An Old & New Friend

When we first moved to Arizona in 1997, I didn't know anyone. Thank goodness for Gymboree...because I met my first AZ friend there. I met Jennifer Hendrix (the 2nd from the left) and her daughter Mikayla. Ashley & Mikayla played together all the time!

They weren't even 1 year old yet in these pictures. Oh my, this seems like ages ago! The actual date was May 14, 1998 - ( I wrote the date on the back of the picture. I know, I'm such a dork that way.)

Ashley's cousin Isaac, Ashley, & Jennifer with Mikayla...we were at our old house.


Aww, I found this picture of Matt & Ashley and scanned it in just because. Also to prove that Matt did have hair back in the day.

I used to watch Mikayla all the time, so we'd go to different parks and play.

Ashley's 4th birthday party...Mikayla's on the right.


Ashley & Mikayla - Ash's 5th birthday party. I think we saw Mikayla & Jennifer maybe a few times after this and then we kind of lost touch with them. Life gets busy, then we had Mia & then Madison. Years passed...until: Facebook.

I said happy birthday on Jennifer's wall (on her FB) and Jodi - who attends the boot camp I go to saw and said, hey...she goes to my boot camp! So Jodi & I both knew Jennifer via Facebook. Too funny! Jennifer had been on a 6 month trip around the world and Jodi and I really wanted to see her so we met at the Wildflower and talked for 2 hours! Now our girls are getting ready for high school. Life comes at you fast!


It was fun, and much needed! I hadn't seen Jennifer for at least 8-ish years. Ok, we can't let that happen again...because I'll be really old!!!

The Last Days of School

The last two days of school went by in a blur. Madison ended her last day of pre-school with water day! The kids had fun getting soaked and enjoyed some refreshing otter pops. Mrs. Carrol & Ms. Silva were just the right teachers for Madiosn. She went in not talking to anyone at all, (which I can't imagine!) but came out chatting away. Mrs. Carrol said she really blossomed this year. Good job Madiosn!

Madison played with her buddy Katherine (who is on Alyssa's soccer team.) They had fun getting all wet.

Madison had a great year in pre-school...and her last year of pre-school is next year before Kindergarten.

Mia got the 'radical retelling' award at school because she could listen to the story adn retell what it was about. Awesome job Mia!

The very last day of school ended with water day for the whole school as well. Mia had fun with her friends, here she is with Kenna.

Mia & Ava jumping on the slip n slide...

Playing with the hoses...they were soaked!

This picture brings tears to my eyes...there are 3 Hopekids at school. They are all in 2nd grade, and they are all friends. Mia, Ethan, & Trevor are the bravest kids for what they have endured in their short lives, especially Trevor as he lost his mom to cancer last month. There are no words...but we are here for him.
I think this year has been great for Alyssa. To me, she has really matured a lot and kind of grew up before my eyes. She made a lot of new friends this year which has been really good for her. I think she's been hanging around Ashley to much though...here we go with the self pictures.

Alyssa was awarded the Principal's award for straight A's through the whole year! Oh yeah...way to go Alyssa!! I am SO proud of you. She is definitely smart...she must take after my side of the family :)

Thanks Mrs. Delsman for a great year in 4th grade!

The girls made this little paint can gifts for their teachers. They are filled with treats and then they wrote a note to the teacher but had to use the name of each thing inside in their letter. It's a cute idea.

Ashley loved being a teacher aid to Miss Rodriguez. They talked, graded papers, and had lots of soda's together. How cute! Ashley will really miss her as she goes into high school. (Gulp.)

8th grade graduation...