Settling In

Kind of a final 'catch-up' post and then hopefully I can get back to blogging current, day to day events. The blog is kind of our family journal (ha, I know) so I need to be better at keeping it current.  We're all settled into the new home and life back in Danville.  When we drove up to our house to see it for first time, we had a big welcome sign from all the youth in our ward.  It's  been like that ever since we step foot back - a big warm welcome from our friends and ward here.

We love our new little house.  The best part - the view.  Our house is up on the hill so this is what we get to look out at everyday, with Mount Diablo in the background.  The beauty of Northern California is one of the things we love most - so glad to be back.

The kids are integrating well with their old friends and meeting new ones.  All our kids happen to be in age groups with a large amount of kids in our ward.  There are about 21 LDS 7th graders at Breann's middle school - most from our ward.  Breann has one of her best friends from Singapore that also moved here and goes to school with her - lucky girl.  There are also 25 LDS  Freshman at the high school with Dallin.  The kids jumped right back in - riding their bikes downtown and hanging out with tons of friends (Breann's the one in blue helmet).

The kids are all in school - so weird for me (but nice - I'm not lying - no tears for me).  Ashlyn is a Junior and Dallin is a Freshman at San Ramon Valley High School.  Breann is in 7th grade at middle school and then Alexa is in 4th and Bryant in 1st.  They are adjusting back to public school - especially not having the uniforms (which they would prefer).  Mom is adjusting to all the driving.

Ashlyn got her first 'real' job (she actually worked alot in Singapore teaching piano, ref'ing soccer and nannying) - she works at Golden Skate (roller skating rink) just down the street from our house (very convenient).  She has her permit and is eagerly awaiting her license in January (mom's anxious too - another driver will be very nice).

Last Saturday it was raining so we figured it would be a good day to pop in and see her in action - and do some skating.  The kids ordered slurpee's from her at the snack bar .

We're enjoying being in the Bay Area and the sights of San Francisco again.  We love being close to the ocean.

Last, but certainly not least, Alexa celebrated her 9th birthday a few weeks ago.  Instead of a cake she wanted cookie dough, raw.  We compromised on a barely cooked 'cookie cake' with ice cream.  It was 'the best birthday ever' as her dad was here and she got her long awaited, highly anticipated Kindle Fire.