The Gould's: January 2015

Beauty in the small things

Sometimes life is overwhelming and it goes by so fast that I forget to stop and count my blessings. I forget to stop and see that God's love and beauty is in every little detail of my life

And I missed another one but Grandma and Grandpa Gould came to visit when Alyssa was baptized and they stayed for a few days. We really enjoyed our time with them. We always enjoy playing with Grandma.

The girls enjoyed a movie while we got the car cleaned

We took a ride up Sabino Canyon

took Grandma to the zoo to see the new baby elephant

did some craafts

went on field trip

and best of all alone time with Grandma and Grandpa

Austin

Austin came for a visit and learned how to drive

but we forgot to teach him about what happens when the yellow light comes on and so after a drive to Phoenix the next morning the girls and I ran out of gas on the way to school but they thought it was the best thing ever.

Before Austin left we took him out to our favorite place Pinnacle Peak

The girls enjoyed their visit with Austin and missed him as soon as he left

and so did I.....because his duty was washing the pans

Let the school year begin!

And just like that summer was over and school began again. Alyssa started 3rd grade and Zhara started 5th....wow

And suddenly my sweet little Haleigh was old enough to start preschool :(

She started out going Monday and Friday at St. Albans but ended up going on Wed also because she loved it so much.

Charlotte really wanted to stay

but she made a new friend with Austin "her brother"

Time to see old friends and make some new...here's to another year!!

Sisters

For all the times they drive each other crazy and all the tattling....they really do love each other and for all the times they drive me crazy I wouldn't trade them for the world.

Celebrating the end of summer swim

At the end of swim they had a banquet for the girls and the coaches talked about each swimmer (which took FOREVER) and then gave them a Ventana towel. We got to eat dinner at the country club and the girls really enjoyed drinking from fancy glasses. They fed us spaghetti...not sure if they realize what a messy meal that is for kids but it was free so who can complain right?

This is my favorite picture. We had a fun summer and they loved their new team but we were glad that it was done. We had a meet Thursday and almost every Tues, meets on Saturday and

School's out for the summer!

Somehow I missed this post of the girls last day of school. They both made the honor roll for the first time and I was so proud at how hard they had worked to get there. Bring on the summer!!!

Fishing!

What better way to end our vacation then an afternoon fishing? Charlotte and Haleigh had never been. As I look back on these pictures it warms my heart. Tender moments between a father and his daughters, laughter between sisters and beautiful sunshine makes for a good end to the summer.