Stella Mae

One year ago today Stella came into our lives. I cannot believe she is ONE! She is a little ray of sunshine and we are so grateful to have her. We have begun to understand the scripture that advises us to "become as little children" by watching her. Her unconditional love and trust are inspiration for us to try a little harder. I have to admit I have been a bit of a mess today. Tears have come on and off while I have been thinking about the past year (surprisingly NOT about the many sleep deprived nights :) . I could have never imagined the love that I feel for Stella. It is a different love than I have ever known. These pictures are of that special day last year and the few days afterward! All of our love to our little Stella!

I'll Explain...

Somehow while messing around on the computer I found the fart button (to the left in case you missed it...hard to do)! I totally think this kind of thing is hilarious. My family has never been the kind to ignore bodily functions...we always just laughed. Dan's family is the complete opposite. He didn't even think girls were capable of this until...drum roll...he met me. We were trying to decide if this was totally inappropriate or funny. We want to know what you think. Be honest...if it offends you and keeps you from looking at our blog I'll take it off. Otherwise I bet you press this thing more than once...we have already had some good laughs. It could really be entertaining while using a laptop in a quiet place.

Girlfriends!

I just have been thinking about my girlfriends from high school. I think everyone would agree that friends are a major influence on the path you take in life. I am forever grateful for my friends and the path we started on together. I am so proud of the women they have become. I love to look back and remember all the crazy fun things we did. Here's to all my fellow CHUBBIES!

A Haunted Halloween...

Actually our Halloween wasn't haunted at all...it was fun to introduce Stella to all of the festivities though. We went to our ward Trunk-or-Treat. Stella wasn't too thrilled about the giant gingerbread man that was there. She shed a few tears over that but did okay the rest of the night. That all occurred on the 30th. On Halloween night we hung out at home...carved pumpkins, and gave out candy to the kids around the neighborhood. I figured hey why not take advantage of being able to do that while I can. I am sure next year Stella will be a full blown trick-or-treater herself! We hope everybody else had a great Halloween!


Shawni was a Spider, Stella was a peppermint, and Dan was a Sheriff.




No worries people...we just gave her a few licks!

Baby Elephant

Okay so one last exciting thing about our trip to San Diego...the baby elephant. I know this is weird but for those of you who don't know I LOVE BABY ELEPHANTS. I can't explain..its just one of those things. So to add to an already great trip the Wild Animal Park had a baby elephant born on Sept 19th. I was in heaven watching the little one doing all its baby things. In my other life I wish I were an elephant trainer. I know so quirky. Just a little insight to the craziness of Shawni Chappell. Here is a terrible video of the baby with its mom...

San Diego Family Fun

Thanks in part to a conference Dan had in San Diego we took a little family trip. We were able to stay FIVE days...one of the benefits Dan gets in attending a Jewish school are lots of holidays! We got passes to Sea World, San Diego Zoo, and the Wild Animal Park. What a fun filled week. Stella seemed to like it...her favorite parts were the flamingos, penguins, the sky ride, and the hotel room. She even touched a sting ray...which she thought was okay until she got splashed. You can see her clinging to Dan in some of the pictures after the splashing incident. The best way to get all these pics on here was to do slide shows...so hang in there through all of them. We had the best time just being together and acting like kids...getting our faces painted, eating junk 24/7, and screaming just before getting soaked at Sea World. Sometimes its nice to act like you have nothing to worry about except what fun thing you want to do next.

Who Does Stella Look Like?

Since Stella was born we have been trying to figure out who she looks like. We think she is a pretty good mix. The poor thing did get my ears...too bad...sorry Stella! Maybe this meter thingy answers the question. What do you guys think?

Heads Up

I am taking a class from the University of Utah this semester about Community and Consumer Policy. This video was part of a lecture and I thought I would share it with you. It is some pretty eye open info about the "back-up" devices being put on cars now.

Walking Stella!

OK well she isn't actually walking, but I am sure after some practice with this toy it won't be long. Then I am really in for it. Stella is so much fun and is changing with each day. Hopefully this video will make Bama, Nana, and Grandpa Paul & Grandma Jo feel like we live close to home still.




P.S. Mom pause the music at the very bottom of the page before you see the video :)

Let the Memory Live Again...

I decided to join the rest of you and put some tunes on our blog. I actually had lots of fun putting different songs on our crazy playlist. I know there are some weird songs on there but they all remind me of people, places, and times in my life that I have cherished. That is one of my favorite things about music...it can bring back good memories. Here is to all of those memories...lots of which I have made with you! Thanks :)

I just wanted to give a shout out to my SWEETHEART. On the 25th we celebrated our sixth anniversary. Dan surprised me with a night out to see a Vegas show and dinner. He even arranged for a babysitter. What a catch! I am so lucky to have had six years of such thoughtfulness and fun. Love you Babe!
.........................Dan and Me in Mazatlan 2002........................

School Starts Yet Again

Dan just started his second year of medical school...WAHOO. Honestly, I was suprised at how fast the first year went...so hopefully that will happen this year. We have made lots of friends here and went to a gathering to celebrate the new year. It was fun to catch up with them and how their summers went.

