STELLA SAYS

Just like every adorable 3 year old, Stella says some pretty cute things. I often end up just posting her hilarious moments on Facebook, but thought I should also document a few of them here since this becomes my blog book and permanent family journal. Here are some recent favorite Stellaisms:

• Stella: "Mom, we are going to be together forever." Me, thinking I have raised a spiritual child: "Yes baby, we are!" Stella: "Just like the Care Bears!"
• Stella, holding a white crayon: "Mom, this one isn't working!"
• After Ava saying "No way" to Ashley: "Ava, don't say 'no way' to your mama!"
• Stella's stand on cannibalism: "Mommy, we don't eat people. It is not nice."
• "I love to bear my testimony, Daddy. It helps me."
• "Mom, who is this?" Me: "Winnie the Pooh." Stella, surprised: "The poop?

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This is what Stella wore the night her Aunt Kathy was set apart. I took a few quick pictures because I thought she looked so sweet.

PARK CITY

Brent and I don't go very many places just the two of us. Brent has a strong anti-travel stance that I have gotten used to. However, sometimes I find a deal online that includes free food, and if I find a deal like that Brent is usually game. I found this deal to go up to Park City for a couple of days, and it was so awesome it just couldn't be passed up! When we checked into our hotel they told us that we had one of the best rooms in their small boutique hotel. When they took us to the top of the hotel and I saw our giant two bedroom suite I believed them. In fact, when you look at the picture of the hotel, that is our room right at the very tippy top. It was kind of a quirky place to stay and on top of giving us the best room we actually got a real key to our room.

The first night we were there we headed into Park City proper for dinner and walked around. We made sure to get pictures by the new Bansky graffiti art. (Someone mentioned it had been put up just that morning.) Brent and I watched a movie about Bansky a while ago, and we are both big fans. It was hard to get a good picture though because no one really noticed the art until we started trying to take pictures and then all of the sudden everyone was trying to take their own pictures.

The rest of the weekend we mostly spent getting caught up on our shows and I went shopping of course. Our second night we had a freaking huge dinner. Overall a great time was had by both of the adult Sallays.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Tyler is getting married 11.11.11!

Brent to Stella: "Are you excited that Ty-Ty is getting married?" Stella: "To Courtney!" And I think Tyler's face says it all. Courtney makes him super happy and I am excited to have another sister-in-law. Congratulations, Tyler and Courtney!

CHIPMUNKS LOVE CHIPS

Today we had plans with Natalie and I felt like going up to the canyon. So we bought Subway and headed up to Brighton. We had lunch first, which we mostly spent with Stella freaking out because all of the chipmunks were after her and her lunch. She thought they were super cute until they came after her chips!

Then we walked around. I told Stella that we would feed the ducks. We even brought bread to do it, but then we couldn't find any ducks. We couldn't hear them either. So Stella was feeling pretty sad when all of the sudden we heard distant quacking and there they were. Stella was totally thrilled. She fed the ducks happily, and they ate her bread with equal enthusiasm. I was very impressed when Stella shared the little remaining bread she had with a little girl who wanted to feed the ducks too. She did it without being asked, and I thought it was so sweet.

Overall, we had a nice time walking around and enjoying nature, and had a really fun time catching up with Natalie.

SUNDAY MORNING

"Mommy, we're snuggling!"

BRENT + BROWNIES + NUTS = OLDER

Brent had a birthday yesterday. Now he is older than me for a few short months again. Stella and I took balloons and lunch to his work to celebrate. Then in the evening we had dinner at my parents' house. I made turtle brownies which Brent loves and I don't like because I think brownies are allergic to nuts. It was a nice day and I think Brent felt special.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: STELLA SALLAY

The artist at work in her studio.

Introducing the newest artist on the preschool art scene, Stella Sallay. Miss Sallay has just recently added acrylic paintings to her already wide portfolio of creative work. Her mother, Michelle Sallay, believes that this is Stella's most important work so far, and now believes that Stella is ready for her pieces to be displayed on the fridge and sent to her Aunt Kathy to be proudly displayed at the MTC gallery of fine preschool art.

When recently asked in a home video interview what medium Stella prefers, she told the interviewer (her mom) that she loved working with Play-Doh. However, Mom prefers the easy cleanup of paints, and loves that her brilliant daughter's work is now more permanent.

Stella's creations have simple themes. She seems to enjoy drawing her loved ones in an abstract manner. "This is Ava," she says as she paints another blob or line on her paper.

If you are interested in your own piece of artwork for your fridge or home gallery, please contact Stella and she will be happy to create a new and completely original masterpiece just for you.