puppy party in the pool

ever since raider joined our family, i've wondered if he could swim.

i grew up with a yellow lab that loved the water more than land and couldn't walk past a puddle without jumping in it.

raider could not be more opposite.

last weekend when we were visiting our family back home,

we threw raider in the pool to see how he would react.

pretty sure we scarred him for life.

after a bit of doggy paddling, raider swam back to us on the side of the pool and bub-hub put him on the floatie for safety.
raider loves to soak in the sunshine!

lesson learned from our weekend of fun:

all puppies can swim,

but that doesn't mean they enjoy it.

what i'm wishin' for

 [clockwise starting top left: 1, 2, 3, 4]

i'm trying really hard to distinguish between wants and needs.

for instance, 

i really want all of these yummy things,

but do i really need a super adorable iphone case or fabulous necklace?

and do we really need to replace our current christmas-themed welcome mat
with this fantastic one that says "howdy"?
and does raider really need a new collar? 

silly bub-hub's "let's save money"
 brainwashing techniques must be working.

what's on your wish list?

poor sick puppy

my sweet puppy has a terribly case of allergies.

he's been sneezing and scratching like crazy so i finally made a vet appointment.

 

 

the vet tech recommended these rubber booties to keep him from scratching.

pretty great alternative to the cone of shame.

i can't even imagine how hard he's been working to get them off.

sorry little man, you can't be trusted.

#scratchattack

i don't know how moms do it.

 his sad little puppy eyes are breaking my heart.

 

this week...

this week:

i got caught up on downton abbey,

died trying my new jillian michaels dvd,

enjoyed the sunny sunshine,

discovered a new favorite wine, cupcake red velvet,

and cuddled with my best friend.

 

pretty fantastic if i do say so myself.

 

how was your week?

 

 

day in the life of the worlds cutest puppy.

have i ever mentioned my puppy raider?

only 500 times? hmmm...

sometimes, when i'm sitting at work, i wonder what my cute little mister does all day.

here is my best guess:

i bet he's helping me with the laundry and watching a little downton abbey.
just call him Lord Raider. 

he's probably playing with destroying his toys and practicing his chewing skills.

and day dreaming about puppy things like chasing birds, eating dinner and trips to the park.

and recently, he became the star quarterback for bub-hub's NCAA team.
so obviously he's been training.
#heisman2013

mostly, i think he sits around practicing his model face.
he's too cute for his own good.

#proudmama

our christmas vacation

bub-hub, raider and i had a splendid time on our christmas vacation adventure.

raider is king of the road.

 we were blessed to be able to spend time with both of our families over the break. 

nothing beats family time.
especially when family time involves watching movies and
eating yummy christmas goodies in your sweatpants.
we went on long walks, enjoyed yummy peppermint lattes from starbucks, and ate a few two many fajitas. can't beat it.

bub-hub and i feel so blessed.
nothing is more refreshing than being surrounded by loving friends and family, and after almost two weeks of goodness, our hearts are officially full.
now, time to gear back up for the real world and a brand new year.

how was your christmas break?

insanity....check!

one: sweet raider and his sweater.

i know, he's the cutest.

#sorryi'mnotsorry

two: my favorite christmas song from my favorite christmas cd. 

[listen to it,,,you know you want to]

three: last weekend, my sweet mama helped me sew up our stockings! i'm obsessed with them, and i can't wait to see what santa leaves in them on christmas eve! :)

four: mmmmmm.....yummy yummy raisin bread. perfect breakfast treat.

five: i did it people. this morning,

i completed insanity!!!

my poor tennies are ready for a break.

i'm looking forward to a month of hot yoga and sitting.

and christmas cookies. and fudge.

 

how was your week?

have you finished your christmas shopping?

  

a beautiful and warm weekend

i'm having difficulty believing it's really december.

it's so warm.

i'm still wearing shorts.
#thisisntflorida

even though i think it is completely wrong that it is 85* outside in december,

the warm weather does have a few benefits.

bub-hub and i spent saturday afternoon at the golf course.

beautiful day to spend in the sunshine!

raider spent his saturday afternoon on the patio.

from our patio, you can see the sidewalk, and raider loves to watch and talk to all the people that pass by. #creeperstatus

saturday night, 

raider helped us deck the halls.

what can i say,

the puppy has a gift for holiday decorations!

 our mini tree:

how was your weekend?

are you still wearing shorts in december?

happy friday!

the week following a holiday tends to last forever.

especially when the weather is beautiful,

and especially when you have a cute puppy waiting for you at home.

one: sweet raider and his giant rope. that boy loves to chew, and i'm grateful it's not my shoes!

two: we didn't win the lottery jack pot,,,,did you?

three: my favorite christmas cd: chris tomlin, glory in the highest.

four: my mom found these super cute gift tags, looks just like raider with a santa beard!

five: i love my family! great photo op at the tech/baylor game last weekend. according to my brother, the bears don't kill their opponents, they only bruise them, because the Bible says murder is wrong.

#privateschoolproblems

 

how was your week?

 

 

meet raider chastain

i would like to introduce you to the newest member of the chastain clan:

raider!

saturday afternoon, we decided to take a trip to the animal shelter to play with some puppies.  it was a beautiful day, and definitely one we did not want to waste indoors. so we headed over to the houston SPCA and stumbled across this little guy!

we weren't planning on getting a dog quite yet, bub-hub was going to surprise me for christmas, but he was too cute and too perfect for us. we just couldn't pass him up! 

#meanttobe #mfeo

he's a six year old american cocker spaniel.  

cutest dog ever right?

#crazydogmom #puppylove

he's super spunky, barely sheds, likes to play fetch and even knows a few tricks. he's the perfect fit for us and for our apartment.  i still can't believe he's ours! :)

if you wanna see photos of raider pop up on your instagram feed, follow me @mrschastain.
you know you can't resist the cuteness....