Baby Blessing Cake.

This is a cake for my friend Ali and her new baby Ella.  Happy to make this special day a sweet day too with a cake!

First Grade.

I don't know what to say . . . Presley is in first grade and I can't believe how the time is flying by.  Of course she was up early and ready to get to school--she loves school, her friends, and her teacher.

Presley learned to tie her shoes this summer--new shoes!

"I {heart} school"

Couldn't wait to get on the bus.

We are getting used to homework every night, eating lunches at school, and making new friends.

Summer "Stay-cation".

We waited too long to plan a big trip, and to be honest we wanted to save money--so this year for Chris's 2-week break before school started, we stayed home and did lots of local day trips as our vacation.  Here are the things we did . . .


Camping in the Uintas.

Camping near Sundance.

Float trip on the Provo River.

Grandma and Grandpa came on our float trip.

Boat and tube on the lake.

13th Anniversary.

A fun night out with Grandma and Grandpa.

Alpine slides.

We had fun sticking around this summer!  We also went to Lagoon for the first time (the girls got their money's worth on their favorite ride OdySea).  Watch out next summer--I am in a planning mood and I am thinking Florida with my sister, a Dinsney cruise, and Europe again {can I convince Chris the girls are ready?}.

Another One Gone.

Presley lost her other front tooth!

Good thing we got family pictures taken last month.  It is going to be tricky for her to eat anything for a while--pretty cute though!

BFF.

Presley and Makayla.  That is all I have to say--they love each other, they giggle, sing, make plans, and play together.  They have had the best year together.  Makayla is moving back to Atlanta and we will all MISS her terribly.

Best friends and nectarines.

Makayla came with us for the last session of swimming lessons.  We loved singing "Call Me Maybe" at the top of our lungs on the way down the canyon, swimming, school lunch, and spending time with Makayla before she left. {I took lots of Instagam pictures this summer--not great quatlity but a quick easy way to caputure the moment}

Strokes.

Along with all the fun at the pool, the girls also worked very hard in lessons and really improved their swimming skills.

Presley is trying to put her breathing and her stroke together.

Buns up.

They still prefer to be under the water--all the time. 

Water Girls.

My girls are happiest IN the water.  They could literally stay at the pool/beach/lake all day, everyday.  Heaven help us if we ever move to a place where that would be possible!  We spent the month of July at the pool--4 weeks of swimming lessons, lots of sunscreen, and some cute tanned buns.  Pretty much heaven for all of us!


Look at that form!

We spent lots of time on the diving board and Presley even tried {and LOVES} the high dive.

Always turning everything into a performance.

"Aaahhhh!" Stella looks scared but she loves it.

Making sure we are looking at her while she goes off the board.

That was the face she made--every time!

I am looking forward to next summer already--maybe we can take a mid year trip to someplace warm with water . . . hint, hint.

Portraits 2012.

Who would have thought?!  Krista came to town for a visit and Chris says. "We should do a family photo shoot.". Of course he didn't remember he said that on the night of the shoot--but the pictures turned out great.  Thanks Krista!

This is the one we got for the mantle.

This is the one everyone loved the most.

More Cake.

I have been baking more cakes--this time a bridal shower cake for a friend who was throwing a shower for a new bride.  I was happy to have someone who knew exactly what they wanted!  The wedding colors were yellow and teal so my friend requested lemon cake with a teal row of roses in the middle.

The cake was lemon with a tart lemon glaze and a lemon cream filling.  Despite some hesitation I ended up loving the topper I made--feathers, diamonds, and a little "I Do" sign.  I also added diamonds around the cake in random places.

More cakes coming up--a birthday cake, a red/white/blue cake for the 4th of July, and a baby blessing cake.  So far this year 11 rose cakes!  I love my rose cakes.

Camp.

Presley spent the third week of her summer vacation at ballet camp with her friend Makayla.  The girls spent their afternoons dancing--jazz, hip hop, ballet, lyrical, and some tumbling--and doing a few {messy} but fun crafts.

At the end of the week we had a new pair of tie-dyed socks and a mini-performance showing us the dance moves they had learned.  Love my little ballerina!