An Apple A Day....

Mia & Merek had their first dentist appointment today with their new dentist, Dr. Smith.  This was actually Merek's first time seeing the dentist and I had a feeling that he would want nothing to do with having his mouth looked at.  Mia went first and was a champ.  All the while, Merek clung to my leg knowing that in just moments it was going to be his turn too.  Well as luck would have it, Dr. Smith came over, asked Merek to jump in the chair and he willingly got in the chair and did everything he was asked. I'm happy to report that there were no cavities! And after going to such a fun office, I have a feeling they are going to be begging to go back to see the dentist.

Orange Tigers

It's that time of year again....soccer mania!  Last Spring was Mia's first soccer experience and let's just say, it was not the best experience (for all involved).  She absolutely LOVED going to the practices, but did not love game time.  Finally, after the last game of the season she said to me, "soccer is my favorite."  So, here we are again for round two and she is having a blast.  I think the fact that her BFF, London, is on her team makes it that much better.  Go Orange Tigers!!!

3-Months-Old and Chubbilicious

Where is time going?  How can this sweet face be 3 months already?  I am so in love with these chubby little cheeks and marshmallow  arms.  It's no wonder she sleeps through the night....this girl is well fed and always so content.  I love that she is smiling a lot more and starting to coo.  She melts my heart.

Marinn Sophia Rosenvall

Today Marinn was given a name and a blessing in the Butterfield Stage Ward in Temecula.  Each of our kid's blessings have been so special and I am so grateful for the opportunity that each one has been given their own individualized blessing.  It was such a beautiful day spent with family and good friends. 
As you may or may not know, we have chosen not to give our girls a middle name.  I don't have a middle name and I have never really missed having one.  When we named Marinn, it just seemed like there was something missing.  As Bryan and I discussed it (literally the night before the blessing), he mentioned that he feels like she should have a middle name. It's crazy how the name Sophia popped into my head, for no other reason than I just really liked the name.  We both felt that it was the right fit.  So, as Bryan gave her a name and a blessing, he gave her the name Marinn Sophia Rosenvall.  That is the first time either of our families had heard the name and after the blessing, Bryan's dad told us that Bryan has a great, great, great grandmother named Sophia.  Well, there you have it.
I love the tradition of our girls all wearing the same blessing dress.  In fact, all of my nieces on my side of the family have worn this dress. P.S. I LOVE my family

Kindergarten Orientation

The day has come that we have all been anxiously awaiting....The first day of Kindergarten.  Mia has been looking forward to this day for a LONG time.  She had such a great experience in preschool and had such an amazing teacher, Miss Michelle (who we already miss), who prepared and pepped her students up for kindergarten.  I'm so excited to have Mia in school.  I don't love the fact that she is growing up so fast, though. She has such an enthusiasm for learning and it's been so fun to see how passionate she is about school. 
Today, I got to go with Mia to kindergarten orientation and got to meet her teacher, Mrs. Rollins, see her new classroom and also meet her classmates. I can already tell that it's going to be a fun year.

 We ran into our friends on the way to orientation.

 She's official

 Starting work already!

 Learning all about Kindergarten.

Hannah, London and Mia  - Preschool Pals

Silverlicious

One of Mia's favorite books is Silverlicious and it's about how Pinkalicious loses a tooth, not just any tooth - but her sweet tooth! Suddenly candy no longer tastes sweet! With her pinkatastic pen, Pinkalicious writes a note to the Tooth Fairy and tucks it under her pillow... only to hear from Cupid, the Easter Bunny, and a Christmas elf instead. It is not until the Tooth Fairy finally responds—and works some magic—that Pinkalicious discovers where sweetness really comes from.  Anyway, ever since she got this book, she has been obsessed with losing a tooth.  On many occasions, she will ask me to feel one of her teeth and ask if it's wiggly yet.

While we were in Utah, she bit into an apple and noticed that one of her bottom teeth was loose.  She kept wiggling it and wiggling it and it finally came out while we were camping.  She decided to wait until she got home to put it under her pillow, just to be sure that the she wouldn't miss the Tooth Fairy.  Well, that Tooth Fairy never disappoints and put under her pillow $1 and 3 silver coins (quarters) as requested.  Score!!

