The damage.

Totals for the damage done during Thanksgiving:

• Pounds gained, 4 (by Chris--I stayed the same)
• 1 long, but fun car trip
• 1 damaged (and now repaired) book shelf, I still need to replace the books
• 2 poop accidents (Roxy didn't get enough attention)

We all survived. Needless to say the trip was a quick one but we really had a nice time seeing Becka, Eric, and Lincoln (who is now crawling)--not to mention the best turkey ever! Eric soaked the bird in a brine solution and buttermilk with herbs (very moist and flavorful).

We are thankful for ALL we have and for the family and friends we have to share our abundance with!

Sad news.

While traveling to St. George for the holiday weekend I received the news that my doctor of many years (and the doctor who saw me during both pregnancies) had passed away after a short battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).

His obituary can be read here. We will miss him.

6 months.

Stella had her 6 month check up yesterday and by all accounts and measurements she seems to be doing well. The best part about the appointment was that as soon as the doctor came in to start the exam Stella promptly rolled over from back to belly--for the 1st time ever! I know, she was just showing off but later that night she did it again 3 times (no rolling over today however).


Stats:

• Weight 14.0 pounds, 13.55%
• Head 16.25 inches, 17.22%
• Length 26.25 inches, 68.55%

Stella got a prescription for fluoridated vitamins along with 3 vaccinations and a flu shot. The rest of us walked out of the office slightly less-poked with only one flu shot each.

Fun in the car.

So, it took awhile and a bit of debate but after much searching and a great find by my mom, we are the owners of a portable dvd! Presley has always hated riding in the car, which is not very helpful when you live 40 minutes from anywhere (hopefully it will be helpful for our upcoming Thanksgiving trip and future ventures).




Nice features include a 13.5 hour battery-life (on lowest settings with headphones), AC and car DC adapters, 8.5 inch screen, and best of all a mounting bracket that straps around the headrest while it is folded flat! My mom found it on QVC (best price, I checked around). Last night's test ride was wonderful! We made a quick drive to town for a car wash and during the whole trip I didn't hear a peep from Presley and I listened to an entire CD, of my choice, without interruption!

New things.

We are trying a few new things at our house!


Stella in the Johnny Jump Up. She likes it and maybe it will help strengthen her legs--she is what my mom calls a 'floppy' baby, just like aunt Becka was.


Stella's new do. Her hair fits into a piggy tail but it is still pretty sparse.


Still trying to roll over! Will it ever happen? I guess it makes me worry less that she isn't rolling over in her sleep . . . although Presley slept on her stomach starting at about 3 months.

Impressions.

No, not the funny kind. Back on the last day of August I took the girls to get their hand and foot prints taken at the local craft fair (Swiss Days). Stella cried because the clay was cold. Presley couldn't wait for the sucker once she was done. I couldn't wait the nearly 2 months it took to get the prints back!




Now the impressions are up in the girl's rooms! Pretty cute if I do say so myself. I had seen the company at Swiss Days last year and was happy to see them here again this year. Maybe Roxy needs her prints done too!

Gear.

We all know Chris is a "gear" kinda guy. Now Presley is too! On Monday night--after hearing the prediction for snow--we headed to the outlets for winter coats, hats, and mittens.




We found some really good deals at the new Columbia outlet. $100 toddler coats (who can spend that much?) for $37.50! Cute hats too. Any idea for affordable boots?


I think we need to get Stella some winter bundlers that actually FIT her--Presley's old stuff is still just too big. I need to post a pic of my favorite winter gear--my furry hat Paul and Ali gave me last Christmas. This year I need some new boots--any suggenstions?

Snow Day.

This was yesterday . . .


I was hoping the landscaping crew was 'crazy' for putting up the snow markers so early. But . . .



This was early this morning (6:30 AM when Presley woke up)! And it is coming down even harder now!

Teething.

Can both of my girls be teething at the SAME time???


This is Presley's new 2 year old molar coming in on the bottom. No signs of any others yet. Stella has 2 little bottom teeth swelling up but not yet poking through. So far not too much complaining from either girl!

Portrait.

This is our family portrait for 2008--Krista took it, of course and we couldn't have picked a better day. For example if we we had picked today we would have had to suffer through rain, snow, and long lines at the polls.


Rather than struggle with a 2.5 year while finding a new "cool" location, we decided to stick close to home (mom's back yard) and again we couldn't have asked for a better spot. My sister has a theory about taking pics and it has been pretty true for us--her theory is that the first picture you take usually is the best.

Remind me next time to put a bow in Stella's hair.

Trick-or-Treat!

Normally we go to a friend's house for Halloween fun, but this year the drive and timing was just not going to work with two little ones. So, we did the church sponsored "trunk-or-treat". We ate warm chili to keep out the cooling, raining, breezy night and got LOTS of candy.


Daddy and Presley ready to get candy. Chris is a baseball player for the Oakland A's--yes he also is a Raiders fan.


Presley wondering if all the candy in her bucket is hers to keep--and EAT!


Stella helping mom hand out candy to trick-or-treaters. There were really some cute costumes on P's friends last night (ketchup & mustard, superhero complete with super-undies, pretty princess, and so many more).


Me and my girls. Unfortunately I didn't fit into my stand-by cheerleader costume from high school this year. I need to come up with another stand-by. I am already planning for next year!