Time with Dad.

So the color on the mountains was beautiful, but the weather was down right chilly.  We ran around a bit to get warm and the girls played in the leaves.  Then after I went to the car to warm up, the girls went on a little adventure with their dad.

Nice face--after begging for Chris to put her up on the chair lift, Presley wasn't too thrilled about the height and swinging.

No smile, but looking directly at the camera--a rare thing for Stella.

Stella loves to be chased.  And caught.

A leaf arrangement made by the girls.

After what felt like forever (I had no idea what to do with my self in the peace and quiet) everyone came running back to the car--hands full of smores and hot chocolate!  Appearently they had gone to the near by hotel (Montage Deer Valley) and had been treated to roasting marshmallows (carmel and cinnamon flavored, very gormet), making smores, and drinking chocolate to warm up.

I didn't feel too left out--they brought some back for me.  Better yet, later that night Chris booked us a room at the hotel for my birthday weekend next week!  I am hoping they have more carmel marshmallow smores.  Mmmmmmm.

Fall Colors.

It has been an amazing Autumn this year--the colors are unbelievable, and unfortunately, almost over.  Which sadly means the snow and cold will be here soon.  Here are some pictures from the mountains in our back yard.

Gorgeous.  None of the pictures turned out good from the grove of fire orange aspens up Pine Canyon--they were amazing (you don't see orange aspens too often).

Necklaces.

The girls youth group I help out with at church made these necklaces for an activity.  Each girl got to choose a paper background, a sparkly initial, and a jewel.  Then we glued them all together and got this . . .

Stella hasn't been able to take hers off!  Presley picked a pink P and a cupcake background.  Fun and easy--I will have to get a picture of Presley's, because I am sure it won't be long before it is forgotten or lost.

Hall of Fame.

Chris's dad was inducted into the BYU Hall of Fame this last weekend.  He was honored at the football game at half time on the field {we also got to attend a yummy dinner before hand}.  This was Presley's first college football game {Stella went last year with dad} and my first game since my freshman year in college--lets just say it has been well over a decade.

We loved walking out with Carl to the field--Stella even got to be on the big screen with grandpa during the presentation.  I am sure this won't be our last game, one of the perks with Chris's new job was a set of season tickets, hopefully the girls enjoy football {or at least the food and cheerleaders}.

We are all very proud of Carl.  The following night there was a dinner and speeches for all the 2011 inductees.  It was amazing to hear all the accomplishments and stories about the athletes/coaches.  Congratulations on a continuing successful career Carl!

Yogurt.

The FROZEN kind, of course.  We must of eaten at Menchies at least 4 times while we were in St. George this weekend.  The kids loved it and we had some pretty interesting combinations of flavors and toppings.  And with the temperatures still in the upper 90's who is going to argue about "yogurt" for dinner???

Stella is partial to anything in the chocolate family.

Presley's favorite was cake batter with sprinkles--though this was chocolate with strawberries and marshmallows.

Cousin Lincoln with his sour gummy worm combo.

Grandma (mom)--thanks for all the yogurt!

Everyone finished every bite.

The worst combo {in my mind} had to be the chocolate with sour gummy worms---eewww!  And my mom loved the chocolate covered banana flavor {I could not even try that flavor}.

Carousel.

In the newly remodeled "old town" in St. George they have a carousel that the kids loved to ride.  Even though we were in St. George to take the girls to The Little Mermaid, which they loved, I think they really enjoyed running around the park, chasing each other, and riding the carousel.

The weather was perfect and we really loved spending time with family--hopefully we will be down next year to catch the production of Aladdin!

For the Birds.

Being a biologist, I love looking for interesting things in nature and explaining them to my girls.  On our short weekend trip to St. George {to visit Becka, Eric, and Linc} we saw a hawk sitting on the fence in the backyard.

Can you see the amazing red rock just over the fence?

At first we thought the hawk was injured, but after watching it for quite a while, we realized he was hunting!  He swooped down into the bushes and tried really hard to get one of the other little birds hopping around the yard.  All that energy expended and the hawk left hungry.

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").