Soccer

A couple months ago I had the idea to start a parent and me soccer group.  I asked some friends at church and a few other families were interested.  So, a couple months ago we started meeting once a week at a local park to learn some soccer skills.  The kids ranged in age from under 2 to 12 years old.  It was a big age ranged but we all had a good time (at least I think we did).

I taught the kids how to dribble, kick, and throw-ins.  Each week we spent a little time on each skill.  I let the kids kind of guide the group depending on energy level and desire to participate that day.  Some days were more successful than others.  No matter what happened during our practice we always ended with an obstacle course.  I think that was everybody's favorite part.

The obstacle course was broken up into a four parts.  The first part the kids would run forward, backward, and sideways.  Sometimes I would also have them crab walk.  After running the kids had to hop like bunnies through 3 hula hoop and then crawl through a tunnel.  The last obstacle was to dribble and shoot at a goal.  It was fun watching the kids race each other and try to get the fastest time.

Fishing

For months Ava has been asking me to take her fishing.  She tells me "Daddy I want to catch fish and eat them".  She has been practicing her cast in out back yard 50 gallon fish pond.  I took her to the pond at our local park for more practice (sometimes they actually stock it with fish, but not recently).  We decided to go to Rancho Seco.  It is close and they stock it with trout over the winter.  We got there a little late so the fish weren't biting. I hooked into one but it got off the line before Ava could come over and reel it in.  We had fun even though we didn't catch anything.  I'll have to find a better place.   Her attention span for fishing was short, but I think it would be a little longer if we were actually catching fish.

Sunscreen first.

Looking at the frogs and tadpoles.

My little fisher girl all ready to go with her Scoobydoo fishing pole.

Daddy put the bait on the hooks.

"Reach back and toss!"  Not sure where Ava got that from but she says it before every cast.

Ava almost hooked a Daddy.

"Reach back and toss."

Us out fishing on the boat dock.

It was hot out.  Ava enjoyed putting her feet in the water.

This is Rosie. Ava found a ladybug that she named Rosie.

Backyard Campout

Ava has wanted to go camping for a while.  We decided to set up the tent in the back yard for a trial run.  Lisa enjoyed the comfort of our bed inside the house. Ava had a great time. She was so excited to be in the tent that it took several hours for her to settle down and sleep.   She loved looking out the window at the stars.  We read books and I told her stories about when I went camping as little boy.  I was impressed at how well she slept (once she finally fell to sleep around 11:30).  She slept through the night.  I wish I could have slept as well as she did.  The funny thing is that Lisa probably had the worst night of sleep.  The dog was pacing back and forth in the house, and the neighbors cat got in a fight around 04:30.  We will have to find a time to take her to a real campground now. It would be a fun family activity and she would love it.

Ava is ready for the night.  She has her baby, panda, pointer, gloves, and several flash lights.

Luca came to visit but he went back in the house to sleep.

Snuggles in the tent.

Cherries = Happy Ava

 I love that the simple things in life like fresh cherries make Ava happy.  During the summer months Ava is in heaven with all the fresh fruit she gets to eat.  She has been enjoying strawberries, cherries, melon, and pineapple.  She is looking forward to the peaches and apricots on our trees in the backyard.

Strawberries

Ava has been enjoying strawberries from her garden for the past couple months.  She loves going outside and picking strawberries from her plants.  Last year she had 3 plants and this year we planted 6 more.  Even with 9 plants hardly any strawberries make it into the house.  Ava usually picks them and eats them outside.


Ava getting ready to pick a strawberry and Luca hoping she will drop it.  Ava is nice and shares the tops of the strawberries with Luca.

Ava with her treasure.

I try to remind Ava to wash her strawberries before she eats them.  Sometimes she is so eager she forgets.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day morning I woke up to an excited Ava.  She had been waiting since Thursday to give me the gift she made at school.  I was amazed at how well she kept the secret of what it was.  Before I did anything else I opened her gift.  Ava decorated a beautiful picture frame with her picture in it.  She also made me a heart card.

After church we headed to my brother's to celebrate with my family.  I had requested pasta carbonara, so that is what Rich made me for my special dinner.  My brother made a tasty lentil soup for his fiance.  My dad just brought my mom and we all shared food.

