Soccer, School, and Splashpads

Ava started soccer drill sessions in October. Surprisingly, Ali loves the soccer as much as her big sister – she even manages to dribble the ball fairly well.
Ava is working on her dribbling.

And shooting.
While Ali keeps at it with the (barefoot) dribbling.
Ava’s school had two events in October. First, they did a “Dad and kids” day on a Saturday. Ali liked the cuddly teddy bear in one of the rooms.

Next, Ava’s class performed a few songs during the Sunday church service. While Ava seemed to have a bit of stage fright at first, she eventually got into it.

Click the image above for a video of Ava and her class performing

We also make good use of the splashpads around. The Scottsdale Quarter shopping area has one that is good for the kids. Ava is quick to make friends with other kids…here they are on the “hill”…

And then watching the clouds in the sky.

Hanging out on the benches.

While Ali is having fun in the splashpad.
Soon big sister joins the fun…

We’ve continued our fun time at the park as well. Ali is always on the go.

While Ava gets better at the bike.

And Ali likes to ham it up!
She’s even a happy kid when she wakes up from her nap.

One more video of the girls...

Click the image above for a video of Ali (the pirate) and Ava (the fairy) in the backyard.

Got to run after the kids!

September in Scottsdale

After the Minnesota trip we were at home for a while. September for us in Arizona means that pool time is starting to end, as it gets to be nice enough to hit the parks again.

First off, a video of Ali continuing to improve her walking skills.

Click on the image above for a video of Ali walking

We tend to start our morning with a bikeride, walk, or a hike.

The girls love going fast in the trailer on the bike…

 

But they also enjoy hiking in the mountains.

With the nice weather, we are able to enjoy the backyard more. Whether it is Ali trying to ride Ava’s bike…

…Watering the garden…

…Swimming in the pool…

Or just having dinner on the patio, we definitely use our backyard.

We’ve been able to hit the parks more often too. Ali is happy carrying anything around that she can get her hands on.

Or playing on the see saw.

Of course all that play requires a little cooling off in the splash pad.

Ava is into things that go fast, like bikes.

While Ali is sometimes content just to sit in the grass.

 

Ava loves to play dressup. Especially as Rapunzel.

Ava and Dad did their first circus at Westworld. Ava likes the clowns.

And watching the elephants.

Although riding the elephant was even better.

As was riding the pony.

We even had some excitement in the neighborhood with a fire truck up the street that day.

And this month we got a new car for the family.

That’s all for September…

Minnesota

The girls were thrilled to get out of the Arizona heat and up to Minnesota for our annual trip up north. Lots of adventures to share…

Ava at the airport, ready to go

After the 3 hour flight (during which Ali wanted to be on the go the entire time), we finally made it to Minneapolis.

Ali loved being able to stretch out in the grass.

And of course the girls love the slip-n-slide and the sprinkler toys.

Like her big sister, Ali loves the swing…

Click on the image for a video of Ali in the swing

Both girls loved spending time outdoors. Here we are on a walk at the Nature Center.

Ava got to ride NeeNee’s horse.

Click on the image for a video of Ava riding...

Ava also loved picking carrots from Kay’s garden.

While Ali continues her quest to find things to put around her head.

Ava found some kids to play with.

and got better on the playground toys.

The girls loved playing on Pops’ boat.

Especially when we are on the water.

Three generations of boaters…

Ava might be a little excited out on the water.

Meanwhile Ali is proceeding to get most of her food on her face…

On our trip (on September 1st) Ali started walking on her own.

Click for a video of Ali walking...

Ava, Pops, and NeeNee did a cookout in the backyard one night, roasting hot dogs and smores.

The girls had fun doing singalongs on the deck.

Click on the image for a video of the wheels on the bus singalong.

Of course we had to get a photo of the girls by the pumpkins at the farm up the street.

After all that fun and flying home, Ava was a bit tired…