A First Time for Everything

Well... yes as the saying goes "there is a first time for everything"... and that sure did ring true for us here in this month of August.

For starters... Mason enjoyed his first season (well session... 6 weeks) of soccer... and on his last day he scored his first goal!!!

Then... my wonderful husband and loving sister plotted to get me out of the house for AN ENTIRE WEEKEND for my birthday... it was a first weekend trip away from our children... EVER... we enjoyed it very much.

Friday evening we ventured off on four wheelers for a ride in the Sedona sunset... so fun, so beautiful.. and SO DIRTY...

The next day we enjoyed a wonderful couple's massage... and then headed out to explore beautiful, tranquil Sedona... (sorry no pictures of the massage :))

and I was surprised by the hotel with a plate of chocolate covered strawberries for my birthday!... and Justin was kind enough to capture a photo of me devouring the strawberries... or should I say ravaging the strawberries!?

It was so nice to get away... such a wonderful birthday weekend... and I can't wait for another weekend away!

... FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOL...

(yes in AZ we start early!!)

This year Gabby is attending two preschools, so that she is attending school 5 days a week in the morning to prepare her for the grueling schedule of all day kindergarten to start next year. (I am so sad... my baby girl is growing up too fast... this is my last year to have her "at home")

Here she is August 11th on her first day of Great Leaps Preschool!

(check out the fab dress she bought on our girls weekend in Scottsdale!)

and of course a first day of school for Kristina!!!

and on August 3rd Gabby started her preschool at Lifetime Fitness... of course Mason had to join in the on the candids as well!

and last but not least... a first time for Kristina to play the Wii with Gabby!

Kristina's Arrival... and of course her room!

Well... yes... to answer all of your questions, Kristina, our exchange student HAS arrived! She arrived late Saturday night. The past couple of days have been a lot of fun getting to know her, a few tears with a homesick young woman, and lots of learning from everyone as a whole! We couldn't be more thrilled to have Kristina with us. Tonight she made us a yummy German dinner... unfortunately I do not know the name, I will get that from Kristina and post it on my next blog.

Here are the long awaited pictures of the transformation from the playroom into KRISTINA'S ROOM!!!

her bed...



shelves, lamp above the bed



a cute poster I found with a great message


another poster, mirror and television

papazan chair, shelving, picture that Gabriella painted, along with a few of Kristina's pictures from back home...(she had to send us a photo album before she came of pictures of her, her family and friends, etc. so we could get to know her a bit better!)

a close up of the pictures!

her beautiful family on the beach... she misses them dearly

the other set of shelves and the picture Mason painted for Kristina's room, along with some important family photos

a faraway shot...

so... does the room still look like this you ask? OF COURSE NOT!! A teenager lives there now!! Now the shelves are filled with clothing and other various items. I am happy Kristina liked her room and is making herself at home. She is a wonderful addition to the family and we are thrilled to have her here...



Gabby and Mason waiting with our sign at the airport... waiting... waiting... waiting for Kristina to arrive!

She is here with us at last!!

already a true American teenager... on the phone with a friend she has made here for 45 minutes tonight!!!

I had to take that last picture for Kristina's parents. It warmed my heart to hear Kristina laugh the way she did and smile as she did while on the phone. The excitement was incredible. Kristina's first day here was very rough, with lots of tears. Monday and Tuesday have been much easier, but in the evenings she gets a little homesick. After becoming sad from an email from her younger sister, I was relieved when her new friend "Tami" called to welcome her to Buckeye, and invite her to lunch at school tomorrow!!! She hasn't met Tami face to face yet, however my dear friend Jennifer has put Tami and Kristina in contact with one another so that Kristina knows someone at her FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL TOMORROW!!! Even though they have yet to actually meet, I was amazed at the length of their phone conversation, and how happy Kristina was! So thank you Tami and Jennifer, you really made my day... and I know you made Kristina's day too!

until next time

peace and blessings to all

Gabriella's dance recital

Well... this is very overdue... and in fact I still have photos to send out to the grandparents, but here are some pictures of Gabriella's dance recital this past June. She was a duck in "Old MacDonald". The entire recital was awesome, and was of the "Wild Wild West" theme. I have to say I was very impressed. I look forward to what they do at the end of this year!

Right before the show...



a final bow



"Tada"


the three roses she got for her recital...

Thank you to Auntie Melanie, Brandon, Danielle, Brayden and Emma Sparks for all making the trip down to see Gabriella perform. It really meant a lot to all of us!