Happy New Year!

May everyone enjoy a happy and prosperous 2010!!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

When we left Columbus, we had just a small amount of snow on the ground. We drove home in a Blizzard. The kids were happy though. The next morning, Mariah went out and bought a $35 dollar (kiddie) snowboard. Columbus doesn't have many hills but our backyard has a small one. Mariah is dying to learn how to snowboard, so for now, this is the best she is going to get. Today I looked out the window and she was teaching Shayla how to do it. What a sweet big sissy.
From this angle, our very small hill looks like a run on Mt. Hood (I guess we can always dream can't we?)

Her first lesson

And she makes it down without a fall!

Thanks Mariah!!

A Fun Tradition

Somewhere along the interstate in the great state of New York and while traveling home from Toronto, my children have loved this tradition. There is an "Oasis," a place where you can stop for gas, a bathroom break or food. You get off on one side, walk across the freeway and in the middle is the restrooms, and several restaurants. We almost always stop there, not only to visit the bathrooms and the McDonald's, but to wave to all the cars going by.

My kids LOVE to wave to everyone and you would not believe how much drivers LOVE to way back. This time, we got truckers to honk their horns, an ambulance to run it's lights, and lots of waves and smiles.

OK kids, here comes another car, get ready to wave!

Christmas in Canada

Here's a few random pictures from Christmas. We had a big celebration on Christmas Eve and we had 28 family members there.
Sina and Soroush, Masood's nephews, who flew in with their parents from Vancouver BC. We haven't seen them in a couple of years.

We had 4 tables prepared and ready to be eaten at.

AJ with his 2nd cousin Taylor. They're just a year apart. Taylor asked his Mom if he and AJ were identical twins because their so much alike. ha ha

My girls being silly.

We NEVER could get a whole group shot, here's a few of us. Iranians NEVER stop eating, notice all the food on that coffee table. Besides a huge turkey dinner, we snacked all day long.

Eilia celebrated an early 6th birthday. He turns 6 on Jan 2nd. He and Shayla are just 10 days apart.

This is our great nephew Lyam. He is a doll!

Me and my cute hubby - or should I say - my hubby and cute me? ha ha ha

5 of the 6 Moarefdoust siblings. Abbas (#5), Momtaz (#4), Steve (#3), Zohreh (#1) and Masood (#6). Missing would be sister (#2) Shohreh.

Steve and Terry's gigantic tree

This is the youngest of the group. 4 month old Benjamin.

Opening gifts Christmas morning.

AJ being goofy.

The kids with Auntie Maxine (Taylor and Lyam's grandma - I know she looks way too young to be a grandma).

The Magic of Christmas

If only I could be young again! If only I could see the magic of Christmas the way my younger children do. Shayla has been practicing the Christmas song, "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." Her favorite part has been "He knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake!" As we were standing in line to see Santa (a very long line) Shayla asks me, "Mom, do you think Santa knows yet if I'm on the good list or the bad list?" "Yes Shayla,"I said. "I'm sure he's already go all of his list figured out by now." While she was sitting on his lap, I decided to ask him. "Santa, Shayla wants to know if she is on your good list or your bad list?" He replies "Oh, she is on my VERY GOOD list." And with that, he gave her a huge hug. It almost made me cry. Then he handed her two suckers. One, for her birthday and the other for Christmas. We're up in Canada right now spending Christmas with Masood's family. Shayla is a bit spoiled up here. There are several small children here, but SHE is the ONLY little girl and everyone LOVES her. My niece Shiryn, has a husband, Andy who is amazing with the kids! Shayla adores him. At her kindergarten party, she made some reindeer food and decided to bring it up here with her to sprinkle on the grass so that Santa and his reindeer could find us up here. Well it was pretty cold last night and I wasn't sure if I wanted to go outside to do it with her, but Andy did. It was so cute as I watched them through the window all bundled up. I could see Andy pointing to the sky and then pointing to the ground to pick our just the right spot for the reindeer food - and then watched as Shayla sprinkled it on the ground. I wanted to cry again. Last night just before bed, we got onto the Internet to the NORAD sight to find out just were Santa was. This is a tradition. It was just about 11 pm. Santa was in Florida, then a couple minutes later Georgia. We quickly got Shayla and AJ's pajama's on then found out that Santa was in Tennessee and was quickly moving our way. She couldn't wait to get into bed. I tucked them both in and gave them kisses and I wanted to cry just one more time. I know, I'm a boob, but I can't help it. My children are growing up so fast and I just don't want them too. I want them to stay little forever so that I can see the magic of Christmas through their eyes!

