When in doubt.

All of you know that Chris and I had a VERY hard time picking names for our two lovely daughters. By random, dumb, blind luck or from somewhere deep in my subconscious we happened to name both our daughters after my cousin Daniel's two dogs!

Yes, it is true and it is a good thing we are dog lovers. I remember discussing with Dan that his dog's name was Presley at our grandfather's funeral and maybe even perhaps joking that if I ever had another girl I would name her after his other dog--but I am not sure. This wasn't planned--we just liked the names.

So, when in doubt name your kids after your family or friends dogs! Roxy is up for grabs if anyone needs a girl name!

Summer Solstice.

Summer is finally here, and with temperatures to match! Friday was the official first day of summer and we spent a lot of it outdoors. We took our first trip to the pool at the Homestead. I had just found Presley and Stella swim suits the day before so we had to test them out. Stella and I watched as Presley and dad splashed around in the water. It was a bit cool because the pool is shaded in the late afternoon. By the time we left Presley's lips matched her new suit--blue!


Here is dad teaching Presley how to patch a bike tire. The patch didn't work but Presley was thoroughly interested in helping with the process.



We also played with bubbles but that wasn't nearly as interesting as all the fun stuff dad has in the garage to play with (this time it was the air pump).

Happy 39th!

Since dad was out of town for his 39th birthday (he is always gone for Mother's & Father's Day and his birthday) we got to spend today celebrating. Presley wished her dad a happy birthday first thing this morning and then we were off to Park City for some outdoor fun!

Presley was finally old enough to ride the Alpine Slide so she and Chris hopped on the lift. Presley is no stranger to the ski lift--she went skiing with us several times before she turned 1. Chris would strap on the Baby Bjorn and we would all ski down the slopes at Sundance. This winter Presley is excited to go skiing by herself!

I didn't get to go on the slide but instead waited at the bottom for the photo opportunity. All the way down the slide Presley kept saying "We're coming mama!".

Unfortunately they couldn't go too fast because the boy just ahead of them was going really slow. They even had to stop for a bit and Presley got to pick a flower.

Jam packed.

We all had so much fun this weekend! Well, Chris was out of town (and missed his 39th birthday) but the rest of us had a great time. Becka and Krista were both in town and we tried to fit everything into 3 days.

• Dinner in Park City with all the girls in the family
• New hairdo for Krista
• Bombay House and Cafe Rio (apparently there is no Mexican food in NC)
• Photoshoots (view the finished products here in a few days)
• Lots of time with family

Photoshoots for everyone--Stella, Presley, Lincoln, even my mom's house and Brad's ex-girlfriend got their time in front of Krista's camera.

Here's what it looked like for Krista . . . notice the new hair cut.



Becka and Krista got a bit too much sun as we watched Presley play in the water.



It is no fun to say goodbye! Until next time!

Thankfully we still have Becka and Linc in town the whole week.

Ready.

So, this weekend we are finally supposed to have spring-like weather and then next week the weather report starts off with temperatures in the 90's! It is about time and we are all ready (even Chris who loves the winter).

Here is what the last 3 months have looked like. 2 days ago we were at the park playing. Hanging on the monkey bars and going down the slides.

Then yesterday (yes, June 11th) it snowed for about 3 hours in the morning. Nothing accumulated but it was cold enough to bring in the flowers, turn the heat on, and light the fireplace! It is hard to see but it really was snowing.

Tomorrow Krista is coming and she is bringing the warm, sunny weather with her! We are going to take advantage of the weather and her visit by trying to squeeze in all kinds of fun!

While Stella is Sleeping.

We have to find lots of things to do to keep Presley occupied during the day--if not we end up with fits and whining and lots of trips to "the mat" (P calls it the map as not to confuse it with uncle Matt).

Today while Stella slept (which she does a lot of during the day and not so much of at night) Presley and I made cookies and quesadillas! Yes I know they don't really 'go' together but it is what we had the ingredients for and they both sounded good to me (strangely enough, I crave all kinds of foods while I am nursing rather than while I am pregnant).

