Costumes!

So, I am not sure how I ended up with a copy of the photos Krista took (just the Halloween ones), but I did. Here are my corrected versions of Krista's photos of the girls in their costumes.



Thanks Krista, they are of course darling! If you wanted to send me better corrected images to post they are 0031 and 0045--thanks!

Halloween Day.

This will be a first of several Halloween inspired posts--I love the holiday for the candy, the dressing up, and the change of seasons.

This morning we started the day with dressing up for music class with Miss Kristi. Stella has the same lady bug costume and will wear it trick-or-treating. For now Stella is a mummy (complete with gauze bow, not pictured)--Presley thinks Stella is a mommy.


Presley was a little unsure about wearing her costume and seeing all the other kids in their costumes. By the time we finished class and wandered through the grocery store to purchase candy for tonight's festivities, I had a tough time getting her out of her costume for her nap--she is even sleeping with her new pet spider-ring.

Spooky Train.

Yesterday my friend Shauni invited all of us to a "Spooky Train" ride that a local family has set up in their yard every Halloween. We had no idea what to expect but when we got there you could tell this was no small event! The train runs through several properties and is a permanent fixture (during Christmas they have the Polar Express version running) and the event has quite a large staff of dressed up kids.



The whole experience was fun for me but a little too spooky for Presley. Thank goodness Shauni's husband Jeremy was there and held Presley while the train made its way through the tunnels and spooky scenery (Stella was in my arms--I should have left her with Chris). Good thing it was still light outside!

Jack-O-Lantern.

We had our very first pumpkin carving on Monday and I thought Presley would love it. Rather, she kept peeking over daddy's shoulder to see what was going on with the pumpkin.

Finally Presley decided to help out (because she thought the pumpkin smelled good--she has been in to 'smells' lately). Daddy ended up doing most of the work. Here is what we ended up with!




We ate dinner with this jack-o-lantern as our center piece--complete with glowing candle and dimmed lights.

Cereal.

Stella got her first taste of something new! That yummy looking white paste known as rice cereal . . . mmmmmmmmmm.


She is not sure what to think about the new food but I am sure in time she will grow to love it--along with all those other yummy, pureed baby foods!

Spa day.

With Chris starting his winter travel (TX this weekend), the girls and I had a spa day. We all spent the afternoon getting Presley (and aunt Camille) glitter toes. I have tried (and so has my mom) to paint Presley's toes--it is harder than it looks! She is squirmy and wants to touch the polish before it dries, making it impossible to get a professional looking pedicure.





This girl was amazing--Presley sat perfectly still during the entire process (which included a dremel tool, several layers of polish and glitter, and a drying light). The finished product is pretty cute if you like PINK glitter! I am more of a non-sparkly nail polish kinda gal.

32nd.

Yes, today was my 32nd birthday. Thank you for all the birthday wishes, phone calls, emails, meals, and CAKE!


If you can't tell I love chocolate (although as a kid I always asked for an apple and a cherry pie instead of cake on my birthday). Presley was pretty excited that moms too could have birthdays.

PS--if you are interested, check out all of our new family photos here!

Almost there!

Stella is being a bit slow with the rolling over milestone--but that's ok! Last week she finally discovered her toes and can now practically pull her toes up and so far over to the side that she is just about ready to roll over.



These are the new curtains for Stella's room! I got the rod and finials at the same time I got Presley's (the bronze was being discontinued and the price was right) and this weekend at the PB Kids friends & family day I picked up these silk, striped curtains for only 30% of the original cost! Thanks Camille for the extra "trade" discount and the company.


Luckily Chris wasn't too tired after a 3 day biking trip with the scouts so he gladly hung them up as soon as he got home.

Likes.

Presley likes. . .

Leaves (she collects them everywhere we go).

The outdoors (as long as it is not wind-ing).

Jumping from the ottoman to the couch.

And Stella (I love the morning hair!).

Portraits.

We took LOTS of pictures and I don't expect to see all of the final results for a while (well, sooner than later I hope). But here are a couple pictures of the girls from this last week with Krista in town.

Presley is getting less cooperative and Krista has to get what shots she can in about 15 minutes--I am always surprised how many good pictures she can get. Krista takes school photos for a bunch of the private schools in Charlotte and she says 2 and 3 year olds are the worst. 4 year olds and babies are the best to work with.


Stella is not much of a smiler--especially in photos but we managed to capture a couple. We sure had fun dressing her up! I love the 'leg warmers' and I am reminded of the ones I used to own (back in the '80's--light pink & blue striped--and yes, they matched my leotard).


I am so excited to see the family portraits--with each new addition it is harder to take a good photo; there are just too many opportunities to mess up. I am sure Krista will work her magic and I will post the results--perhaps one will be worthy of that BIG family portrait I would like hanging in the living room.

Whirlwind.

The last week has been a whirlwind of activity! First, Krista's flight was delayed going to ALT so she missed the connecting flight to SLC--she had to stay the night in Atlanta and didn't make it here until Saturday.

I can't even write about all we did--we thought a week would be a nice length for her stay but we would have all been happier with a 2 week visit! Lots of photo shoots (pics to come--family, halloween costumes, girl's portraits), a few good meals, shopping, and lots of driving around (which made for good catch-up conversation).



Presley didn't want to let Krista go! Stella didn't know what was going on but we all hope she will grow up knowing who her aunt Krista is.


Krista and I are looking more and more alike . . . I never noticed that we have the EXACT same eye color (the hair is pretty close too).


We will miss Krista and can't wait for Christmas when she and Matt will be out to visit! Unfortunately, I just got a phone call from Krista and it looks like her flight from SLC to ALT is delayed meaning she will miss her connecting flight again! Everyone cross your fingers she gets home in time for a wedding she is photographing tomorrow at noon. I need to file an official complaint with Delta for getting rid of the direct flight they once had--how am I going to make it to Charlotte with a baby and a toddler AND a layover???

Early Christmas.

This year we drew names for the gift exchange early--and we also drew names for 2009! I have posted a list of 'who has who' (or is it whom) on the bottom left-hand side of this blog. In order not to confuse anyone, I will not post the 2009 list until the new year. If you are dying to know who you have next year just email me and I will send you the list.


Happy shopping and remember the limit is $50. Give me a few ideas of what you might like Krista . . .

Last bit of Fall.

Last weekend Mount Timpanogos got snow--and it is still there. We got a lot of rain and a nice stay at home, cuddle in blankets, kind of weekend. This weekend it is supposed to snow again and this time the temperature is supposed to be cold enough that we will get snow at our house. So much for the fall family photos . . . we will make something work--Krista is flying in on Friday for the WHOLE week!


A family friend offered to take Chris and Presley fishing last week. They had the best time! I needed the break and set out on a mission to buy fall and winter clothes for the girls (I am almost done; but really, when are you ever done buying clothes for growing babies and cute little girls?).

Strawberry Reservoir, not too cold, and lots of fish! (Jordan, Jim, and Jim's father in law with Presley on the boat)




I love all the fall colors--they definitely went quickly this year.