It was a nice day of relaxing and family.  I enjoyed not doing anything and being taken care of by my husband and daughter.  It is nice to be appreciated and pampered.

Yes, I know I look terrible.  I literally just woke up.  Ava didn't let me do anything before I opened her gift.

The decorated picture frame and card.  Both are beautiful.

We wore our matching skirts that I made.  I am holding a yellow tissue paper flower gave me from primary.

Ava likes to do jumping pictures.

The ladies of the family:  Me, My Mom (Nonna), Ava, & Elizabeth

Ava made this picture for Nonna Carole.  She cut out the sun and grass.  She made the flowers a family and they are holding hands.  I LOVE it!

Ava had so much fun at Uncle's house she fell asleep after being in the car for only 10 minutes on the way home.

15 Year Anniversary

On May 9th Rich and I celebrated our 15 Year Anniversary.  Since it was a busy weekday we decided to have a special evening at home as a family and then go out the next night alone.  Ava was excited for "Mommy & Daddy's Special Day" and was eager to help celebrate.

While Rich was at work Ava and I decorated.  We went to the dollar store and Ava picked out some decorations and a heart shaped balloon.  She was so cute trying to make everything special for us.  In a way she felt like it was her special day too.

For dinner we had homemade pizza.  Ava said she wanted to make pizza, but when it was time to make it she decided playing was more important.  I made the dough and used my heart shaped cookie sheet to shape the crust.  It was a nice dinner and a good suggestion by Ava.  Making pizza is something Rich and I use to do a lot when we were first married.  It was a fun and cheap date night.  I was happy to keep up the tradition.

After dinner we kept to our regular routine with bath time and getting ready for bed.  Before bed we did let Ava watch us open gifts.  Well, just Rich really.  Earlier in the day a beautiful bouquet of flowers was delivered for me.  I was so excited because I have always wanted flowers delivered.  My gift completely surprised Rich and I think he is still in shock today.  I got him personalized M & M's with cute little sayings and a new Citizen Eco-drive watch.  He was not expecting the watch, but I wanted to do something extra special because he is such a wonderful husband and father.

Once Ava was in bed we relaxed, enjoyed some quiet time, and planned our evening out the next night.  We looked forward to having dinner at our favorite restaurant, Il Forno Classico, and having a real date night.  Unfortunately, that did not happen, but for good reason.

The next day Bob and EmmaLee welcomed their cute little babies into the world.  I was able to help by watching Ezra while EmmaLee went in for a C-section.  That evening we got to go to the hospital and meet the babies, Tavi & Levi.  Due to all this excitement and change of plans we didn't have time for our more formal date night.  Instead we used the little free time we had to eat at The Habit.  It was tasty and we enjoyed a little bit of time alone.  (Fortunately, I'm a pretty cheap date and I real do enjoy a good burger joint.)  We decided to reschedule our formal date night for another evening.  I think Ava was happy because we said we would probably take her and she loves Il Forno Classico too.

My beautiful flowers.  Rich had some delivered for our anniversary and then another bouquet came the next day for Mother's Day.

Homemade Pizza

Ava helping Rich open presents.

Rich's personalized M&M's.

The say, "Love", "Happy 15", "Ti Amo. Mio Amore".

Rich with his new watch.

President's Day Bike Ride

Way back in February we went on a family bike ride along the bike trail (I just found the pictures today).  Rich had the day off for President's Day and we decided to go on a family outing.  We rode about 8 miles round trip.  It was tough for Rich because he was pulling Ava in the bike trailer.  That added weight makes a huge difference.

As we rode we enjoyed watching the river and all the activity.  There were lots of people enjoying the trail and fishermen trying to catch some steelhead.  We also saw lots of birds and squirrels.  It was a beautiful day and perfect for riding bikes.

Along the trail we stopped and had a picnic.  We enjoyed sandwiches, chips, and carrots.  After eating we walked around and look at the river a bit.  We could see some dying salmon out in the middle of the water.

Once we refueled our bodies we hopped back on the bikes and headed home.  It was a great little adventure and one we will repeat again.


Rich and Ava

Ava enjoying a sandwich.

View during our picnic.

It is hard to see, but at the top of this picture there is a salmon swimming.

Rich and Ava hiking around the river.

River

Two fishermen hoping to catch some steelhead.