Mt. Charleston

Our little family LOVES to camp. Everyone is always shocked to learn that I, miss high maintenance, likes to rough it. I am a complex lady. There is a beautiful place about an hour north of Las Vegas we like to go. We have already been a couple of times since we have been back. It is a good way to get out of the heat!! Stella really likes it and even sleeps well. We just throw her travel crib in the tent (next to our huge blow up mattress, ok so roughing it might not be completely true!) and she is good to go. Here are a bunch of pictures from our last trip.

Dumb and Dumber...

Does anyone else feel like pregnancy and motherhood has drastically declined your IQ? I swear ever since little Stella was the size of a jellybean, I have been gradually getting dumber. Dan will attest to this!! While I was checking up on all of you through your blogs, I noticed that the new banner I put on mine reads Chappell: celebating the moments in life. I just want to clarify that Dan and I are not changing to a celibate lifestyle (although at times this doesn't seem like a bad idea;) Honestly it was just a mommy-can't-think-for-herself-anymore moment. I hope I am not the only one with these motherhood side effects! Let me know.

Stella's #1 Toy Pick Is...

Ok, so we have bought lots of fun bright toys for Stella. Why is it then, that she always seems to go for things that are not necessarily meant to be toys?!? Little ones are so funny, right? Here is the proof to prove my point.

Lake Mead #2

Lake Mead

Thanks to some of our dear friends here in Vegas, we were able to get out of the house and go to the lake. It is literally 30 minutes from our door. I was a little worried about how Stella would do...but she loved it. I can already tell she has a go anywhere and try anything personality. This will probably haunt me a few years down the road. Yikes! Dan got to wakeboard and tube. Stella swam and took a nap. I got some much needed sun.

Families Can Be Together Forever...

These are our first family photos since Stella was born. As I went through them I was thinking how grateful I am that Dan and Stella are mine forever. What could be better than that!

BUSY!

Wow...it has been awhile since I have posted. We have been so busy the last month that this hasn't been on my list of things to do. Stella and I have been in Utah since May so I could take classes at the University of Utah. Dan joined up with us after a grueling week of finals and moving us into our new condo. We were finally able to buy a tiny condo in Henderson. Although it is tiny we are so excited and blessed for the oppurtunity to own. The last month has been challenging but full of amazing blessings. Here are some pictures of a few of the fun things we have been able to do while in Salt Lake...







Welcome to UTAH Daddy!











Playing with cousins in Idaho




















Stella's REAL first visit to Hogle Zoo (see prior post about baby's first trip to the zoo)!

Family

In the 8 months that we have been in Las Vegas, we have been blessed with the chance to have lots of family and friends visit. I am so glad because Dan and I love having people come...it makes this whole medical school experience bearable. These are pics from a few of these visits!

Bliss

Dan and I never got great wedding pictures (long story)...so last spring we pulled out the dress and tux and did it all over again. I am really grateful we did because now I have some I like. Some of them still need touching up but I thought it was time to share our second attempt at capturing our love in pictures.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

True Love...

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

This is just an example of my digital scrapbooking. I wanted to post it to give those of you who I am pushing to get into it an idea of how awesome it is.

Is this Normal?

Stella is one crazy child...we discovered that she likes to be upside down while watching conference. Dan was holding her and she tipped her head back. She stayed that way for a minute or so...then she wouldn't stop doing it. Now every time I nurse her she takes little breaks to hang her head upside down. Our little clown baby!

Technically Challenged

Okay so I have been trying for a couple of days to get my little "Celebrating the moments of your life" thing on our blog. I don't know what is wrong with me but it took forever. It is still screwed up as you can see. I have seen some really cute blogs...and was just trying to be cute too. I guess I am not going to be though!! I thought I would share my attempt at it for a few days before I switch the blog back to where it was.

Jumperoo

Toys, toys, and more toys. It is so hard to NOT buy your kids everything. Even when you are on the income of a medical student!! This video is pretty funny...Stella is a hoot and we love her to death!

OLD NAVY!!

Old Navy...two words that Dan is afraid of. I forced him into coming with me to get Stella a few new things for summer. A few turned into a new wardrobe!! The clothes are just too cute to resist. These pictures are of our darling looking so precious in her new duds.

Future Choco-holic

While Mom made cookies in the kitchen Stella had a great time with the chocolate chip bag. Maybe this is a sign of things to come. Stella may have inherited her Dad's gene for a sweet tooth...that would match her sweet disposition!!

Red Rock Canyon

Photo and video editing at onetruemedia.com

Grandma Chappell came to visit so we took her out to Red Rock Canyon. It was such a beautiful day! We are so thankful to live in such an amazing area

Baby Bumbo

This is a video of Stella in her new little seat. She looks so funny in it. She loves to play with her toys and look at her book. We love her so much!!

Sunshine

Now that it is getting to be warm...especially in Vegas...I decided to get Stella a sun hat. We've got to make sure that beautiful face doesn't get burned.