Starting Preschool.

Stella had her first official day of preschool today!  She already knows her teacher and was so excited to have Miss Tonia as her teacher this year (Presley had her last year, and I LOVE her).  We got ready for the big day with pictures, pancakes, and a little one on one time with mom before preschool started.
 

Grrr. Ready to go!

Silly faces.

 

Ready, set, GO!

Swinging from the railing--something we did a lot of last year while we waited to pick up Presley.

She could not sit still--sitting forward, backward, chair on her head.

Thank goodness we played a bean-bag game.

Can't believe my baby is this big!

For about 2 hours, twice a week I will have a little time to myself--clean, maybe go to a class at the gym, make dinners--I can't wait to see what I can get done . . . I am going to miss having Stella with me everywhere I go!

Kindergarten.

Presley started Kindergarten this morning!  After last week's placement tests and orientation, we were up early and excited to get on the bus.  Even Stella was up early for her "meet the teacher" for preschool (her first day of preschool is Thursday).  We were ready in plenty of time to get a few {ok about 100} pictures of Presley's first day.  She picked out her own clothes and backpack (and even made her bed this morning!).

Presley posing next to the tree that we always take first day of school pictures--to see how much she and the tree have grown from year to year.

Look at those eyes!

No more of those serious poses--she is ready to go!

As the bus rolls up to the bus stop--nervous, but going for it!

One foot on the bus and she never looks back.

A bit surprised to see me at school (we followed the bus) but I needed to walk her into where the kindergartners meet.

Ready to get to class.

Stella was the only one who cried a few tears (I had my camera to distract me).  She was a little confused about the bus and desperately wanted to know where Presley was--it was a bit much for Stella.  On the other hand, I don't think Presley thought twice about it--in fact after lunch today she told me school wasn't as long as she thought it would be (this girl needs an all-day program!).

Here are some of the things Presley told me about her first day of school:

• She liked gym class and the parachute
• She loved doing crafts (coloring a bear poem)
• She sits at the green table in class
• Her teacher is Mrs. Kohler
• On the bus she sat with Holly on the way to school and Payton on the way home
• She thought the bus was "Pretty neat!"

Creative Movement.

Stella is finally in a dance class! She has waited for this for a LONG time and she couldn't be happier. Stella loves her ballet slippers and pink ballet outfit, and most of all she loves her teacher Miss Trisha.

Looking in on class through the the dirty window.  That is Stella in the middle.

Trying out some one-legged moves.

About as flexible as I am--she has to bend her knees to touch her toes.

Stretching out.

Look at me!

I love watching Stella take instruction from her teacher and do all her ballet moves (this week they did a curtsy and some other ballet things that I have no idea what the proper names are--though in Presley's class she told me they did "Sautes, which is just the French word for jump mom").

Bye bye.

You were here for just over two weeks (plus an extra un-planned day, no thanks to Delta) and we miss you and the boys!  Thanks for all the photos, ice cream, and fun!

This was before the flight delay--the boys were so done and ready to get home.

Presley giving Elliott some love.

Jonas and Elliott are getting so big--I can't believe it.

Family.

It has been 2 years since our last family photo shoot, and with Krista in town we had to take advantage of her skills.  Here are some of our favorites of us at Sundance.

We can't go to Sundance without getting suckers for the girls--Presley likes rainbow watermelon best, but had strawberry cream, Stella always gets green apple.  Thanks Krista!  I will let you know when she is back in town for those of you who want pictures of your families.

Ice Cream.

Move over Ben & Jerry's, my sister and I have been busy coming up with yummy, homemade ice creams--and they do not disappoint!  Our first was a re-creation of Krista's pina colada, then a traditional chocolate brownie, and my favorite a coconut caramel cookie--oh my goodness, these were good!  And we even gave them official names.

We used the Alton Brown custard ice cream base recipe (my sister has it on her blog) and then just added yummy ingredients.  More caloric than Thanksgiving dinner!

Chocolate Brownie Chip.

Coconut Caramel Cookie Crunch.

I am not going to lie, the scale and my treadmill are going to hate me now--especially after I get done making a birthday cake for a friend's daughter's birthday later this week.  Maybe a sugar detox is going to be needed when school starts.

Outside.

The weather is AMAZING right now--and to top it off my sister is in town with her boys!  We spent the day shopping and out to lunch, then outside in grandma's backyard with water tables, a little swimming pool, and otter pops!

Otter pop number 2.

Presley's favorite thing to say when you are taking her picture, "I am a pretty, pretty princess!".

So much fun--too bad Krista's boys are so into everything that they practically run in opposite directions the whole time!  What a workout for her.

5 Weeks.

With all the traveling, it has been 5 weeks since Chris has spent more than a couple of hours with the girls.  And the girls were definitely missing their daddy.  So this weekend Chris packed us all up and took us to the mountains (well more into the mountains than we already are) for some quality camping time.

I love how well Presley sleeps--anywhere!  These were taken just as the girls woke up, but before we braved to cold morning.

With all the new excitement, this little bug had trouble settling down for the night.  But not as bad as Roxy, who just couldn't get comfortable all night.

Everyone did well.  Cheese dogs and chips for dinner with s'mores for dessert and pancakes for breakfast.  After camping we drove the long way home--over the mountains and through Salt Lake--with a stop at REI and Cabela's for much needed/updated camping gear.

Swimming Lessons.

This was our second summer of swimming lessons, and with all the traveling we were only able to get in one session.  Next year we will need to do at least two sessions.  My girls of course loved the water!

Stella with her teacher Scott.

Presley perfecting her back float with her teacher Travis (we finally learned his name on the last day!).

She could not be happier than when she is at the pool.

Stella working on her glide (rocket!).

Presley loves jumping off the diving board.  After a few failed (belly flops) attempts to dive off, we decided to stick with jumping.  She can do a great kneeling dive of the edge of the pool.

I love bringing the girls to this pool--thank you Carl and Susan!  I am as tan as I have been in a while--one week at the beach, two weeks in Europe, and another week at the pool for swimming lessons.  It sure feels like summer!  One month left--we are filling it up with camping, a visit from my sister and her boys, and getting ready for school.

Souvenirs.

Welcome home!  I sure missed these two (and Roxy too).  It was so wonderful that my parents could watch them for so long.

The girls in their carnival masks from Venice, Italy.  We are so happy to be home--Presley was so over come, she cried as she hugged us.  What a wonderful welcome home.  Now back to the grind--swimming lessons, Chris traveling (more) for work, friends . . . .