Welcome Bella!

Trying to get in the jumpy with the girls

I love that she already watches over the girls

Sunday night we saw a posting for a 8 mos old weim in Statesville. I called Monday to look into it and now we have her. Bella is actually 6 mos old, 53 lbs and beautiful! Her previous owner was no longer able to care for her and we have the chance to love her. It will be a challenge but she is kind and wants love. The girls are a little overwhelmed at the attention they receive from her and she wants to be in the middle of the action. Rasta is still a little unsure but knowing him the two will be buddies in no time! I know this was an answer to our prayers and Nesta would be proud of our decision.

June 2010 pics

Viley dancing with Celia

Viley with Rasta

First day playing after being sick!

homemade pasta!

Playing with Dana

Dancing with Celia

Watering the yard-this was around 8 so I'm sure the neighbors thought I was crazy!

Bathing beauty!

Always ready for a picture!

Viley and Grayson

Viely LOVED the water!

My sweet Lu in Beaufort

Making an attempt at pictures....

Viley not really in to it!

At least I got a good one of Lu looking

The girls with Sawyer and Grayson

Brian with the kids

Lu and Sawyer

Rasta has been sleeping with Lu again!

June 2010

It has taken me time to come back and update our blog. To say our lives has changed without Nesta is an understatement. Hard to put into words...looking back at pics and seeing him in family pictures I know his memory will forever live on. And the girls pray every night for his happiness. I miss his bark and silly ear shakes but most importantly I miss his company! He has been with me daily to raise the girls and protect us while Jason is at work.

Now that June is over, a bad to start to summer, actually ended exciting for our family. We found out Wednesday, my sister will be having a little girl! That makes 4 granddaughters for my parents! So fun to know we will be loving on a sweet girl in Nov- Grace(soon to be big sis) told Martha it was the happiest day of her life! When I talked to Lu about Aunt Martha having us a baby girl, she thought the new baby was going to come live with us.

We also met Jason's family at Fripp Island and have pics to post. Check back when you can to view pics!

Our Nesta...you will be missed

Typical Nesta watching the girls outside

My friend, Daisy, painted this about 8 years ago- funny we hung it in the kitchen and now he will continue to watch over meal time.

Well, just when you think things are getting better...our past week with our girls being sick-we had to say good bye to Nesta on Saturday. He experienced Bloat which is the second killer in dogs. There is really no way to prevent it and when it happens to your dog time is crucial! We got him to the emergency Vet but because of his age and wanting his life to be more quality than more time we had to let go. It was difficult to come home and tell the girls. And Lu knew when Jason took him that Nene was really sick and might go to "dog heaven". We didn't know how else to explain why he couldn't come home. Truthfully, after his minor foot problem in Dec, Jason and I knew Nesta would never be the same dog if something else were to happen to him. And that would be difficult. He was smart. He loved us and the girls.

I know I could have never asked for a better dog!

We got Nesta Jan 2,1999 and had no clue what to do with a dog! But he was adorable! And quickly stole our hearts. Before our girls, Nesta and the cats were are world!

He loved "little" Rasta and carried him by the neck...a habit we found needed to stop!

The two of them were always beside each other snuggling.

Funny how a dog can just take your heart and he did! He was so protective of me and the girls. When Jason was out of town, he became the man of the house and was on alert! Our house will be lonely without his silly ear shakes waking us up at 6:30. He loved going to the lake! When I went on bed rest, he felt the stress too! Nesta got in more trouble but always won us over with his sweet eyes. He slept with us and took us most of the bed! He was always up for taking something from your plate, without permission! Nesta gave the best hugs! And most of all he loved being right with us! I can't imagine how are day to day life will be the same. Life will go on but we will never forget the unconditional love of our Nesta!

Thanks for 11 great years, NENE! We love you!

This was taken May 12...he was always close to the girls when food was around

because he was hoping one of them would drop a bite

Camping out with the girls inside this past winter

Nesta and Viley

Friday night Lu told Jason "if you don't stop yelling at Nesta his going to get his blankey and stick and never come back. we have to be nice to nene" - keep in mind Nesta was circling our dinner table waiting for a bite!

update-

Lu actually dressed herself and sister! Even hair!

by the way, they are not posing in the pictures at all!

Yucky germs! Lu started with fever last Friday and FINALLY broke Wednesday during the night! Violet woke early Thursday with a fever and I imagine you know what's to come! Really stinks because my girls were so well and then summer comes and we are stuck inside! Violet is handling this much better and I really think she enjoys the attention! I hope she will be feeling better soon and so glad to have a healthy Lula belle back in action!

Memorial weekend

Before the parade

Leo, Dana, Lu and Violet

around the block we go

Look Viley driving- no hands!

jason and Lu

the egg...nice and smokey!

And YES...tasted so good!

crazy picture of Nesta...he was trying to catch a fly!

I don't think I have ever seen this face before~

Our Memorial weekend was wonderful. We started out with a parade Saturday morning around the block. The kids had fun! We spent most of the weekend outdoors with beautiful weather! Jason smoked out Sunday providing us a delicious meal! Lu calls it world famous- it's at least that in our home! I am so thankful we were able to have a nice weekend together and enjoy each other. These girls are such blessings!

I think we have a sneak-

Caught Viley sneaking a pop tart yesterday afternoon-don't know why she thought she had to hide it but Nesta staring at the pillows on the couch gave her away!

What to do with this silly one?!

by the way, she doesn't like clothes so I never know how I will find her!