I’m back on my feet after a week of recharging, and it feels so good. Today I ran around trying to get all of my Christmas shopping done, and Lucy and I found ourselves at the pet shop – hahaha! It’s taking everything inside of me not to buy her a puppy, because she loves them so much. Plus, its just pure entertainment watching her interact with little animals! She laughs this huge belly laugh just seeing them walk. We may settle for a guinea pig… HA! So puppy and guinea pig (haha) owners: Speak up! I’d love what you have to say about these pets.
On another note, our dining room has transformed into STICKY NOTE CITY! Brad and I have been thinking outside of the box for projects this next year. I’m so excited for these ideas to unfold into reality. Also, now that we know we’re not having a baby next summer — we are planning our next service tour. We’re taking country suggestions, so please comment if you have any! We will be announcing the destination and dates soooooooon. π
I’m going to leave you with a challenge that I’ve been working on tonight: If you live somewhere cold, do whatever you can to embrace this beautiful cold weather! Bundle up, and get outside.
Thanks for your sweet comments over this last week. It has meant the world.
Necklace: Madewell || Sweater: Piper & Scoot || Jeans: Rag & Bone || Boots: Sorel || Lucy’s Moccs: Freshly Picked
Photography by Alisha Gregson
CHILE! oh my goodness how amazing would that be?! Iβm half chilean and have never been there! itβd be a great opportunity if there was a way to have a service tour there… I mean any country would be awesome, but Chile especially! p.s. these pictures {and all of your other ones} are darling!
Chile is on our list!!! Thanks for notching it higher! It really would be amazing.
We own guniea pigs and love them! They're nice and small and easy to take care of. Quite possibly not the best pet for a small child, but they are still too cute! I say puppy, puppy, puppy! haha.
I was imagining the Guinea Pig in one of those giant hamster balls! Haha! But now that you own one and think a puppy would be better I'm going to tell Brad…… π
yaaaay! so excited that you are doing another service tour and I am with Lauren on Chile haha!!
Chile would be RAD! Definitely a country we are considering.
Puppies bring happiness. I've never been a dog person but my husband and I have had our puppy for 4 months and I never knew I could love an animal so much! Puppies change lives! On a side note, while listening to the radio the other week they talked about a study that shows that kids who have dogs do better in all areas such as school and prove to have less anxiety. That sold me π
You're selling me!!! Hahahaha
Puppies are worth it! I got a dog when I was about 5 and we grew up together! Puppies bring joy and are just a blast. Plus like dog security guards are bomb..my dog sleeps outside my little sisters room when she is sick and gives kisses on those rough days. Dogs are little pieces of Heaven.
And service tour to nepal? argentina? Chile would be BOMB! india? china?
Love you & your cute family π
Aw, you're making me fall in love with the idea of a puppy!!! We'll see what happens. Also Nepal and Argentina have not been on our radar — we'll look into those! Thank you!
absolutely adore your family π If this isn't too far fetched, I would love to go to AFRICA with you guys. That would be a dream. Thanks for being such an inspiration to me. I owe it to you for any success i've had in my small video business because its you who has inspired to me to make it my future career. Sending my love to your cute family!
Reggie, thanks for making my day! And yes, Africa would be supppppper cool. Thanks for your input!
I had a guinea pig when I was little and we ended up selling because it bit everyone- they aren't the friendliest animals but a good dog can feel like part of the family! They just make it hard to travel. Also I think a service trip to India would be amazing PLUS the footage you could get would be unreal! Glad you are feeling better οΏ½οΏ½
BITING!! Yikes!!! Hahahah well that idea just went out the window! Thanks for the heads up!
I never wanted a dog but my husband did so badly so I finally caved! We got a mini labradoodle and I'm so in love! We picked that breed because they are so good with kids–so playful but not the tiniest bit aggressive! Good luck with your decision though, it's such a big one and definitely more work than I had imagined. π And these pictures are amazing, your little family is so beautiful!
That's the one thing holding us back is all of the travel… Thanks for your sweet comment and advice!!
How do I get the chance to go on the service trip?!? I would LOVE to go!!!
Africa! I went last summer and the people over there really need the help. Me and my group have been raising money all year for the orphanages we visited. It truly was life changing. It is a huge trip to plan though!
Thailand, Thailand, Thailand! The place is a dream, the people are so amazing & kind. I lived there a couple years ago for a few months in the villages & they are so grateful for anything they receive.
We have a 4 year old Schnauzer and have loved every second with her. We were both cat people growing up, so we decided to try a dog. Best decision ever! In fact, we are surprising our youngest, Bailey, with a new puppy on Christmas. I am so excited. We met him this last Friday and he is to die for π You will love it!!
