Allow Me To Introduce You To Bella

Yesterday, Ryan and I decided to add on to our family. We are SO HAPPY to announce that Charley has a new little sister. I personally think she favors Ryan. In case your thinking, "I didn't even know that Melody was pregnant," don't worry, this was not a well kept secret pregnancy. Our newest addition is a sweet little Shih Tzu named Bella. She is black and white and such a sweet natured puppy.

Ryan and I had been talking about getting a new puppy after the first of the year. We actually purchased a french bulldog puppy a little over a year ago but sold it a short time later because it was spastic. It screamed like a woman (I'm serious!) and was not very loving. After selling her, Ryan and I decided that we would wait to get another puppy until we found just the right one. We had done a lot of research on what kind of dog would be good for us and good with Charley and had made up our mind that we would eventually get a Shih Tzu. Ryan and I also knew several people who had Shih Tzu's and they all had great things to say about these dogs.

In all honesty, we had no intentions of purchasing a dog yesterday. However, on our way home, we saw a man selling Shih Tzu's. We stopped to take a look and knew instantly that we had found our puppy. Charley LOVES her and so does our other dog, Mandy. Mandy had needed a companion for quite some time and now she has a new baby to take care of. Meet Bella.

Attack Of The Birds

I have never cared for birds. Perhaps that is because when I was little I stepped on a baby bird and the mother bird freaked and flew at me viciously. While I was getting ready this morning, I heard a lot of "chirping" and looked outside to see hundreds (maybe even a thousand) birds in my yard. I was extremely worried that I would not be able to leave my house or in doing so I would be attacked. I did venture out to take some pics, but did not leave the porch. It was quite scary!

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

The rules:
1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Fill out the questions below
3. Tag 5-7 people at the end of your post.
4. Pass on the tag. Have FUN!!

1.Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate. Just hearing the words egg nog makes me want to yack.

2.Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Hello...sits them under the tree! Do you really think he has time to wrap all those presents?

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? We have white lights on our tree and colored blinky lights on our house!

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No! I would be out-running Ryan all the time if I did that.

5. When do you put your decorations up? The week of Thanksgiving...usually the Monday or Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? I enjoying all of the food but my favorite is actually a beverage made with red hots.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child: I loved all the gifts but what I remember most is the excitement I had going to bed on Christmas Eve. I still get that same excitement!

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I heard a rumor at school and then went home and asked my mom. She looked at me and told me told me the rumor was true!

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes. We open gifts at my in-laws on Christmas Eve.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? We have a pre-lit tree with lots of ornaments, red ribbon, and silver bows.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? I love it when it is actually snowing. However, I don't like it when the snow turns black from being on the ground for weeks.

12. Can you ice skate? Yes, but I don't like it.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Hello...who wouldn't LOVE getting a barbie dream house?

14. What is the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spending time with my family.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? COOKIES....any kind.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? I have loved starting a new tradition by having Christmas morning at my house.

17. What tops your tree? A red bow.

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving! I love watching the excitement (or sometimes disappointment) on my families face as they open the gift that I picked out especially for them.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Oh Holy Night!

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? The first one of the season is yummy, but after that, yuck!

21. What do you want for Christmas? I want many more years with my family.

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas Party? We will attend one this year with our Life Group. =)

23. Do you dress up on Christmas or wear PJs? PJ's! I love getting right out of bed and opening presents!

24. Do you own a santa hat? No. Why would I?

25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with? My family.

I Tag: Erica....I can't think of anyone else who hasn't already been tagged!