Hi family! It's been a while since we wrote last (as usual) so we are attempting
to catch you up on what has been happening here in the Lindon Westra
household in the past few months in a few paragraphs. Heh heh.
We'll see how it goes (especially since I can't remember when we sent
the last update.)
For those of you who missed it, we went on a cruise in May. It was a
lot of fun and we are looking forward to the time when we can go on
another. We tried feeding stingrays, snorkeling, holding turtles, zip
lining, touring ruins, and haggling for jewelry and license plates.
Maybe next time a few of you could come along...
Adria had her dance recital and preschool graduation at the end of
May and Rella had her end of the year program. Suddenly we went from
having a lot going on to nothing! Adria played soccer in the Lindon
Soccer League in May and June and loved it! She's isn't a fan of
being on the bench. She likes to be right out there in the thick of
things. Alicia (that's me) started teaching Silver Sneakers twice a
week at the Orem Fitness Center. This is a program designed for the
65 and over crowd. The class is usually 20-30 people and they are
some of the nicest people I've met. They are picky on their music,
though. It's been fun to get to know them. I will be teaching them
on Friday mornings in the fall.
We had new neighbors move in behind us at the beginning of June. The
Whitings (some of the best neighbors ever) found a great deal on a
house in Springville and rented their house to the Perry family. They
have 5 energetic daughters ages 1 to 8. Our girls just fit right in
there. They all have fun playing together. It is like a girl party
all the time. It has taken some getting used to though. Shane went
to scout camp in Zion's National Park and herded his scouts through
several hikes. They had a great time and came home plenty dirty and
tired. Adria started taking piano lessons at the end of June and has
been progressing well. She enjoys practicing except when it gets in
the way of playing. We went camping at the Sand Dunes and sold our
Subaru Outback (not at the same time).
Adria graduated from the
UpStart Program (I am excited for Rella to begin this program!)
We really enjoyed the 4th of July long weekend. We went to fireworks
in Pleasant Grove on Saturday the 3rd, enjoyed Sunday services on the
4th, and then had a BBQ with the Green side on the 5th. Alicia
started teaching sculpting (sculpting muscles, not clay or marble)
classes twice each week. We went camping with our friends the Nixons
up Hobble Creek Canyon over the weekend of the 24th. The girls
started swim lessons at the end of July and both did very well. They
did 2 sessions and will both be moving to the next level next summer.
I had several photoshoots...you can see what I've been up to with my
photography on my photography blog http://aliciawestra.wordpress.com.
I've been learning so much and enjoying it all!
We also headed to
Lagoon twice during July. Our first visit was just on our own. Adria
hit the magic 46" mark this year, so she hit the big rides for the
first time. Colossus quickly became her favorite ride, until she met
Wicked, anyway. We bounced back for a 2nd visit and were joined by my
sister and her family as well as my older brother and his wife. Adria
and Rella loved having the aunts, uncles and cousins there to ride
with and Shane and I actually got a ride on jestStar 2 in. Shane got
to ride the rides I refuse to go on (the Rocket, Wicked) and I got to
go on the rides that Shane can't stomach (Paratrooper, Music
Express). We had such a fun time!
The month finished up with the
infamous surprise party for my 30th birthday. I didn't suspect a
thing. Thanks to all of you who were there for coming! I was amazed
how many people came to console--I mean celebrate with me.
August opened up with another scout trip. Shane and the deacons went
backpacking in the Uintas near Granddaddy Lake. They had a great time
working on merit badges, eating dehydrated food and trying to catch
fish. The girls continued with their swimming and piano lessons and
also started soccer again, this time in the Pleasant Grove League.
They are on a team together with Shane coaching. Adria loves to play
still and is learning to be a little more aggressive. Rella, how
should we put this, likes to rest. It is really a fight to get her to
play. It is a co-ed team with plenty of boys and girls who want to
play, so we don't push her too much. One of the other moms is
thinking of bringing some pom poms and forming a cheer squad with the
benched players. We only have 3 games left. Next year we'll try
Rella in the Lindon league on an all girls team. I have had to miss 2
of their games...one due to teaching at the OFC and the other due to
the Hobble Creek Half Marathon!
On the 21st I ran the half marathon
with 3 of my friends. My time was 2:18:41, a lot better than I had
anticipated! I was able to run most of it and had a great time. My
legs were extremely sore for a few days afterwards but are doing
better now. I am ready to get back into running this week...Shane and
I are planning on running the 5K fro Eliza next month and I am trying
to decide if I should do one more half marathon at the end of
October.
We had our ward swimming party a few weeks ago at the Lindon
pool. Again, lots of fun! Adria and Shane both rode the FlowRider
(surfing machine) and did considerably well. Rella had her 4th
birthday and had her first friend party. She had a fun time. I was
glad two of my neighbors helped me out with it! The 3 grown ups ended
up breaking the tough piñata open. We also had my side of the family
over last Sunday for a little party. We went minigolfing on her
birthday as well. Yesterday the girls operated a fruit and
vegetable stand, selling peaches, tomatoes, chives, and green beans.
They made $5.25. They used it to buy treats for the little game night
we had with our neighbors last night.
Tonight we had our Back to School Feast. This is a new tradition for
us. We had a good dinner and presented our family theme for the
school year "Growing in Light". Adria begins kindergarten on
Wednesday and Rella begins Pre-K on the 8th. Shane and I will be
celebrating our 10 year anniversary of meeting next Monday by taking
our Labor Day hike to Red Pine Lake. The girls begin dance this week
and the OFC opens back up after Labor Day. We are off to a roaring
start, and school hasn't even started yet!
There! All caught up! And in less than 3 emails! Happy end of
August everyone!
Love, Alicia, Shane, Adria, Rella, the 3 fish and all the neighbor kids.
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