School's starting?

I can't believe that we are at that time already!  I don't know about you, but I'm not prepared. There is just too much left to do before the kids show up on Wednesday!  

There are a few things that I have been able to check off my list:

-new vehicle 

-boxes unpacked

-the mailbox is up (thanks to Dad and Eric)

-new earrings (made by yours truly)

-one embroidered dish towel completed

Plus, Mom found this cool Mexico bag for me. 

Exceeding expectations

I was looking through "old" pictures on my iPad and my phone. I can't believe how much Stella has grown. Our miniature Australian Shepherd was supposed to be no more than 30 pounds or so. She has far exceeded expectations and is now the size of a regular Aussie (45 pounds). The vet says she is a perfect weight for her height. 

Making the bed...

Stella "helps" with many chores around the house.

Stella the protector!

We discovered tonight that our new house does indeed include wildlife.  Stella alerted Eric and I to 3 "intruders" in our backyard.  There were 3 deer that had wandered into the yard.  

Stella has decided that she loves the big window and it is her seat.  To those of you who watch The Big Bang Theory, she has "placed it in a state of eternal dibs."  

New House!

Stella is really enjoying the new house!  There is so much space to run and play.  She especially loves looking out all the windows.

  

She was also helping pack boxes.  The squirrel wasn't supposed to go into the box I guess.  

Since she is a big girl now, Stella wants to drive.

It's exhausting to be a Stella!

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party!

Things we learned:

1. Very few of our friends actually wore an ugly Christmas sweater.

2. We learned that we could get 25 people into our town house.

3. Stella has to share her toys with Link, but Link doesn't have to share his toys with Stella.

4. We all have way more fun when we get together!

Stella and Wally

I took Stella over to Mom and Dad's house so that she could experience the snow in a fenced-in backyard.  After running around outside and chasing snowballs, Stella decided that Wally should play with her and did her best to convince him.