Lucy Soccer Party

Miss Lucy played soccer this past winter (we live in Phoenix, remember?) .  We had so much fun going to all of her games on Saturday mornings.  We were sad when the season ended.  She improved so much this year!  She scored at least one in most of her games.  We loved cheering her on and being those obnoxious parents that try to coach from the sideline.  

I remember taking pictures at some of the games, but for some reason, I can't find them now.  So, all I have is pics from their end of year party at the beloved Peter Piper Pizza.  

Lucy's coach this year was Seth Barnum.  He's in our ward and he did a fabulous job!

Side note:  My camera is AWFUL!   I know what I want for Christmas next year! 

Here's Fernando and Graham.  These guys were buds during practices and games.  Fernie's sister, Janell, was on the team.  

Lucy and Jazlyn (Jazzie)

Vivi and Janell

We love Vahid!

Vahid is our new favorite friend.  Jason met him last semester at Arizona State University.  He was in most of the same classes.  He moved here to Phoenix in July, same as us, from Iran, not same as us.  This man is very, very smart and very, very kind.  Jason was seriously lost in one of the courses he had to take and Vahid helped him almost every day get through it.  He tutored him.  Jason tried to pay him or buy him lunch numerous times and he always refused.  We love Vahid!  Not just because of the help he so graciously gives to Jason, but because he has become a dear friend to our whole family.  

We've had him over for dinner a couple times, but back in December we invited him to go see the Mesa Temple lights with us.  Whenever my boys see Vahid, they immediately start climbing all over him.  He's always so sweet and brings a treat for each of the kids every time we see him.  

Vahid has a great sense of humor and we love learning how to say new words in Persian.  We talk about his family a lot and traditions they have in Iran.  He and Jason have had many talks about religion and the differences in our beliefs.  He attends Institute with Jason once a week.  

WE LOVE VAHID!

Surgery Day

These two crazy kids both had to have surgery in the middle of December.  Graham was scheduled to get tubes on December 17th.  Then, a week or two later, Lucy had to have what's called a "muco-seal" removed from under her tongue.  Side note:  I had one on the inside of my lip removed in college.    When they called to schedule the date for her surgery, they offered the same morning that Graham was going in (same doctor was performing the surgery).  Sweet!

They both did great and recovered quickly.  Although, Lucy had a painful sore under her tongue that bothered her for quite a while.

Graham seems to be doing better now.  The doctor was sure that the fluid in his ears had been there for a really, really long time.  Poor guy probably had multiple infections and we didn't know.  The last few months prior to his surgery, he would often do this sniffing thing to "make his ears work better".  The sniffing would get quite intense.  We finally took him to the doctor when we realized he wasn't hearing us very well.  He was going through a VERY irritable phase, too.  He asked one morning if we would take him to the doctor to see why his ears weren't working.  Stellar parents, I know.

Certificates

We are so proud of Graham!  He was chosen as Student of the Month in November.  

He was so excited to tell me.  He got a magnet that says his name.  I told him that it makes me smile every time I see it.  For two weeks after that, every time I went to the fridge he would watch me to see if I was smiling or point to it and say, "Mom?" and then see if I smiled.  He still does it every once in while.  

I had to laugh at the spelling on the certificate.  At least the magnet had it spelled correctly.  You'd be surprised at all the different ways people come up with.  

And just for fun, I thought I'd throw on Benny's nursery graduation certificate.  He misses his fun class, but is starting to enjoy Sunbeams more.  He cried and cried the first couple of weeks.  The following week, his teacher had a little Gorilla toy and let him hold it and he was great the rest of the time.  So, we let him choose one little toy guy to bring with him to class to be his buddy and he's happy to go.  

1/2 Marathon

Back in November I ran in the "SHUN THE SUN" half marathon in Mesa.  The weather was perfect and the course wasn't too bad.  I wasn't quite as fast as I wanted to be, but I loved seeing Jason and the kiddos at the end cheering me on .  

The race ended inside this stadium and there were some booths.  Graham got his face paint action on.  

Baja Fresh had a booth at the race, so we got some great coupons to use at dinner that night.  Not all that impressed with the restaurant, but it was cheap!

Ninja-Man

Sweet Grahambo signed up for karate last semester.  He really enjoyed it!  He learned a lot about how to defend himself from bullies and how to get away from potential kidnappers.  I enjoyed watching him do his moves and practicing with him at home.  

These pictures are from the awards program they had for the "Little Ninjas" in December.  

Graham got his yellow belt!  

My favorite part was hearing all the kids yell "Kee-Yah" as loud as they could when they did a move.  

Here he is with his teacher, Sensei Bernie.  We didn't sign him up again this semester because Jason wants him to give wrestling a try.  Graham was okay with the swap, but did mention he would miss Sensei Bernie and has been concerned about the fact that we're not going to explain why he's not there.