Word.

Stella is now a talker! Well, she has said her first word anyway. And it is

"Uh-oh"

Stella will say it just for fun but she will also purposely drop something just to say it too. Not only did she say her first word yesterday, but this morning she climbed her first stairs (only one week after taking a tumble down them).

Easter in Photos.

Picture overload . . . candy overload too.

Party time!

Presley was barely convinced to take a nap this afternoon--but I promised her that when she woke up we would finally have her birthday party. About 30 minutes after she woke up family started coming over and Presley was so excited she stood by the door to welcome each and every person as they came.

Here are some highlights. Hello Kitty cake pops and decorations, lemon-glazed cake with grandpa's raspberry ice cream, pink balloons, singing, and lots of presents (always too many).



This gift was a big hit. Disney Princess miniatures with several dresses--thank you Amber, your gifts are always a hit (P still sleeps with Lisa Marie from her 1st birthday).


A "working" sink from grandpa Carl and Mor mor. An outside toy to be used as soon as the weather turns a bit nicer (along with the kite from uncle Paul and aunt Ali). I remember April being a more spring-like month . . .


A Nemo accessory for Presley's Crocs--Camille and Gregg searched high and low for a Hello Kitty jibbitz but couldn't find one, good thing she loves Finding Nemo!


Mor mor (Chris's mom Susan) with Roxy.


Stella didn't want to be left out. She loved the balloons, wrapping paper scraps, and promptly tried to eat the sink instructions.


Ali with Stella--Aren't they both too cute?!?!


94 year old grandma Jo decided holding Cuddle was better than trying to hold a squirmy Stella.


And I know it is overkill, but I had to include more pictures of the Hello Kitty cake pops and Presley (she wouldn't stop asking to eat them ALL day, of course I let her--she must have eaten 5!).



We missed everyone who couldn't make it. I wish I would have taken a photo of Presley while we sang to her--she just beamed and couldn't stop smiling.

Up all night.

In preparation for Presley's birthday party tomorrow, I was up all night making these. If you couldn't guess, Presley is having a Hello Kitty party.




Not quite as good as Bakerella , but not to shabby. Fully edible. I blame Krista for the idea and the late night mess . . . next year we are getting a sheet cake from Costco. Good thing Krista is coming out in May and can make Stella's cake!

Last snow?

Please let it be!



We couldn't pass up this mornings dusting of snow for a hopefully LAST chance to play. We all suited up and I got a few (the only ones) pictures of Stella playing in the snow. I need to get up a few shots of the family at Sundance . . . . we are ready for the warmer, greener weather!

3rd.

This has been a BIG year for Presley. She has:

• Moved into a big girl room
• Welcomed her sister to our family
• Potty trained
• Hiked a mountain (on dad's back)
• Continued to be a "talker"
• Discovered the park is FUN (no more sitting on the picnic blanket with mom)
• Gone skiing twice--once a failure, once almost a success
• Stayed at home with dad for a week
• Had surgery
• Perhaps given up her nap
• Seen her first (and now 4th) movie in the theatre

Presley is a sweetheart and we have loved, and continue to love every moment with her! Happy third birthday!

Meet Cuddle.

Here is the finished product . . . bows, shoes, and Hello Kitty birthday outfit (appropriate because on Saturday Presley's birthday party will be Hello Kitty themed). All picked by Presley from an enormous sea of stuffed animals, clothing options, and accessories (they even had panties, which we skipped).

Cuddle has hardly left Presley's side--she talks to her, hugs her, kisses her, and even has her eat dinner with us.

Build A Bear.

Presley has been asking, for what seems like months, to go to Build-a-Bear. So, for part of her "birthday week" we took her to Build-a-Bear with grandma and grandpa yesterday. Presley was a little sleeping, having fallen asleep on the way down the canyon, but by the end she had perked up and was pretty excited.


Presley knew exactly what she wanted--a pink bear (which she has named Cuddle), with a Hello Kitty outfit and pink shoes. Cuddle now goes with us everywhere and Presley couldn't be happier about the whole thing.

Don't you love her cheesy, squinty, fake smile? What's next for the "birthday week", maybe a movie, time at the park, and a big party on Saturday with family. Tomorrow is Presley's actual birthday.

Arrived.

After ordering this 2 weeks ago, it was finally shipped to my local REI and I picked it up yesterday (thank you big membership discount!). Will this get me out of the house with the girls???


As soon as everyone is healthy . . . I plan on using this a bunch! I currently have the jogging attachment, but I think Chris will be getting the biking attachement for his birthday--the girls are going to love all the free rides!

New and improved.

This is a long time in coming, but we have been super busy and super sick--yuck. These are the promised BEFORE and AFTER pictures of Presley's belly button.



Presley has healed up nicely and was very happy when the bandages came off. "I DO have a belly button!" was the first thing she said.