City Creek

We went to visit Thad's old work buddies at the capitol building, and stopped in to say hi to Auntie Caroline before heading to City Creek, the new mall across from the temple in SLC. The girls had an absolute blast in the splash area and the dinosaur play area, and I enjoyed H & M and Tiffany's.

More Sewing fun

These look better (brighter) in real life than in the picture. I made these out of a bed sheet I found at Saver's for $ .99. I even learned how to open the neck and put a button in on Tessa's (the first time we tried it on her head got stuck in it). The girls love them- Score!

Fun at the cousins

We celebrated Kota's 2nd birthday and his daddy Keith's graduation on Sunday. The girls had a great time with their cousins, but it was relly cute to see them playing together as well.

Skating Queens

 About once every time around, Tessa would have to take a little time-out to clear the ice off of her tiny skates.

 Siena spent most of her time in this position, but she still enjoyed it :)

I took the girls ice skating with my friend Jen who was visiting from WA. They had these cool walker things that the girls could use on the ice to not fall down... so much (mostly in Siena's case). Tessa kept pumping those little legs (hard to believe they had skates in her tiny size!) so she kept afloat. In fact after the second time around, Tessa pushed my hands off her walker ( I was holding her hands onto it, just a s a precaution), as if to say, "Hey mom, get your own ride!", which was justified, since she was pretty much pumping me around the rink all on her own. The girls had a great time. We'll have to go again soon!

Teacher Appreciation

Siena has AWESOME preschool teachers! So we made up little gift baskets (beach buckets with goodies in them) according to their likes-- beef jerky and chocolate covered cookie dough treats for the one who likes steak and cookie dough, etc. with a balloon attached that says "Today is your day!" The best part was the little notes that Siena wrote to them, i.e.
"Dear Mrs Linda, I just love you so so much! You are the best teacher ever! Bye. Siena."
"Dean Mrs. Shaunell, I just love you too. Thank you too for helping the kids. Bye. Siena"
"Dear Mrs. Jennie, Thank you for helping the kids so the little bus can come. Love, Siena."
"Dear Mrs. Sara, I love you. Here's a little picture I drawed for you. It's a little crazy, but that's ok. Bye. Siena"

All twisted up

The girls and I had a fabulous time making sourdough pretzels (from my own sourdough start). We had even more fun eating them!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

It was Grandpa John's birthday today. Tessa picked out a balloon, and Siena picked out these silly glasses (which Tessa promptly broke one she got ahold of them). In the meanwhile, everyone had to try them out, and we had a fun time with them. I got him Nutella (as Siena announced as he started to open it, "It's Nutella!" I think he still liked it. Thad made his wonderful salmon and I made my yummy Brussels sprouts. (Don't believe Brussels can be yummy? Stop by for some next time and I'll make you a believer!) HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDPA JOHN!!!

The Graduate

We are so proud of you babe!

The Graduating Family

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Siena

Tessinha

We took family pics for Thad's graduation a couple weeks ago and got individuals of the girls, so I thought I would publish them in separate posts.

Goodbye Poppy

Yesterday, we said goodbye to Thad's grandpa, "Poppy." He was a wonderful man and grandfather to Thad and I. He accepted me as part of the family from Day 1, and always made me feel welcome and accepted. At the burial services, Siena picked dandelions and placed them on the coffin. Thad's mother gave each woman at the funeral a rose to remember Poppy by. Siena also gave her rose to Poppy and placed it on her coffin. Even after I explained she could keep it, she said she just wanted to give it to Poppy. So sweet! She also visited the grave of another little child and sang to the headstone. It was a really sweet experience. It was awesome, they did a 21 gun salute, since Poppy had served in the military. Then they presented the flag to Thad's mom. What comfort the gospel brings us, to know that we will see him and be together again one day! Goodbye Poppy, we love you!