Hello Summer.

This is where we are meant to be during the summer . . .

We love the water!  So happy that my mom and dad moved to a place with a clubhouse and pool (and only 5 minutes away).

Fort.

We spent the Memorial Day holiday weekend building the girls a fort in the little bit of forest in our backyard.  It is not fancy but I love it and the girls have already spent lots of time pretending and playing in the fort.

Since I took these pictures we have finished the ladder and stained the wood.  Now for a canvas roof and to let the trees fill in the rest--it is nearly completely hidden and blends in perfectly with the forest. Thanks for making this happen Chris!

Goodbye Sunshine Circle.

We've had the girls at Sunshine Circle for preschool and summer discovery for the last 3 years and with Stella moving on to Kindergarten in the fall, we are sad to say goodbye.  We have absolutely LOVED our teachers, classmates, and everything we have learned.

"Here Comes the Sun"

Thank you Miss Melissa and Miss Tonia (new and old teachers) for all the fun times and life lessons.  Thank goodness Stella still has the summer discovery to spend time with her teacher and preschool friends!

Second Star to the Right.

What a sparkly, beautiful, sweet "star"!

 

Swan.

Here is our solo-dancing swan.  So sweet.  So happy.  So feathery.

 

 

And so serious in this pose!

Spring Ballet.

This year the girls performed in Peter Pan for the Spring Ballet.  Stella was a swan and even had a solo at the end of her dance.  Presley danced as the "second star to the right".

They were both so lovely and really enjoyed their time on stage and in costume.

f-i-v-e!

Stella turned 5 and just like her sister she asked for a "surprise" birthday party . . . so even though it wasn't too much of a surprise, that is what she got!  I can't believe how much she has grown this year--we loved celebrating with our flirtatious, smiley, funny girl.

 

 

We surprised Stella at the park with decorations, family and friends.

Happy Mother's Day.

Mother's Day equals homemade lemon meringue pie for my mom!

Thanks for everything mom!

California.

Here were some of the non-volleyball, Instagram highlights of our quick trip to California.

We had such a fun time!  Let's go on vacation more often . . . please?

NCAA Finals.

Well, poor Stella's face says it all . . . despite the loss, the team (and Chris) had a great season, full of wins, a new travel schedule, and a trip to the finals (not to mention a fabulous conference playoff game beating UCLA in a packed, noisy gym at home).

This sweet girl was all teary eyed.

What a great experience for these two sisters!

We took an all girls trip to California to support Chris and the team--it was so nice to have my mom come with us and spend a few days sight seeing around LA.  BYU was so generous and helped to get our travel organized.  We went to Disneyland, Santa Monica Pier, The Grove, and drove around seeing the sights.  My only complaint would have to be that our hotel didn't have a pool--all my girls need to keep them occupied and worn out is a pool (they could literally spend 12 hours a day in the water).

A quick photo-op at Downtown Disney--all smiles!

s-e-v-e-n!

This little girl is growing up so fast--too fast and she's not so little any more.  We celebrated Presley's special day with family, a dessert of her choice, and a few fun presents.

We loved the low-key event and Presley had fun going out to lunch with her grandma Lynn and celebrating with her friends at school (her birthday usually happens during Spring Break, this year the break came early and she was so excited to go to school on her birthday).

Fun in the Sun.

Our Spring Break Week in Instagram photos . . . we could have stayed here for weeks.  My girls can't get enough of the sun and the pool.

With all the beautiful palm trees at the pool, it felt like we were in Hawaii.

What better than laying in the grass with your cousin? It was fun to stop in and see Lincoln and Ender (Becka and Eric too).

I loved the palm trees, the pina colada my mom bought me, and seeing my sister!  Oh and the smell of sunscreen and chlorine on my girls (not to mention their first little sun tans).  Las Vegas did not disappoint!

Mudroom Remodel.

Love how this little project turned out!  A big thanks to my hubby for helping with the demolition and stacking the washer and dryer (and for the funding) and to my dad for helping me move around a couple of light switches.

Now to get organized with all these new cupboards and drawers!  No more pegs with 20 coats/snow pants/backpacks hanging all over the place!

Easter Dresses.

I suppose it is "tradition" to get dressed up for Easter . . . mostly it just feels good to put on something pretty and celebrate this beautiful time of year.

 

We can't take photos without letting a few "funny faces" pictures sneak in . . . Happy Easter!

Egg Hunt.

This year we celebrated Easter with a delicious brunch and Chris's family--complete with our only girl cousins/nieces and an egg hunt.  It was a beautiful, sunny, and warm Spring morning.  The food and company was great and all the girls loved the festivities.


Sister hugs!

Guinevere decides she really likes Easter and the candy.

The most random Easter Bunny I've seen . . . almost creepy?

Highlight for Presley was finding an egg with a $1 bill inside.  I was just happy for the sun--much needed after winter.

Ski Day.

It was time for the girls to have someone else teach them to ski . . . my back and patience just couldn't handle it any more.  Lucky for us it turned out to be a beautiful, sunny day!

The girls LOVED their lessons and I really think it helped splitting them up and letting them go on their own.  Stella was a flirt with her instructor and was fast friends with the other little girl in her class (I am hoping for an email from her instructor of the two girls holding hands while they were skiing down the mountain).  Presley needs a bit more strength and confidence, but she did great and I couldn't believe there weren't any tears or complaints!  A few more Wednesday afternoons of lessons before the season is over and hopefully the girls will be skiing a bit better.

More Love.

Or KISSES.  I think these two are happy to be sisters!

Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours . . .

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Ballerina Sisters.

Love these two beautiful, fun, happy girls!

Snowflake Serenade.

Stella danced the Snowflake Serenade for the Christmas ballet this year.  She and her class were darling as "snowflakes" and even as they get used to being on stage and performing, we still get a few "Hi Grandma's" during the performance (my mom thought it was so sweet when Stella gave her a shout out).

Stella and her buddy Tabitha.

I don't think I will ever get the Snowflake Serenade out of my head--we keep singing it over and over again!