So Long to a Great Summer!

Summer of 2011 was great! One of the best summers I've had!

It all started with a family reunion in Tahoe. It was great to see everyone and catch up! I also caught up on my beer pong skills even though the cousins dominated.

I watched New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys....twice!! It was great and took me back to my childhood.

I also celebrated my 29th birthday! My last year in my 20's! I am so blessed to have so many wonderful friends! We had a blast line dancing and enjoying beer and cupcakes!

The annual fishing trip with Dad and Craig (minus Jess). Much better fishing than last year. Had a fun trip minus the deckhand that began to seizure and the fact that someone needed the Heimlich Maneuver.

I competed in 2 triathlons, an ocean swim, and a mud run this summer. I am very pleased with all of my finishes. I continued to finish in the top 5 of my division. I've been training all summer for an Olympic distance triathlon on Sept. 11th. I can't wait!

Craig and I also went to plenty of Angel games this summer. The highlight was the Dierks Bentley concert. The Angels won and then we enjoyed a country concert. We had a great time!!

There were some many other memories made during this summer! I feel refreshed and ready to go for the upcoming school year! Wait... how many days til next summer??!

Stella- A Year in Review

On Aug. 23rd, 2010, Stella came into our lives. Craig found her on the Love Bugs Website (Doggie Rescue) and we decided to have her come over with her foster parent to see if she would fit our home. When Craig first saw her, he didn't like her undocked tail. I, however, was already in love. I have never had a dog before. I grew up in a neighborhood where it seemed like everyone had a dog. I think I would have fallen in love with any dog that came through our front door. She was such a shy dog and very scared of being in this new place. Once she got in the backyard she was running around and playing. It was an easy decision to keep her.

It was clear from the beginning that Stella was neglected and abused. You can see how skinny she is in this picture. When you would try to pet her should would cower or even run away. When we did get a chance to pet her, you could feel her spine and her bones. Poor girl.

By October, we had Stella enrolled at obedience classes at Pet Smart. This would change everything. She would graduate from beginner, intermediate, and advanced class. Those classes have helped her get over being so scared of everything.

She loves spending time with us where before she would spend all day and night outside. She is even a therapy dog for BARK (Beach Animals Reading with Kids). I took her to Morse Elementary School this summer and little kids read books to her. The kids were always excited to see Stella.

I love this dog so much! I'm excited for her to be a part of my life for a very long time. She will always be my first dog and I feel so lucky to have her.