First Day of School

1st Day of School - isn't she gorgeous?

Spy Cam on first day from Eric's phone

Traditional 1st day of school picture next to the refrigerator

More of Eric's spy cam on the 1st Day 

Eric couldn't resist taking a picture of her teacher (who is a hit with the kids, btw) but everyone told us that he looks like Santa Claus, and they were right

Brynn, Greta and Ella

longtime pals

KINDERGARTEN!!!!

Andrea, our other great neighbor, brought over a book about the first day of kindergarten as a gift, and read it to her - amazing!

Yes!  Olivia and Noah, from church, are in the same class and if that's not good enough, they get to sit by each other!  Kindergarten is looking good this year!

spy cam through the windows

Walking home after the first day.  What a fun day.  We'll see how it goes, but lots of luck so far!

Summer Part 2

Bible Camp

Swim Lessons

Tennis Lesson for Ella - super fun!

Swimming, dinner and birthday parties with cousins at Grandma Nan's house!

Ailish is so cute!

Can you believe these lakes are a few minutes from our home?  Our sweet neighbors belong to the "lake country club" and let us go one day.  They have all kind of things to jump from.

Princess Dance Camp one last year!

A Saturday morning sleep-in

More parks and museums with the little ones!

San Francisco Overnight

Anna made a video of our SF trip

and here are a few pictures too!

Golden Gate Park

Academy of Sciences

Look at the fish Colton!

Whoa, this is intense

Oh boy

More Golden Gate Park

Pizza and CD's in Eric's favorite neighborhood

Finally at the hotel

We tried giving a "blessing bag" Ella got to make in primary to a new street friend - learned to bring a few more next time and that they'd rather have money than hand sanitizer, but felt good to try

Ahhhh. we have 3 more of these pictures at all the hearts at Union Square

top floor Macy's Cheesecake Factory with gift certificate - the best!
Anna made a video on the whole trip.  These kids...how do they do it?  They are such techies.

LIndsay and Kassidy -our great neighbors!

Grrrrrrrr...we love Kass and Linds!

When will they be here?

That's the famous question, waiting for Kassidy and Lindsay to arrive!

YW

Alright, here are a couple of pictures from Anna moving up to Young Women in church.

Her Sunday School teacher is so gorgeous, it's amazing.  And she has a heart of gold to match.  Her teachers and all of her primary leaders have been so attentive and sweet to Anna all of these years in primary.

She and her husband swap baby-sitting with us.  One day I'll get picture of her son Elliot and Colton.  They are such adorable little friends.

Anna's own words about moving up from primary:
"I have really enjoyed going to Primary since I was 3 years old.  All my teachers were so nice and taught me to pray to Heavenly Father and to love Jesus Christ.  They also did lots of fun activities with me and gave me good treats.  I enjoyed raising my hand and saying the prayer!

I will miss Activity Days and singing and sharing times, too.  I enjoy singing and learning all of the awesome church songs.  My favorite song to sing is Love One Another.

My favorite Article of Faith is number 6.  I know Jesus loves me and am happy he gave me a fun and loving family."

This was printed in the Ward Primary Newsletter and I have to include these awesome quotes that we're just below it by Elder Uchdorf:

"The perfect place to begin is exactly were you are right now."

"Try and keep on trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible and that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you."

"What you create doesn't have to be perfect.  Who cares if the eggs are greasy or if the toast is burned.  Don't let the fear of failure discourage you."

"Forget not to be Patient with yourself.
Forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a bad sacrifice.
Forget not to be happy now.
Forget not the why of the gospel.
Forget not that the Lord loves you."

These are great quotes for me, and great quotes for all of us as we try new and hard things!

Anna just switched to her first club team.  Instead of winning easily and scoring a bunch of goals, they lost 3 games, 3-0, 9-0, 1-0.

You can do it Anna.  It will be fun to watch her get her bearings and grow on this new team!  Such fun and nice girls, just a little more competitive!

Here is a picture of her new YW teacher, sweet Jayna!  Another gorgeous model type, sheesh, with another heart of gold and huge love for her class.