Oh my goodness! You and your family are so adorable! Love the photos!!
leavingericafootprints.blogspot.com
Puppies are SO cute, but it's like having another baby! When you travel, you have to get a sitter or take them to the kennel. They are a lot of work and can ruin your home and yard. Plus they smell, shed, track in dirt… I guess it depends on what kind of dog you get. We got a puppy for our kids for Christmas last year and I would personally not recommend it.
Please visit Oregon! Eugene, Bend, and Portland are all great cities, and Multnomah falls would be a great place for you to visit! Also, if you're not ready to adopt a dog or guinea pig yet, you may want to consider fish! They're obviously not as interactive but Lucy would probably still enjoy watching them in their fish bowls! Especially at an age where Finding Nemo can still seem realistic! Love your Christmas photos by the way!
Please visit Oregon! Eugene, Bend, and Portland are all great cities, and Multnomah falls would be a great place for you to visit! Also, if you're not ready to adopt a dog or guinea pig yet, you may want to consider fish! They're obviously not as interactive but Lucy would probably still enjoy watching them in their fish bowls! Especially at an age where Finding Nemo can still seem realistic! Love your Christmas photos by the way!
Your family is just so adorable! I grew up with a puppy and loved it. They are a fun little buddy to have around and to take care of. Yes they do nip a bit only cause they are babies. But the puppies I've had (yellow labs) don't really bite they more like gently chew if that makes sense. And for the trip I'm not sure if you guys have been to New Zealand, but it's stunning there! Or maybe Bali? I'd love to go on a trip with you guys. You and your husband really inspire me. I've always loved photograph and am trying to get into it more. If you have any helpful tips for me that would be amazing. Sending love and prayers to your family!
Dogs are awesome but can be hard work but they are worth it. Let me know when you go on your next service tour! I was thinking of Peru (your Fiji trip inspired me) but it would be awesome to go to Africa or India! Yet Peru would be fun because I've never been to Macchu Pichu or Lake Titicaca!!!
If Lucy likes to squeeze or accidentally squeezes when she gets excited, a Guinea pig night not be the best option οΏ½οΏ½ we had a not-so-great experience with my little brother… ha! in terms of puppies, a great family dog is the boxer breed! they are smart, easy to train, and amazing with children. they are super sweet and love being outside, hiking, etc! but they can also be couch potatoes! we have a 10-month-old boxer right now named Ellie! I have lots of pics and vids of her π and my mom has 2 boxers, aged 3 and 5! we love them! okay, so obviously my vote is puppy, haha!! love the family pics π
If you get a dog (which you totally should!) I volunteer to watch him/her as you travel around! Don't let it stop you! Also, if you want someone to carry your equipment/do errands for you and your business (I could learn SO much from you!) I volunteer as well π
Your family photos are so cute!! π
I've had both small animals (bunnies, guinea pigs, hedgehog, mice/rats) and dogs and dogs are so much easier to take care of. It's different when they can be apart of your family, like lay on the couch with you and cuddle with you. I have two toy poodles (not shedding!) and we let them out to go potty and never have to clean up our yard, because the poop just disappears in the grass and gets mowed away. Smaller animals don't make the same connection with people so they can become more aggressive when they feel scared. I've had more things chewed in my house by the bunnies and guinea pigs than by dogs. Plus, if you're home a lot with them then they tend to train better and quicker. Our dogs are our children and they come almost everywhere with us and because they are smaller, people don't really mind. Plus they do make you happier and relieve anxiety.
I would suggest going to the Philippines. Before Ryan started Revive, he was part of Philippines Improvement Group with my husband and a couple of their friends. It's one of the most gorgeous countries with some of the most humble, nicest people around. I absolutely loved it!
Hailey! Annie Pinnock here! I love these pictures and your cute family. Such love and beauty! Well I saw the word puppy and I just got a smile on my face. Trent and I bought a puppy in August (to help with my baby hungry-ness π just kidding). And we couldn't be happier with having a dog. They bring such a different dynamic to family. Trent and I are both dog people and have always wanted one of our own so we are a little obsessed with our Toby. Puppies do take work though. It's like having a new born baby (well i've never experience that…but I was told that from others). But I loved having something to come home to that was excited beyond belief to see me. If you need more help on breeds, ideas or anything you can Facebook message me! Love you and your family! Miss you and hope all is well!
Also….India would be an amazing service trip for you guys! I lived there for 3 months and I would love to help out in any way I can. I have MANY people and businesses there that would welcome you with open arms.
And if you got a puppy…Trent and I puppy sit for people all the time and would love to help out when you guys go on trips. Don't let traveling stop you from getting a puppy and don't let a puppy stop you from traveling. Trent and I have already been on 2 trips since we got Toby and it has always worked out. Plus, when you're gone for a bit and come home, the puppy is EXTRA excited to see you and who doesn't love that!?
