Busy Girl

I know the lighting in these pics is not great...it has been raining and it is super gray today.

Yesterday, we went to the pet store and picked out our gift for the Christmas exchange.  Then, we visited with the neighbors.  I was so so proud of Kelsey-she climbed into the neighbor's lap all on her own and she even kissed the toddler.  I am so happy that she is learning to trust others.

Then, Grandma came today to loan us the camera. We tried doing some Christmas pictures, but there was just not enough light.  We will have to try again another day.

Look what I got for being so good!

We had to go to the other pet store today.  While we were there, we noticed that the grooming department only had one dog and the nice groomer was there.  So, we stopped in and got Kelsey's nails done.  She had a stressful experience with a guy that was working there last time and several large and growly dogs came in while we were there...so, we are really careful to only go when it's empty and when there is a good groomer.  Kelsey did so well, so she got two new toys.

And shhhh, don't tell Kelsey-I did some Christmas shopping when she wasn't looking.  I found some toys and a box of cookies too.  After the pet store, we drove through Taco Bell for an early dinner treat.  The girls that work there always get a kick out of seeing her.  And now, Kelsey is passed out in her bed, all snuggled up with her blankie.

Getting Excited and New Tricks

Last week, Kelsey got her first Christmas card.  She was very interested and actually sniffed each dog's picture on the card.  Yesterday, she received three more cards and her present for the gift exchange from Bella at The Royal Coonhounds.  Kelsey knows that this package is for her.  The plan was to wait until closer to Christmas to open the gift, but we may cheat and open it sooner.  I caught Kelsey licking the package and even nibbling the corners.  She has never nibbled on a package before.  So, I may give in and let her open it early (but, we have to wait until we can borrow Grandma's camera so we can get some decent pictures to share).

And now, for another not so high quality video with mysteriously vanishing and reappearing sound (sometimes the sound is there and sometimes it magically disappears) to share with you all.  The other night, I decided to see if I could teach Kelsey to jump over something.  She pretty much nailed it by the third try.  So we then tried going under something and she nailed that too.  The next afternoon we decided to give it another try to see if she actually remembered her new tricks and she did.  She sometimes jumps the gun and tries to guess what I am going to tell her to do, but other than that, she can do both tricks. I tried to capture it on video, but holding treats in one hand, the camera in the other and trying to keep one leg up as her obstacle was a bit tricky. 

Thankful

I am so thankful that I get to spend each day with this sweet little girl.  And, we are both especially thankful for all our troops.

Okay, can we eat now, Mom?

Since I am such a picky eater, Kelsey did not have any turkey for Thanksgiving.  Instead, we enjoyed macaroni and cheese, peas, and berry applesauce.  Kelsey did not complain.  In fact, after dinner, she rubbed her whiskers all over the couch and then had a major case of the zoomies around the family room. 

Monday Mischief: Praying Mantis

Sorry about the quality...everything was done at night.

This year, Kelsey has been having a ton of fun at night.  There have been many creatures out to play with.  This is one of the praying mantises she found.  Don't worry, she doesn't kill them.  She just enjoys chasing and playing with them.

I love this one...nose to nose.

This is Kelsey playing with one of her praying mantis friends.  When she jumps, it is not hurting her...she does that every time he moves his arms.  

Black and White Sunday: Socks

 I have a confession.  I have been known to steal Mom's socks.  But, it's kind of her fault because she lets me (I never chew holes in them).  I love rolling on my back and holding the sock in the air.  Mom says I look like a sea otter when I do that.

Who could say no to these puppy eyes.

Bedtime

Is it bedtime yet, Mom?

Lizard Hunter

Kelsey was determined to catch this lizard friend (she usually doesn't try climbing the house).

It had crawled up the house in the space between the downspout and the stucco.  Maybe Kelsey thinks she is a spider monkey.

All of the sudden, we heard a loud thunk.  Apparently this little guy was not a great climber.  But, he was great at hiding...we could not find him at all.  

Wordless Wednesday

enjoying the sunshine with my one-eared bunny

Pumpkin Time

 Kelsey is a little bit timid about being around pumpkins.  I did try putting peanut butter on them...she licked them a little bit and then backed away.  So, I just left them out and ignored them.  She did get brave and sniff them briefly.

