The past several weeks have been packed with fun times with our family and neighbors. We have known that our dear friends, the Johnstons, were moving to southern CA at the end of August, so we have taken about every opportunity to spend time with them.
Change is difficult. Terribly difficult! Instead of focusing on what we are losing (with our friends leaving), this post is about celebrating the new beginnings in our family and in our neighborhood.
Hope's Birthday
First, our niece's birthday at Grandma and Poppie's home!
We gave her the newest Stephanie Meyer book. She
LOVED it!
Proud papa Steve, Hope and Cheri
(I love my ColorSplash app on my iPhone)
Baby Girl Alyssa Goes To Nursery
Well, she doesn't go on her own, but she goes! :)
It's happening. Our baby has become a toddler overnight. Perhaps everybody else has seen it, but we just haven't.....until now. Alyssa has got words, expressions and is even starting to bend her knees a bit when she runs. Crazy how this is all flying by!
Bought these boots at the Johnston's garage sale. They are a hit already!
Couples Night Out at Red Lobster
The Last Supper.....or was it?
We met at Red Lobster with our group of close friends before the big Johnston move. Here are some of my favorite shots (and I have learned that my iPhone doesn't photograph well in the dark)
Merideth with new baby Keaton, Jode, Yolanda and Jen
Steve, Dave and Dana
Some of the eyes are bad in this picture, but cute anyway.
Crazy faces!
Toasting to a bright future for each other!
We brought a good-bye gift for Jen and Steve. Here they are opening it.
A hardback book titled, "Good Times In Cedar Hills." It is a memoir of memories and pictures by us and multiple families in our neighborhood and ward. I'm not kidding when I say that I have shed many tears while putting it together.
Jen and Steve, fascinated by the project.
I think they must be reading the page titled, "The Truth About Sunny!" Their "perfect" dog has another side which we cleverly captured in our book! :)
Lots of smiles, laughs, pina coladas, and oh yes, crab legs!
Nate and Yo
After dinner, Nate and Merideth left for home to get the baby down and the rest of us went to Farr's for some ice cream and visiting. The night was perfect outside, so we sat outside and laughed the night the away!
Dave, the tease!
My man and me!
The Girls!
A New Family Sport......GOLF! Kids' Style!
We took our children for the first time golfing at Trafalga and they loved it! Alyssa ran around the grabbed our golf balls, but we had the best time together.
Austin, putting "Star Wars" style.
Austin and Taylor Bug
Our innocent-looking Jaxson.
Well......
Our Jaxson!
Dave showing Alyssa how to golf. She loves her daddy.
Taylor and Jaxson's 1st Day of School
It arrived. FINALLY! The kids loved their first day of school. Taylor is in the 4th grade and Jaxson is in first grade. It has been kind of refreshing just having Austin and Alyssa at home for a few hours before the oldest two come home from school.
This year, Dave was out of town so Grandma Barbie came over to get pictures of the kids (since I was teaching). She went the extra mile and even drove over during lunch to get their pictures eating! Thanks Grandma Barbie!
Taylor and Jaxson
Heading to class!
Grandma saw Riley and took her picture too!
Jaxson eating lunch
Yes, our Jaxson!
Doesn't this picture make you feel good about how your child feels at school?
Even with the corndog......
Coming Home From School:
Candybar Poster Tradition
I make a candybar poster for the kids once a year, on their first day of school. I had them on their bed. I did one for Austin as well, since he is doing pre-school at Julie's home. Here are their reactions:
Alyssa with her treats!
Waiting for Taylor & Jax to arrive home from
the first day of school!
And here she is!!!!!
Here comes Jaxson as well!
Jax, finding his poster!
Farewell Party for the Johnstons!
We held our final good-bye party for the Johnstons at the park behind our homes. So many of our friends, neighbors and ward members showed up to wish them the best.
"Have Fun in California!"
Yo and Molly
Christine, Jody and Crystal
Sometimes adults are more difficult than children when taking pictures....
There we go! Much better!
Jen with our beautiful neighbor who is in remission from cancer. We are so grateful!
Lots of people, lots of food, lots of tears, lots of support
lots of love!
Three of the best-looking men I know! :)
Gorgeous couple: Merideth and Nate (who had just finished a triathlon that morning)
Cute baby girl Clara with her mama!
Our sweet Keaton
What a long post! Dave and I are so grateful for the friends and family who bless our lives. We constantly shake our heads when we talk about how rich our lives are because of the people who have been placed in our lives at this time. Here's to New Beginnings......and yes, "Good Times in Cedar Hills."
Last night, we decided to lay outside and look at the stars before bed. It was the best! The kids wanted to cuddle, weren't hyper and just wanted to talk. I lapped up the moment and charted it as a must-do more often. So tomorrow, after FHE, bathes and prayer, we're doing a bit more star-gazing! 
Doesn't this look fun? And MOM is even in the picture. Yipee!
Austin is growing up really fast right now. He is in pre-school, learning how to read, loving athletics....
"CHEEZZZZZZZZZZ"