(Sorry I have so much to say about the puppy thing…. I'm a bit in love with mine haha!)
Puppppppyyyy! My family has had standard poodles since I was a baby and they are FANTASTIC pets! The breed is very very mild tempered and also doesn't shed… BIG PLUS! Even better, golden doodles .. they look like little teddy bears. π A trip to Africa would be awesome! Also, I liked the recommendation of Argentina and Chile would be so fun for you to experience with Brad! Your Fuji videos have really inspired me to go on a service trip… anywhere… it would be such a positive and humbling experience. Can't wait to hear what you guys decide!
P.S. Your family is so adorable.. love the pics (and your outfits)! π
Westies and Cairn Terriers are great dogs! Especially with kids. They are so sweet and loyal and all around awesome and freaking adorable. I think you guys should go to Cape Town, South Africa on a service trip! But do it a little earlier than the past service trip so I can be back in time for Fall semester to begin π
Or Zambia!
First of all, you have such a gorgeous family!! I love all of these sweet pictures. I want to get my little girl a puppy so bad too (she is 22 months), but I have to wait until we are out of an apartment. It is SO fun watching her interact with animals! π
Wherever you go my husband and I (or maybe just I if he is on a work trip) want to come! We've been wanting to do a humanitarian trip before we have babies & I will be an Registered Nurse by then so maybe that would be helpful! π
You're pictures are so cute! Merry Christmas!
I had a guniea pig and I've had two puppies! I loved my guniea pig, but dogs are just so much more fun!! You have more of an emotional connection with puppies and they bring a lot of joy to a household! π
We have an adult siberian husky; I got her as a puppy when I was 16, but she has totally bonded with our son and I love it. They keep each other company which is so nice when I am busy. I think they would've been even closer if I had them both while they were little. I am a total advocate for dogs with kids. I do take care of her most of them time, but my son is learning simple chores like getting her food. I would definitely study up on it though, larger breeds tend to be better with kids, but have more hair and drool. So if you get one, research, research, research and meet the puppy before you buy it, you wanna be able to click with it. Good luck deciding! π
You have the cutest family! I LOVE the location you shot at!
-Kate
http://katekoutures.blogspot.com/
You can't go wrong with a Golden Retriever, Lab, or German Shepherd as a family-friendly dog! If you get a purebred, definitely find a responsible, licensed breeder. However, I worked as a dog groomer and all the best furbabies I groomed were those cute funny-looking mutts! Including my own dog Ellie, who I had for 12 years (and is now in Heaven) – we actually adopted her from the humane society when she was about 4 years old. She was energetic and playful but past the chewing-and-peeing-on-everything puppy stage! She was a scruffy little terrier mix. Another nice thing about adult dogs is that they're more likely to be potty trained, leash trained, etc!
Thailand!! I would be the first to sign up!
I love these pictures and your cute family!! π
xxErin
http://mintumbrellas.com
I adore every poseβ₯οΈ
These pictures are so adorable!!
http://moosmusing.com
Somewhere in South America! It would be so much fun! I can't wait till you announce the next service tour! Really interested in going with you guys π
I have a puppy and I can honestly say it has brought the entire family closer. Even when the whole family is angry with each other, no one is every angry with the dog and we can all laugh about how cute she is. 10/10 would recommend getting a dog for the family. We have had our dog (a cockapoo!) for 5 years and although she is technically an adult she still acts and looks like a puppy!
I am the biggest animal lover and so this is why I say this! If you get a dog, make sure it's for YOU and not for Lucy, as you will be the primary person taking care of it! I always had dogs growing up and my mom liked dogs, but didn't love them but my dad always wanted them. Because of that, our dogs were only occasionally loved, but were kind of just wall flowers at home. I was always used to them because they were always there so I didn't pay much attention to them until I was older. Because of this our dogs were never properly exercised so they had some small behavioral issues that drove my mom CRAZY (and this was still a really great dog FYI). So basically what I'm saying is YOU need to be the one to love the dog and not take this decision lightly! For mine and my husbands dog we did TONS of research on breeds for our dog depending on what our lifestyle was like. We decided on an aussiedoodle because they are super smart, supposed to be easy to train, active (because I am a runner and hiker), cuddly, and great with families. But everyones dog choice should be based on their families particular needs. But seriously dogs are SO awesome and make you SO happy! Just know that MOST dog breeds have to be exercised EVERYDAY ( and that doesn't mean putting them out in the yard by themselves). You also have to train them everyday to get the behaviors that you want. They have to be brushed regularly and plan on vacuuming twice as much haha. And don't forget they need lots of attention just as people do! Puppies especially should be monitored nearly 24/7 for the first five montsh. Also remember that dogs live around 12-16 years depending on the breed so you are in it for the long haul. A few other things to consider…puppies bite, because their mouths are like babies hands… they want to explore everything. So they will be totally innocently nippy to little Lucy and since she will be close to the puppies height consider how and if you can handle that. Luckily those little issues are just things that come with puppies that if worked with are totally resolvable! As you know youtube is the BEST place to find help with this! Search Zak George, and Kikopup on youtube! They have TONS of amazing and humane training videos! I think if you love dogs and can't see yours and your families life without one then 100% do it! They are so fun and happy all the time! There is nothing better than seeing your dogs face on a hike or in a big open field, but if you are only getting the dog because you think Lucy will love it, then a dog might get super annoying and a burden to you. I hope that helps a little! My husband and I have no kids and discussed a dog for a year before we found one we loved so I figured I give you my insight!