We had to eat some of the dough to make sure the batter turned out right (thanks Camille for the Mrs.Fields recipe).

Presley ate her quesadilla with mango salsa and sour cream--I got the last of the spicy guacamole with mine. Stella didn't move a muscle as we spent the early afternoon cooking!

Announcement.

So, this isn't going to be much of a surprise for any of you when you get this in the mail . . . Here is a picture of Stella's birth announcement!

I will be getting these out in the next little bit! Much quicker than with Presley--I didn't get out an announcement until she was about 4 months old! Thank you again to Krista for making my pictures look great and putting together the announcement.

Smells like heaven!

A new baby just smells so good! Especially after a bath and a good rub down with baby lotion. Stella got her first official bath (rather than a sponge bath) at home this morning and though it doesn't look like she had too much fun Presley and I had a good time bathing her.



Presley was so excited and kept asking if she could touch Stella--it was so cute to see her want to help (I think she was really interested in seeing Stella naked and playing with the bubbles).

Sleeping soundly.

It is amazing and wonderful how much a newborn sleeps! Stella is always so peaceful when she is asleep--it is a different story when it is just past time to eat and I am running a bit behind.

Stella is starting to look different to me. I think it is in her cheeks--they are starting to fill in a bit. And although her hair is still dark, I can see it getting a little lighter (sorry Kari). Presley and Stella look like sisters--same eyes (though Stella's will be brown, I am pretty sure), lips, and nose--I can see a few differences too. They have different chins, eyebrows, and belly buttons. Presley's is an outie and Stella's is an innie.

More time outside . . .

Well, the weather was cooperating for a couple of days--and then the rain came--but thankfully things started clearing up this afternoon and we can go outside again. All this rain and cooler weather has produced a green spring! Presley has enjoyed picking all the daffodils for grandma and accidentally picking all the other flowers in people's yards (before I could stop her).

Roxy loves being outside too!

Sitting on the rocks in the front yard.

Smelling the lilacs.

Double rainbows!

Blossoms on one of my favorite trees in the neighborhood.

Beans!

We purchased a bucket of pinto beans from an emergency essentials store this week and put them into the sandbox! Presley can spend HOURS playing on the deck with the beans--we try not to spill them too much but we have found beans in the house as well as in the pockets of Presley's pants when I have changed her into her pajamas. As long as the birds and squirrels stay out of the beans we should be ok.

Definitely cleaner than sand! The picnic table has come in handy for a few lunches out on the deck. All we need now is a real patio set for the adults and we can all spend time together outside enjoying the view.

Lady Baby Stella.

Every time Presley is asked what her new little sister's name is she responds with "Lady Baby Stella". I suppose that will have to be her 'official' name. Here are a few pictures of Chris holding Stella with Presley helping out.

We love kisses!

My sister Becka was in town for a couple of days this weekend. Her boy, Lincoln, is now 3 1/2 months old and I can't believe how BIG he seems. Stella weighed in at 6 pounds 9 ounces at her 2 week check up on Friday and she had grown an inch! All to soon she will be 'big' as well--for now she is still in the preemie outfits grandma bought.



This is a shot of all the cousins/sisters/grand kids. From left to right: Stella 2 weeks, Lincoln 3 1/2 months, Presley 2.

Outside.

With the weather finally getting better (although quite windy lately) we have been spending time outdoors. Presley helped me pick out flowers for the front porch on our trip into Salt Lake last week--she even picked out a pink geranium by her self that we planted together. She loves to help me water the flowers (anything involving water is fun for her).

Chris kindly screwed in the plant hangers (they look slightly crooked to me but after measuring they are indeed even) and with no replanting the petunias were hung up and looking good! I still need to find time to pick up a few more plants to pot and put out on the back deck.

The other thing Presley loves to do is sweep and play with all the dirty things in the garage. Here is a picture of her proudly sitting with the plunger (gross, I know) which she carried all around the yard skipping and laughing.

Who knew you could have so much fun with junk in the garage!