Here she is on Christmas morning...Santa sure can't wrap very well...the print is upside down!!!
On Christmas, after we opened our presents, we decided to go for a walk at Little Mulberry Park, which is very close to where we live. The scenery is always so pretty and it was almost a summertime day...lots of people were walking in shorts and tank tops! Isn't that unreal???Stella hopped onto these steps by a small stream and I snapped her picture. Doesn't she look just lovely?
Here she is posing by the lake at the park. I had to hold her back from taking a leap right into the water...it was sure warm enough for a quick dip. 
The day after Christmas, we headed to Chapin, South Carolina where my mother-in-law and brother-in-law live. It's about a 3 hour drive from our house. I tried to get Stella's picture as we were passing by the "Welcome to South Carolina" sign, but I didn't snap it quick enough, so this was the next best thing. 
Stella's traveling down foggy Little Mountain, just outside of Newberry, South Carolina.
Finally, we arrived at my mother-in-law's house! Stella couldn't wait to get out of the car and meet everyone!
Stella, Chris, and I stayed in my mother-in-law's moms' wing of the house. Whew, that's a mouthful! We called her Grandma Vining and she passed away several years ago at the ripe old age of 87. She was a wonderful person and a lot of fun to be around! Stella is posing by Grandma Vining's picture that was taken when she was a little girl. Check out the size of that hair bow! I get so tickled every time I see it! 
My father-in-law was always a huge train buff. He collected Lionel trains for a number of years. When they moved to this house in South Carolina, he built a train room, along with the help of my mother-in-law's artistic abilities. This shows you just a portion of his display. I often said they could have charged admission for people to come in and see it. 
Here's some of his train collection that hangs on the wall of his train room. 
Stella had to get right in the mix of things. See her peeking out from behind the train?
Here she is by the train depot...
And by a farmhouse.
Before I knew what happened, Stella decided to make like Superman and fly over the big metropolis. She's much more daring than I am!
She insisted on doing a little hiking up the side of a mountain. I was beginning to think she'd never run out of energy! 
Shortly before we left, I took Stella out in the backyard for a little fresh air and a look of the lake. Yesterday, it was foggy all day long, so I didn't get the chance to take her out and show her around.When she saw the swing, she just had to try it out!
Here she is in front of the dock that my father-in-law and brother-in-law built together several years back.
This is the view my mother-in-law gets to see everyday. She lives right on Lake Murray, which is a huge lake in South Carolina. We have so much fun in the summer going boating and tubing! The sunsets are breathtaking!
Stella, being the adventurous girl that she is, just had to climb a tree! Talk about some skill! She didn't fall off one time!
This is the back view of my mother-in-law's house, the side that faces Lake Murray.
Stella posing on a little bridge my mother-in-law set out to cross a little stream they constructed.
When Stella saw this alligator, she tried to run for the hills...UNTIL I told her that it wasn't real! She really can be a big ol' chicken sometimes.
We returned from South Carolina about an hour and a half ago. So, as you can see, Stella has been one busy girl, especially these past few days. She's pooped, but as they say, "There's no rest for the weary." Tomorrow, I will bid Stella a fond farewell and send her on her way to my buddy, Daphine, in Texas. There is no doubt that Daphine and her family will show Stella a rootin' tootin' good time in the Lonestar state. Be sure to check out her blog from time to time and see what new adventures await!I will be posting about our Christmas in a few days, once I recuperate from our trip and get caught up. I have much to share! I've missed you all and I'll be back soon! By the way, when I was creating this post, I accidentally deleted my signature, hence my handmade one! Guess I'm a little rusty!
April
April
Stella accompanied us to church this morning. This is the road that that takes us there. It's about 5 miles from our house.
Here's the Baptist church where we attend. It was established back in 1842. In 1911, they had a membership of 170 people. Now, the membership is around 4,000! Isn't that amazing??? Stella BEGGED me to let her go inside with us, poor thing! I convinced her to stay in the car and take a nap, instead. 
Another view of our church. The worship center is to the right and the Sunday school classes are held in the buildings to the left.
Last, but not least, is Stella hamming it up with a very special "elf". I think she was terrified at the size of those ears!
Who knows what we have planned next for Stella! Stay tuned! Enjoy your day everyone...I'm off to make fudge with my "elf". :)
This is a beautifully decorated house in our neighborhood. I love the lighted angels.
Here's our house. I like how our yard looks like there's snow covering it...not true, unfortunately! Though it has gotten colder today, there's none of that "white stuff" in sight. Wah!!! What I'd give to have a white Christmas, just like many of you!
Here's the store where you buy the ice cream. You can, also, take a free tour of their dairy plant and see how milk and ice cream are processed and made. It's pretty interesting, but you have to wear a hairnet, which makes for a lot of giggles, believe me! 
Stella's posing in front of the huge Mayfield cow that is all decorated for Christmas! 
It was then off to see Chateau Elan Winery and Resort. It's located about 40 miles north of Atlanta and sits on 3,500 acres of land. It's really beautiful in the spring and summer. This is the driveway leading to the resort, at the top of the hill. 
Stella just couldn't resist striking a pose in front of Chateau Elan! She is one camera hound, let me tell you!
Here's a picture of the vineyards...
This is the inn where guests can stay. I've heard it's very nice, but I've never stayed there myself. 
Chateau Elan is especially beautiful at night with all the Christmas lights and decorations. I may try to go back sometime in the evening for a few more pictures if I get a chance.
When she saw our nativity scene, she just had to be a part of it. She knocked poor ol' Joseph completely out of the way! She wanted to be right next to Mary and baby Jesus.
Stella attended Abby's first middle school concert with us last night. However, the choir director made an announcement that he did not want anyone taking flash photography during their performance. So, I had to take a couple of real quick photos between selections. Here's Abby walking across the stage (she's right in the middle) following her performance with 5 other girls. They did such a great job!
Another one of Abby, third over (R to L), bottom row...
After the concert, I made an attempt to take a picture of Stella outside the high school where it was held...the largest high school in Georgia, with an enrollment of nearly 4,300 students! Isn't that unreal??? However, it was too dark and there were lots of people walking around. They probably thought I was a little "off" when they saw me sitting Stella on a post outside of the high school and snapping her picture. Oh, well, that's half the fun, right? Brittany and Abby were laughing hysterically at me in the car! 
I'll be certain to take Stella out with me as the week progresses so that you can see how her stay is going here in Georgia. Next week, she be traveling with us to South Carolina the day after Christmas. Should be fun! I think this is such a wonderful way for all of us to see different parts of our country and the world! So, be sure to be watching for another update on Stella's adventures!
