GREAT AIM

Stella is amazing with a bow and arrow. My mom bought a play set a couple of years ago hoping that one of her granddaughters would turn into Katniss from The Hunger Games. Stella really took to it and just got better and better. My mom got her her very own set for her birthday. Keeping in mind that I cannot now nor have I ever been able to shoot a bow and arrow unless by complete luck...I find my daughter impressive as usual. The faces that she makes when she is setting up the arrow and her perfect form when she shoots meant that I had to take some pictures. I took so many pictures trying to catch the arrows in the air but they flew by so fast that I only caught one of them.

I guess Brent and I will have to concede that our daughter is good at at least one sport. At least this particular sport doesn't involve knocking down your opponents (only shooting them in the heart...well now, that does sound a bit harsh maybe).

Later that night I was charmed with how Brent and Stella were both sitting on the couch eating apples in the same position. Cuties.

MAN ALIVE! SHE CAN'T BE FIVE!

As Stella grows up it becomes increasingly difficult for me to put into words how extraordinary I think she is. She is such a great person. She is kind and thoughtful. She is smart with an amazing memory and knack for directions. She is talented with a beautiful voice and a love of the stage. Plus she is lovely, with stunning blue eyes, kissy cheeks (that I'm not allowed to kiss), and a bright, happy smile.

Stella wanted a Minnie Mouse birthday party, which made sense since she is all about Minnie these days. We had an enjoyable day together on her birthday getting ready for her party. It was just us making cupcakes and frosting them (Stella put all the Minnie Mouse decorations on the cakes herself), putting up the decorations,  and cleaning to get ready for "mine, not Mommy's" guests.

She had a great time at her party and got some wonderful gifts. She is especially excited about her new American Girl doll that Grammy and Papa got her, and keeps saying this morning that she can't believe that she has an American Girl doll and talks about how beautiful it is. She also got a bike from Brent and I that because of my laziness was not at all a surprise. She was with me when we bought it--I know, lame of me. See, I wanted her to pick one out and check what size we would need. When the bike she chose was on sale and there was talk of there being only one in stock, I decided just to buy it with her with me. She did however love knowing about it all week and loved thinking about the moment that she would finally get her new bike.

Stella is so fun to buy gifts for because she is so sweet about receiving them. She is always happy about her toys and loves them very much. I suppose she might be spoiled, but thankfully not spoiled rotten.

Five years can sure fly by, folks, especially when you have by your side the most delightful person you could ever imagine. That has been my life since she joined our family in 2008. I love my Stella Marie!

THE NEWTON BAPTISM AND MORE

About a month ago we got a call from my cousin Monica letting us know that she and her husband Shawn were getting baptized. Mom and I were so excited and happy to hear the unexpected news. So we planned to go to Phoenix for the event happening on June 8th. 

Stella and I flew down a day early so that we could be on a flight with room for us, and mom got the last seat on the plane the following day. Then Saturday we drove down to Casa Grande for the baptism. It was a really lovely little service. Mom spoke on baptism and did a really good job. It was obvious she was emotional, but she was able to deliver her message no problem. 

The next morning we got up and ready to go to church for the confirmation. It was a great day at church. I felt a very happy and peaceful feeling throughout the whole day. I am so happy for Monica and Shawn and what this choice means for their family. And I felt so blessed to be there and to be a part of it.

We stayed a few more days in Phoenix. Can I just tell you how much I freaking love the desert? I especially love going out after dark and having it still be hot. I don't know, it suits me. We stayed at our favorite Hyatt hotel. Stella and I got up for breakfast every morning and we went swimming of course. The pool was always quiet during the day because it was too hot for most mortals. Note: Stella's name for her princess school on the other side of the pool? Curtsy & Beyond.

We also had fun going shopping of course and spending too much money. We had planned to go home on Friday but woke up to full flights. The car rental place thankfully needed cars in Utah so we were able to drive there without the $200 charge. The drive to and from Phoenix though is a bear of a drive and I had sworn that I would never do it again. Still, we decided it was the best option to get us home. We made the long drive mostly in silence, having little music on hand, but sadly/happily discovered the XM radio stations late in the drive. When we got home at about midnight, I was totally exhausted.

WATER & A ROOF

Last night, after a busy dance-recital day, lovely breakfast, and fun, fun, fun with the Gummows, we headed downtown to my parent's house. Heidi wanted a photo shoot of Cy before he gets his braces on and wanted them on the roof. So I made dinner there and then we took some pictures. Cy was the perfect model as usual.

Wyn wanted a picture too:

There were some puddles on the roof so what started out as a rousing game of splash in the puddles, turned into Dad getting brooms and having the kids sweep up the water to the drains, and then naturally the brooms then became a ride. Stella was the first to try and liked it best. Catcher and Wyn tried it a few times but didn't like it as much. I even gave it a try and raced Stella and lost...boo hoo. Cy was unable to participate because he was not allowed to ruin his clothes. It was really all too fun.