You're welcome for the novel haha! But we JUST did this so…. ha!
chile or peru would be amazing! glad to hear your feeling better. <3
Hi Hailey!! Seriously dogs are the best!! But I agree with the comment above…get it because YOU want it. Not going to lie, it's a LOT of work. But so worth it if you love dogs! We got our lab 15 months ago and its been so wonderful. He's soooo good with my baby! Just loves to lick his face haha. Puppies are a lot of work and some days can be really frustrating. Our pup had accidents in the house until he was 4 months old. And that was with us keeping an eye on him 24/7. I would suggest crate training for sure. It's the best way to go and they learn to not destroy your house while youre away. Also one thing to remember is that it's harder to just go somewhere for the weekend or for the day. You'll have to find someone to take care of him or a boarding place- I know you guys travel a ton. Anyway- in the long run the pros outway the cons for sure. I love our dog soooo much. He's the best and so smart!! Good luck!!!
The Philippines! I'd totally go with you guys anywhere!!
Those pictures are so beautiful!
It would be lovely for Lucy to grow up with a dog, they are amazing animals, I have two myself that I could not be without!
However always take in to account, they are expensive, they are mischievous and they cannot be left alone for long periods of time. Also, come rain or shine they need walking every day, depending on the breed, you're looking at at least one hour. If you can love a dog like a family member, go for it! If you can't at the moment then I would leave it.
Guinea pigs are the most underrated pets! They are adorable, smart, social, and so so loving! That being said, I would agree with other commenters that it probably isn't the best pet for a toddler, so by default the puppy wins out! Let me know how that goes for you so I can convince my husband next π haha
These shots are adorable! Always happy to see you guys happy π much love and luck on your trips xx
http://www.pamelayaquelin.blogspot.com
HI! if you want something small like a guinea pig i would suggest a bunny! they are so cute and easy and nice! but i really have to say you should get a puppy!! a dog will feel like another family member, they are the best. some things to think about: adopt adopt adopt! we got our pup from CAWS in SLC. they are great, look into them. it might be best for your family to get a grown dog. we got ours when he was 4. they come house broken and totally trained! with traveling and a baby, they would be the least stressful way to go! it'll also be super nice with your family close by so they can watch him when you're gone! the worst part for me is saying bye to him when we travel! good luck! i hope you adopt a dog. they truly are the best and make you so happy π
twopepers.com
Hailey, you and your little family are adorable! My friend and I always obsess over your blog & videos because we make videos on my YouTube! I wanna suggest Argentina.:) // whytli.com //
New Zealand!! I live here and think that you'll like it π
I'm super glad to hear you are feeling better, stay safe! π
You must have been freezing in these photos! Either that or that is one heck of a sweater! Haha! They turned out adorable!
When I was a kiddo, I said that I would have as many dogs as I had children. Now, as an parent and a homeowner, I'll pass on the pets!
Your lip color is gorgeous!! Curious where its from! π
Hi Hailey! I'm from Mission Viejo, California and I was so disappointed bc I went to Disneyland literally A DAY after you left! Hahaha! But I would love to go on the service tour that you're planning. I seriously am obsessed with all of your videos (I'm aspiring to become a videographer and traveler myself;) and I loved watching your vlogs from Fiji! About how much does it cost to go on the service tour?
I know this is a little late but I have been a bit behind with finals and the holidays! My vote is the Philippines! Who knows if I can come because I'm submitting mission papers soon. I wanted to go to Fiji with you but then I went to Rome on the spur of the moment! Thank you for making the world a better place!
This is a it late due to the craziness of finals and then the holidays but my vote is the Philippines! Thanks for making the world a better place!
I have had some friends go to Nepal and Thailand on service trips this past summer and they have loved it. I would love to go there as well!!!
JAMAICAA!!!