You'll wish she was your sister (or aunt).

Most of you know my famously stylish sister, Leslie.
Well, she sent Miss Stella a package filled with the loveliest things--
like handmade wool felt shoes, leg warmers,
and a darling pillow that is almost bigger than Stella.
Of course all of the gifts were wrapped to perfection in beautiful paper.
Thanks, Les.
As you can plainly see, Stella loves her presents.

Oliver has a fat lip

and he really likes his "inja".

Don't tell Mabel she's pretty.

That is just too embarrassing.

Twins

If you want to know what Stella looks like, these pictures of Mabel will give you a really good idea. (Please ignore the fact that I look like I'm 12 in the first picture.)
Now I need to post a better picture of Stella, but trust me, they are twins.

With Her Eyes Open

This Is What We Do

We rest.

Stella in Profile

Stella Rose

7 lbs. 11 oz. To see pictures visit Mike's tumblelog

One Last Shot

photo courtesy of Mabel
(I think I was in the middle of telling her to move her finger out of the way.)

Stay tuned for pictures of the little miss on Friday!
Wish me luck!

We used to be so cool.

When Mike and I first got married, I drove a sporty little silver wagon. He drove a vintage scooter. We were totally cutting edge (granted, it didn't take much to be cutting edge in Provo), but we were definitely cool.

Now we drive this:












We're nerds. Smart, happy nerds.


I know a lot of people are opposed to mini vans. All I have to say is that I can open my car doors with the touch of a button. Boo-yah, suv lovers.

I have never been in labor.

That's right. I have born two children and am 1 week away from delivering my third, but I have no idea what labor (or even a contraction!) feels like. (I have c-sections thanks to Mabel's footling breech position 5 years ago.) So this morning when I woke up feeling "weird" and really "crampy" I thought that maybe today would be the day. I had a doctors appointment this morning, and just to be safe, I was packed and ready to go for a hospital stay.
Apparently, I am not in labor. Thank goodness.
We still have a car to buy, I have a sharing time to teach, a house that needs a good cleaning, and various other miscellaneous things to do before Miss Stella can make her grand entrance in 7 days. Having the baby now would just be a bit inconvenient. However, if she decides that she is ready, I will be ready, too.

I am keeping that bag packed.

Pumpkin Bars

1 cup flour, sifted
1/2 cup oatmeal, quick rolled
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups pumpkin
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 (13 oz.) can evaporated milk
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cloves

Mix flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, and butter until crumbly on low speed. Press into a 9x13 pan. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
Mix the rest of the ingredients and pour onto cooked crust. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Topping
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
whipped cream

Mix pecans, brown sugar, and butter together. Sprinkle over the pumpkin. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pumpkin is set. Cool in pan. Top with whipped cream.

from Bobbie Shelley of the Three Fountains Ward

I made these yummy treats today. I like them because they have a pretty substantial crust. I didn't use pecans in the topping, since Mabel is allergic to tree nuts (and we don't really like nuts in general at our house), but I think they would add a nice crunch. I just realized, though, that while all of these pumpkin treats are good, they are really just substitutes for the ultimate treat-- Marie Callender's pumpkin pie. They are good, but they aren't the pie.

Blondie

Why can't my hair just grow out of my head this color?
Is that really so much to ask?

Thanks for making me blond again, Liesel.
Now I can have this baby.
(only 9 more days!)

This is Julianne.

She is my sister.
Today she turns 23.
She lives in Oxford, England,
where she is studying to get her Masters degree in African Studies.
When she is done, she plans on making the world a better place.
As you can see, besides being completely brilliant,
she is really beautiful and also has fantastic style.
She has a blog, and lucky for you, it's no longer private.
Happy birthday, Jooj!












You can read more about her here.

Cuteness at Tumblelog

Mike started a new blog.
I know what you're all thinking,
"Mike never even posts on his first blog."
Well, you're right.

But if you want to see something cute, and other funny or clever things, go here.