 I did manage to get a few pics this year where she didn't look completely freaked out.

I tried putting the pumpkins outside for pics and she did a little better this way. 

Mom, if you put a Zuke's on it I might like it a little bit more.

I had wanted to have Kelsey dress up as a pumpkin in past years (Pumpkin was one of her nicknames before I came up with her name), but have been frustrated with the costume sizing.  The smalls are way too short and the mediums are way too baggy.  So, I gave in and got her the small this year. 

  

 Success! We have a picture of Kelsey in her costume with a real pumpkin (and she doesn't look freaked out-but she still isn't convinced that pumpkins are okay).  She was so adorable in her little hat and was so good about keeping it on for pictures, although she takes it off when she thinks we are done. 

These are the pumpkins Kelsey and I carved...a few days after Halloween (I was a little under the weather).  We only had 9 munchkins come by this year...4 were babies/toddlers and 5 were under 7 years old...so they were all really sweet.  The little ones really loved seeing Kelsey all dressed up and she wasn't as scared this year.

No Kisses Please

This one cracks me up...totally looks like Kelsey is turning down Simon.  

We love when Simon comes over to visit.

First, he will go and investigate every inch of the yard.  Then, he comes in and goes into destruction mode on Kelsey's toys.  Finally, he absolutely LOVES snuggling up in his favorite Kelsey bed.  Sometimes he will wait for her to leave the bed and then he will jump right in.  Other times, he won't wait and will just climb right in and squish her out...or even lay down right on top of her.  We can't wait for another visit.

Tongue Tuesday

There goes that tongue again!

Please don't forget to head on over to Baxter Boo and vote for Kelsey's photo.  She is wearing her pink fairy costume and looks pretty cute.  You only need to vote once...and she could really use your support.  Thanks so much.

Smoke and Wind Again

So we had yet another fire along with the Santa Ana winds.  For quite awhile the smoke was being blown right over our home.  We even had ash raining down on us.  

This picture turned out kind of neat....just some lingering smoke left from the shifts in the wind.  We opted to not go out for a drive to get closer...it was way too hot for Kelsey (and me) and my allergies were already acting up.  It looks like they already have made significant progress as there is very little smoke now.

Monday Mischief Pumpkins

 OMD! It's right behind me, isn't it?

 Don't even think about coming any closer.

(I seriously have no clue what she was looking at)

Okay...everybody make your best pumpkin faces.

(I think I caught her at the end of a yawn)

Don't forget to get your vote in for the Baxter Boo photo contest.  Kelsey is wearing her pink fairy costume and would greatly appreciate your votes.

Black and White Sunday AND Kelsey Needs Your Votes

Kelsey needs everybody's support to win a photo contest on Baxter Boo.  The picture above won her their daily photo contest on October 20th, which means she is now in the running to be their monthly winner.  

Here is how to help Kelsey out: Find her picture on their contest page and then click the VOTE button underneath her picture (you will only need to vote once).  Then, make sure you scroll down to the bottom of the page to SUBMIT your vote.  If you don't go to the bottom and SUBMIT your vote, it won't count.  They need your name and email to make sure you aren't over-voting.  You can opt out of their email communications.

Vote for Kelsey here.

Thank you so so so much for your support.

Go Kelsey!

Kelsey's Booties

I am going to give this a try again.  I have tried to post videos in the past without success.  The quality is Horrible-my phone is not great for videos and randomly chooses to add black spots to videos.

This is Kelsey learning to walk in her booties.  We got them not for snow, or mud, or rain.  We got them because the patio is too hot for her little paws.  We tried socks first, but her skinny little ankles didn't hold them up well.  She is not a big fan of the booties.  She has to be bribed with cookies to walk in them.  But, they have done a good job of protecting her little paws.

She has gotten much better with practice.  Once she gets going, she will even run in them.  And you should hear her prancing on the hardwood floors, she sounds just like a galloping horse.

Simon

Simon came to take care of Kelsey yesterday while I went to the doctor.  Kelsey hates being alone, so Simon's mellow personality helps her a lot.  Isn't he adorable in Kelsey's pumpkin hat?

Apparently Simon doesn't think adorable is for him.  He was so not into wearing that hat.  His evil eyes say it all.