the right gifts for my parents, and friends.

[Above Photos] My nephew Aidan and Auntie spending some one on one cuddling time on Christmas <3

[Above Photos]  My sister Sarah and I enjoying some wine on Christmas

Sarah, Ryan, Kirsten and James all stayed the night Christmas Eve to Christmas Day this last year. It was nice being able to spend Christmas morning with them. It was Kirsten and James's first Christmas together as a married couple :)

[Above Photos] My niece KateLynn and I

Little Katie gave me an angel necklace for Christmas, it was the sweetest thing!

[Above Photos] My parents and I

So lucky to have such wonderful parents!

[Above Photos] Sisters  <3

Sarah, Kirsten, Me, and Jennifer

[Above Photos] Left - Annabella and I, Right- Kirsten, Bella and I

I always have a great time going out to find the absolute BEST gifts for my dog every year for Christmas. She sure does love her toys, treats, and sweaters! :)

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New Years 2015

Celebrated the coming New Year with my parents and Annabella (dog)

It was nice to spend time with my parents this year!

I am really lucky to have both of my parents in my life - They love and support me in everything that I do, and are my biggest cheerleaders during school.

[Above Photo] Celebrating the New Year right!

It's amazing to me how quickly each year passes and how many changes come each year. There are so many changes coming in 2015 for my family and myself.