Stella's Trip to the OR

Stella was all smiles getting ready to have her warts removed.  Everyone at CPH was wonderful.  They gave her this owl themed cozy blanket and made her feel welcome and safe.  The procedure was super fast and we were on our way home in no time!

We arrived home to a wonderful surprise gift from Bri.  It really made Stella's day and we felt pretty proud too to have made such great friends in Brasher Falls who love and care for our Stella-Bella too!

Stella was a brave patient and hasn't complained about her recovery.  We are hopeful to have this scenario behind us.

A New School Year

Snuggles!

Just before school started up again we ran some last minute errands - beginning with Momma surrendering her first ever license plates!  We ended our to-do list with a trip to a local surgeon to take a look at some warts Stella has that just won't seem to go away. 

Our first day of school tradition of dinner at the Cactus Grill held steady for another year!

 The girls started out the year being very independent - waking up to their own alarm, getting ready without much help, to include helping themselves to breakfast.  After a few days we did remove technology completely from our morning routine.  Here's hoping this year we can stay disciplined about our morning schedule!

Saturday morning, despite needing to get back into the swing of the things, both girls were up bright eyed and cheery Saturday morning for Lily's vet appointment.  Despite her hiatus she's a healthy kitty!

Labor Day Weekend

A weekend at Apple Island RV Camping Resort:

It was a relaxing weekend camping with Grammie and Pa!  On Friday evening I met up with everyone in VT and Grammie and I drove into Burlington to volunteer at RMH for the night.  Saturday morning we had breakfast at IHOP and shopped at the mall a bit.  Then daddy and Papa went and bought a new car.  (Our Jeep had a run-in with a guard rail, the best option between oncoming traffic and a deer. Hopefully our vehicle situation will remain the same now for a while.)  Carolyn and Eli came for a visit too.  The weekend was full of swimming, board games, campfires, and bug collecting!  It started to get windy a bit on Sunday but the storm held off until Monday morning when it was time for us to head back to NY.  This last minute little trip was a nice way for us to wrap up summer vacation.

Awesome August

A sister is a built-in BFF!

July flew by but we were excited to see Stella's wrist completely heal and continued to make the most our of summer!
















Alanna's Baby Shower

More Play Dates

A butterfly release while cocoon watching for Allison

First-time Summer Sunset Finishers!
(This was a great accomplishment for Claire-Bear, who enjoyed
the satisfaction of being finished, but didn't enjoy the process!)

Taste testing a Unicorn Smoothy

On August 15th, at 4am, Lily came home.  After 30 days.  It woke the whole house, shocked the whole house, and delighted the whole house.  This was an experience for all of us.

GS Troop 50303 heads to VT!  We visited the Echo Center, Lake Champlain Chocolate Factory, Ben and Jerry's Factory, rode the ferry to NY, and shared a buffet meal together.  It was a long day but it was a fun day!

Mom and Dad spent the night in Montreal with friends thanks to Grammie and Pa's help:

Velo Festif Montreal - Party Bike!

Botanical Garden

The grown-ups biked around Montreal, visited the Botanical Gardens, and caught a few minutes of the Pride Parade - one of the largest in Montreal.  Meanwhile, the girls went to the VFW picnic with Grammie and Pa at Lazy River and were able to roller skate for the first time.  We heard they had fun and that it was easier than ice skating!  They also were able to meet Grammie and Pa's new Pastor, and Claire even helped with the Communion offering!
























SUNY Potsdam Welcome Weekend Carnival:

Stella's summer job - walking Finn

We rounded out August with a trip to In-Laws Brewing Company.  The girls were happy to sit on the lawn while we tried a beverage.  We even ran into Joey and Katy! 

July Sun!

Colby's Graduation Party

July was full of fun!  We kept busy with lots of activities and definitely spent lots of time outdoors!





















4th of July celebration with Adam and the Girls!

Golf Dates

                            and Play Dates!

Love Massena festival
with Addison

Giving the toy kitchen a make-over

Stella and Claire spent two nights in a row at Grammie and Pa's house while the grown-ups enjoyed some summer festivities: Tim and Val's wedding, and our CHS 20th Reunion!

 Addison's birthday party at Barnhardt beach was a blast!  And, the girls were able to have their first ride on a jet ski and both loved it!

Summer at our house just wouldn't be the same without multiple visits to Calypso Waterpark!  It never disappoints!

Seeds the girls planted in Papa's garden

Tri-Town Summer Festival: Make Some Noise!

 High Peaks Winery musical chairs contest was very entertaining.  We went to watch but ended up playing instead - and Grammie won!  Then we had some local Pizza for dinner and made our way to the Bus garage for the Army Band and fireworks show.

Saturday we joined our Troop for the Parade - and our float won 1st prize for the second year in a row!

 After tearing down our float we ventured over to the arena field for games and activities.  Then Kenny and Sue came by and we had take-out Steak Dinner from the Brasher-Winthrop Fire Department.  Great company and great food was a great way to end the festivities!

 Other July happenings:

Addison and Braydon visited often.  Here they've brought out the golf clubs for a bit of backyard putting.

And Lily Cat ventured out for a hunt mid-month and by the time the 31st arrived, there was still no sign of her.  The girls made signs and we hung them around South Street and Killarny Point in hopes someone has her and might bring her home.