Skating Party

Along with the party room and skating for everyone our skating party included a fifteen minute lesson for all of our party goers. We were happy to find out that when we arrived our favorite instructor/coach Toshe was avaiable. Toshe is often Kiera's teacher for group lessons at the rink, and always her coach for private lessons. Thanks to Toshe everyone skated better!
Toshe is in the big red jacket.

Everyone makes it to the other side of the rink,,,without any walls to hang on to.
Good job!



Kiera takes four year old Nat across the ice.


All the skaters working hard to do what Toshe says.




Our friends at Center Ice Arena, especially Sarah who coordinated our pizzas and drinks, helped make this year's celebration a special success.

Party At The House

After a couple hours at the rink we loaded up the party and moved it home. Here are a group of Kiera's friends relaxing, and warming up, in the backyard with Zoey.



Kiera opening gifts.



Haley and Jessica help her keep track.

Surprise Visit

He might be Capt. Guapo to others, and even "Big Lou" to the people he has convinced to call him that. To our family he is Louie our great friend who happens to be in charge of a fire truck when he is working. As a special birthday surprise they paid a visit to Kiera's party.

Kiera and Louie.

Eugene, Mike and Keith show off all of their fun toys, I mean important life saving tools, to the group.

The Birthday Girl on the truck. (That's what the writing on her face says)

A fire truck in front of your house doesn't mean you have an emergency. It can mean that you have invited the firemen over for dinner!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIERA!

On Saturday Sept 20th we all got together at Center Ice Arena to celebrate Kiera's 11th birthday. Thirteen friends and additional adults were there. Some of Kiera's friends had never tried out ice skating but everyone got onto the ice and did great.

Kiera blows out all of her candles after a loud singing of Happy Birthday To You!



Kiera and Natalie enjoy some pizza.


Birthday tables and friends.

Angel Game

In July we were invited to an Angels game with Roxanna and Ned. Roxanna, Ned and Mike are baseball fans. Gayle, not so much. But I do enjoy the experience at the ballpark. Here is a shot of Ned admiring the view of the field from our very nice seats.



Mike and I even dressed in something resembling Angel's team red. I have come to realize that watching a game live, where you can see everything or anything that you want to see as opposed to what the tv station is showing you, is much more interesting. Even if you aren't a dedicated fan.

Pool Day

The day after Christine's wedding Kiera had friends over for an afternoon at the community pool. We hung out, did alot of swimming, diving, and just plain floating, and snacks of course.

Genevieve, Kiera, Jessie and Amy snacking and clowning for the camera.

Wedding and Reception

Although it started as a rather hot summer afternoon, as the evening progressed the temperature dropped to balmly levels. Everyone enjoyed the food, drinks and of course the cake! And we left happy to have been included in this important day.

June Wedding

Christine and Dani were married in a beautiful outdoor ceremony on Saturday June 21st. As you may or may not know, Christine and Shannon were in PA school together and when Christine was offered a position at Arrowhead Medical Center in Colton, about fifteen miles east of Ontario, we promptly adopted her.

It was wonderful to watch her wedding, to see the obvious happiness in both Christine and Dani and their families as well. And to finally meet Christine's family!

Mike and Kiera waiting for the

bride to appear. Kiera in her new outfit.