Gifts From Aunt Carla

My Sister Carla sent the kids each a gift a couple of weeks back. I didn't tell them about it and they were so excited when this big box arrived. I kept the box in the living room and told them we'd open it in the morning. So the next day we took out the one for Ava and we all got to enjoy playing blocks until it was time for school. Then in the evening, we took out the second gift, a fishing game for Thomas. The kids went crazy and we spent a good hour or two trying to catch all the fish in the game over and over again. The game comes with little fishing poles and the fish pop out of the 'water' with their mouths open.

But the biggest surprise came for Ameya the next day when she came home from school. The other kids were taking naps so it was just the two of us. Since this is really something just for her, we sat on the sofa and opened the last gift, a leap pad with two stories books. This is an awesome gift for Ameya as she really enjoys playing on computer type toys and she loves reading and this is both.

Thank you for the fun gift - Carla!

Family Home Evening

For those of you that may not know - Family Home Evening (FHE) is something that is encouraged by our church and that we love to do. You pick one night a week, usually Monday and get together as a family. You normally have an opening and closing prayer with some singing, a shot gospel lesson followed by an activity and then treats. Our kids love it as we all spend time together and it helps strengthen us as a family.


So last Monday for FHE, we got to spend some time with Friends from our old church ward. There was a group getting together for a pot luck dinner at their local park and we were able to join.


The kids had a great time running around afterwards on the park playground. It does make us miss our old area and we keep debating if we should move back over there. We're waiting until the spring to see what the market will be doing and know that will help us decide what we're doing.

Soccer Begins

Ameya's is back to soccer for the fall season. Her first game was this past Saturday and she had a great time. She is playing with Lexi and it is nice to see how the girls confidences has grown from their last soccer round.


This is the first time they are playing outside and the weather was awesome for their game. I'm not sure we'll be so lucky for the October games but I'm loving it now.

A Walk Home

I wanted to share what a great experience I just had picking up Ameya from school. Usually I take Ameya and Lexi to school and Lexi's Mom picks up the girls. Today we switched and I was scheduled to pick the girls up. Well on Thursday, school is out early, at 1:20pm. I take lunch from 1:00pm to 2:00pm so I walked up with the stroller. It is beautiful today and I love getting outside when I can.

Ok, so the great part. I picked up Ameya and Lexi from class and started walking back with them. I ran into 3 friends from church picking up their kids and then before I knew it, we were surrounded by lots of other kids walking home in our direction. We saw neighbor cats sitting on their porch in their own cat beds (so cute) and one came over to say hello - you know I was in heaven. And then we walked home on this beautiful day surrounded by lots of kids telling me about their day. Ameya and Lexi were holding hands and chatting away. Everyone was so happy and full of energy and the sun was shinning and I thought this is a great moment.

A Slip n Slide Day

The warm weather is coming to a end as Fall days are fast approaching but we did get some play time in.


We brought out the Slip N Slide and the kids had a great time. Scott would pick them up and then give them a push down the slide. I forgot how much fun a slip n slide can be for kids. They loved it and would go back and forth between playing on it and jumping into our little kiddie pool. It was a great day

The Dancing Princess

Ameya's dance classes have started back up. She has moved up to the Kinderdance and tap class. The first part of the class the group does tap movements and the second half, they do dance.


She loves it and of course, since Lexi is there with her, even the better. Lexi is right behind her and they both have matching purple outfits.

Ameya's First Day of Kindergarten

Ameya started Kindergarten a few weeks back. She was so excited to go. I was asked to go on a business trip this same week but was lucky enough to postpone the trip by a couple of days, so I could be here on her first day of kindergarten and at her new school.


The kids all line up outside the classroom and wait for the teacher to come outside and get them. I carpool with Lexi's mom next door, so Ameya and Lexi come and go together as well as sit next to each other during school. I think they love all the time they get to spend together. It is so great to have this wonderful family living right next door to us.


So after all the mature, serious big girl posing for pictures was done, the silly and fun five year old reappeared.