Leahs Turns 8!

If I missed sending anyone in our Layton Ward an invite and you want to join us we would love to see you there.  Ms Leah and I had a great time getting her all done up and having a photo shoot. It was my first time using photo shop totally on my own to edit my pictures. Now I think I am addicted because they look way better than my normal photos. Good thing I need some more hobbies to keep myself busy up here in the winter.

 My favorite of the day for sure. I didn't use it on the announcement because there wasn't really a space to type on it. These were all taken in our yard which I love for all the flowers. I really have always dreamed of a yard full of daisies.

The actual day of the birthday. Eva thought up waking Leah up by spraying her with silly string. It was fun I will say that. And even funny Leah knew we were going to do it but was still surprised by in when woken out of her sleep.

Opening presents before we went to church. 

 The big surprise that Leah has wanted forever. A razor electric scooter. It has actually been lots of fun to ride around in the driveway.

Testing out the scooter. 

Finishing off the rest of the silly string. 

8 I really can't believe it.  

Leah with her baby. I don't know how I am going to go anywhere when Leah is in school. She is so wonderful with the baby. She sits right by her in the car and takes care of her every time we drive anywhere. The second the baby wakes up she wants her. In the past year Leah has grown up so much. She can talk your ear off but is really good company. We have been proud of how well she has handled the move. She already has a couple new friends and that is not easy to do where we are. Because kids are not that easy to find. She is so responsible I can hardly wait a few more years until she is legally old enough to leave home to babysit. And she is just as excited for that. We love Leah and can't imagine how dull this house would be without her.

Claire 4 Months

                                         

Claire at 4 months. She is doing some big girl things like sitting in her bumbo and exersacer, grabbing for her toys, having tummy time, sleeping in her crib, and making the cutest noises.  Luckily she quit crying in the car every time we go somewhere now it is just sometimes. We all adore this sweet thing.  

Martis Camp

Dave got us access to this private neighborhood call Martis Camp with amenities like you wouldn't believe. It was a great day full of adventure. They have a family barn that I was dying over the decorating in. Inside there was a pinball, pool, bowling, an art room, and much more.

Just a taste of the decorating there. Can we say better than any parade of homes I ever went to. The main lodge was so beautifully rustic. Leah said out loud, "this is heaven."

Indoor bowling alley with no wait and no stinky shoes. 

Me and the girls at lunch. I discovered these new baby packs out here call Ergo. I would highly recommend them over other brands. You can use them from the time your baby is tiny to when they are 3. The move from the front to your baby and side. I wore mine for 2 hours the other night and my back never hurt.  

The boys practicing their blue steel looks.

 The playground area I could have stayed here all day. They had volleyball, basketball, horseshoes, miniature golf for the kids, and this awesome patio area to sit in.

So funny Eva story from that day. We had told the kids they had to be on their best behavior since this was a private club for really rich people. Ronan was misbehaving and she nudged him and said, "Ronan act rich." Then she proceeded to walk very refined and rich down the stars.

A porch swing, ahhh. I don't know what it is about these but I love them and will have one some day.

The lost library this is called. Inside has books you can check out and reading areas. So darling.

Cute little playhouse that we found by the lost library. I have to say after days like this I am so excited that we decided to make this little adventure out of moving. Dave and I were talking about how in the last month we have had more adventures then we have had in the past years.

Art Camp

So I promised updates weekly and havent' been so great at it. But here is to catching up. Last week the girls did an art camp through the local rec center. They LOVED IT. The last day there was a program for the parents where they set all their art up like a real art show. Here is Eva with her creations.

And Ms Leah with hers.  

Their teacher Anke is a local artist and does the art camp every year for the past 15. She had another grandma lady that was her assistant. And they died over the girls and their hairdo's. Then they goobered over the baby. 

 

The kids did a presentation to the parents with their favorite art pieces. Leah and her partner introduced each other with a joke. "this is Leah, and this is Mia and we are both 8." It was pretty cute. Have I written that Leah is in a major joke telling phase and has about 40 plus the new ones she makes up everyday.

Ronan didn't get to do much fun stuff while the girls were gone because we were getting ready for Dave's big work party at our house. It was actually good because it made me buckle down and get the house decorated. Dave and I both worked and worked everyday. The party went great except for right when we went to grill the dinner and didn't have any gas left. Everyone is super nice.  

Friday after the party was over I took Ronan to the local park. He didn't want to play at the park he just wanted to run around on the skate park. He asked me if when he got big he could get a skateboard.

The Big Move

So we have made it. We are official residents of Truckee California. Can I say how well things have worked out. Our house sold and they were even able to close 2 weeks early right before we moved. We found a great rental that is amazing. I know were were meant to be here because things have really fallen into place. The unpacking is almost done. I still have the garage and decorating to do. But for the most part I know where everything is. The kids are happy and Dave and I are loving the weather and slower pace of life. His job is going great and we are really happy about seeing him more often. Usually by 5:00 everyday or earlier sometimes. The rental house we got is divine. The view outside the windows is like something you would see in a picture. So far so good. Here are a few photos documenting what we have been up to.

Our very small but nice ward does a playgroup. The first week we moved here we went to Lake Tahoe. It is breathtaking. And the other 2 ladies I met I really liked. It was nice for the kids to play with some friends.

We love going up to Dave's resort. They have a nice gondola ride you can take up to the top of the mountain. And the kids are excited to try their new roller blades out on the skating rink.

My mom bless her heart drove with us from Utah. It really went as well as possible. Then she decided to stay with us an extra few days. By the time she left we were close to unpacked. But we had to make sure we had a little fun with her.

She spoiled the kids with pony rides and jumps on the trampoline up at the resort.  

How do you move furniture with no neighbors? We figured out this method. Dave, me and the little red wagon. Which is really very sturdy because the couches didn't break it.

Bought the kids a tramp. Spent 2 hours setting it up. Then went to move it to it's final spot and it turned into a potato chip. Crazy huh.

Don't worry we made the best out of it. The kids played on it for days like this. In fact they begged us not to take it back. Really it is a great idea for a lawn toy.

We went on an adventure to the lakes close to us. None of them have great beaches but we explored a little and the kids swam in some pretty murky water.

Somebody turned 3 months during all this chaos. She has been a bit fussy which doesn't help with unpacking. But she is cute as ever and has started cooing, laughing, and smiling all the time. And she decided that she hates the car and screams half the time we are driving. Which isn't great since everything is a drive. Really I can't complain because she is still sleeping through the night.

For Leah's birthday we took a afternoon to return the tramp and go on an adventure in Reno. There is a huge sporting goods store call Sheels that we loved. It has a Ferris wheel inside and everything else you could think of. Then we went to eat at the Silver Inn that was featured in Diners, Drive ins and Dives. Mostly we picked it because Leah wanted somewhere that serves pancakes. The food was pretty good and the kids loved their pancakes.