Sunday S'mores

We just purchased this fire pit and had to try it out.  What better way to break it in than roasting marshmallows and whipping up S'mores.  The weather at night has been so nice lately and so it's actually been cool enough to enjoy being outside.  I love it, but in a way it's just a sign that summer is coming to an end.

5th Annual Apple Fest 5k/10k

Another year has zoomed by and I'm happy to announce the 5th Annual Apple Fest on Saturday, September 15 in Fillmore, UT.  We look forward to this every year and we are so excited for another fun event.  In past years, we've had activities on Friday and Saturday.  This year Apple Fest will just be held on Saturday beginning with the 5k/10k at 8:00 am (registration at: www.applefest.us).  You'll want to arrive early to see the hot air balloon launch.  Following the race, participants and spectators can feast on an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast {Breakfast is included for the racers; $5 for spectators and others}.

You'll want to stick around for other Apple Fest activities including: Apple pressing, hay wagon rides, zip line and concessions.  At 4:00 pm we'll be firing up the grill for the very popular dutch oven dinner (tickets for dinner can be purchased at: www.applefest.us). Also back by popular demand is live entertainment performed by the local band, Switchback.

We feel so grateful for the wonderful support for Apple Fest the past few years.  This is an open event and ALL are invited to attend. We look forward to another fun and successful year. See you there!!!

All proceeds from Apple Fest will benefit the Kate Rosenvall Foundation, which helps families with sick or terminally ill children.

So This is What 1-Year-Old Looks Like....

My sister-in-law, Kirstin {kirstinroper.com}, snapped these fabulous photos while we were in Utah.  LOVE them!!

They Say it's Your Birthday!!!

 The BIG day has arrived!  Since we already {kinda} celebrated Merek's birthday on Sunday, today he had a fun time opening up gifts from Grandma & Grandpa Roper, Grandma and & Grandpa Rosenvall, Mom & Dad and Mia.

 The highlight for Merek was definitely the smash cake {or in other words......smashing the cake}!

 Can you tell he's a little excited?

 Loves from his sissy.

 He had more fun digging his feet into it.

 Can you tell?

 He definitely did a number to the cake.....

 .....with a little help from his sister! WOW!

  Happy Birthday Mr. Man!!

Pre-Birthday Celebration!

How is it that my baby is turning 1-year-old already?  This is so cliche to say, but it really just seems like  yesterday that Merek graced us with his presence.  Our lives have been so blessed having him in our family.  He is such a sweet, happy-go-lucky, chill baby boy.  When I had my ultrasound and found out that we would be having a boy, we were ecstatic! Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine having a little boy {following 2 sweet girls} would be as much fun as it is.  Feeling so blessed.  Happy birthday to my handsome lover dover doo doo!

We celebrated his birthday a little early today with some of our friends.  

Cutest little 1-year-old! 

 Merek had some really good helpers to help him open his presents.

  Tyler & Wynnie

 McCall & Mia...besties

 Cute little Lyv & Ryn

 The Stolks

 Kaitlyn & Mia

 The Stinson's

 Debbie Deb & Parker Face

Happy 6th Birthday Kate!!

My heart is so full today as I reflect upon this special day.  Six years ago, our lives changed forever.  I often think about what our lives would be like if Kate was still with us.  Would we be preparing to send her to kindergarten?  What would she look like?  Would she still have a lot of health issues? I miss her more now than the day we said goodbye.  Although the sting of missing her is not as intense, there is not a day that goes by that I don't long to snuggle with her, kiss her and love on her.  I have no doubt in my mind where she is; that she is doing marvelous work.  She is ours.  We will see her again.  I am so grateful for this knowledge of the Plan of Salvation.  Having Kate has made me a better {imperfect} person.  I desire to be a better mother, a better wife, daughter and friend.  I am grateful to be a mom.  There truly is no greater calling.  I look forward to seeing Kate again, but until then.....we will celebrate! 

Every year on Kate's birthday, we make a cake.  This year Mia made the request to make a "castle" cake.  I have to laugh because she LOVES watching YouTube clips of baking shows {she's a girl after her mother's heart}.  She found a tutorial on how to make a castle cake and so we gave it a whirl.

Cute little Mia Stewart!!

The finished product!!

My cute little family

Every year we let off balloons; 1 balloon for each year she would be.  We were unable to let off balloons this year due to a worldwide helium shortage.  I know....it sounds silly, but it's true.  We went to who knows how many places to see if we could get some helium balloons with no such luck.