Merry Christmas

Taken the Sunday before Christmas
We have so many wonderful friends, that we just can't send out Christmas cards to everyone, so this was the winning picture.

And here is the letter then went along with the cards:
HAPPY HOLIDAYS 2009
It’s been a busy year! Here are some of the highlights.
Aryan – Is a sophomore in High School. She will be getting her Driver’s Permit this month. She sings in the Jazz Choir. Had a large roll in the school play. Is involved in the Interact Club (they do a lot of service in the community) and is still dancing at Straub Dance Center.
Mariah – Is in the 7th grade and has straight “A’s.” Play’s the Clarinet. Plays Premiere soccer on a new team and is the teams’ highest goal scorer. Got braces and is now playing basketball.
A.J. – Loves being in the 4th grade and having his first male teacher. Is a “ladies man” and well liked by all. Always seems to be outside playing with his friends. Just received his “Bear award” in Cub Scouts and is taking ice skating (he’s decided that he wants to be a hockey player).
Shayla – Started Kindergarten and is learning how to read. Donated her hair to Locks of Love. Enjoyed her first dance recital and continues to take tap. Is moving from “babies” to “Barbie’s.” Loves to ride her bike. She is just a sweetheart in every way.
Masood – Is still running a District for Farmers Insurance. Was called to be in the Bishopric at church as the 1st Counselor. Enjoys living close to his 2 brothers in Toronto (6 hr. drive from Columbus). Went to SLC with Lisa for their 15 yr. Mission Reunion.
Lisa – Turned 40 and went to Cancun with her 2 closest friends. Quit working for Masood when she gained a kindergartener. Went back home to WA for the first time in 19 mo. Loves volunteering in both Shayla and A.J.’s classrooms. She also loves working with the Young Women in the church.
We wish you much love, peace, joy and happiness throughout the following year!
The Moarefdoust Family
Masood, Lisa, Aryan, Mariah, A.J. and Shayla

Happy Birthday Baby Girl

My baby is 6 today! Happy Birthday Shayla!!
S - Super Sweet
H - Happy
A - Always a cuddler
Y - Youngest
L - Loves to dance and sing
A - Amazing little girl

My tiny tapper isn't so tiny anymore

Isn't she soooo cute?

Shayla with her friend Erin (our old neighbor). Erin started this year and has caught on quickly and is doing as well as Shayla.

Last week was parent watch day at the studio and I was amazed. Shayla has grown so much and her tap has really improved. I can't wait until recital time now to see how well she does this year. She really seems to enjoy tap. I never had Aryan take tap because I used to think it was soooo boring and I hated the noise, but I just can't hate it with Shayla - she's just doing so well at it.

It's almost here! Can you feel it?

The house lights are up.

The horse drawn carriage rides have been taken.

The decor is out.

Baby Jesus is waiting.

The stockings are hung.

The tree has been decorated (and redecorated thanks to Shayla)

The presents are wrapped.

The fire is glowing.

And as of last night, the first snow fall has fallen.

Christmas is coming and I can't wait!!

I wish we could enjoy all of this here for Christmas, but we will be spending Christmas with Masood's family in Toronto this year. His sister and her family are flying in from Vancouver BC, as well as his sister is still there visiting from Iran.

We'll be opening our gifts here on the 23rd (Shayla's birthday). We'll pack up the van, make a traditional trip to see Santa at the mall and then we're off to Toronto. AJ was worried that Santa wouldn't be able to find us up there, but I'm sure he will. Let's hope for clear roads up and back (we return on Sunday). Merry Christmas to all!!!

Holiday Parties

One thing I do love about living in Ohio, is that my kids get to have Holiday or maybe I should say Christmas Parties! It's fun to see them playing games, making crafts and eating foods that are all centered around Christmas! It was a fun and magical day!
Shayla's Kindergarten Class. The theme was the "Polar Express" and they all got to wear their pajama's to school.

Shayla and her friend Ashlinn with their reindeer hats.

This is a girl in AJ's class - Najme, who agreed to let her classmates dress her up as a Christmas Tree.

AJ eating LOTS of goodies (look at Aryan in the background - I think she was mad she didn't get any. ha ha)

AJ with his teacher Mr. Stevens (AJ LOVES HIM!!)

12 - 12 at 12:00

This is the date and time we celebrated Shayla's 6th birthday. Her birthday is really the 23rd, but in order to separate it more from Christmas, we try to celebrate it early. We chose a fun theme this year (thanks to my friend Nicole - who made her daughters party much cuter then mine). Have you read that book "Pinkalicious?" Well it's about a girl who eats too many PINK cupcakes and actually tuns PINK. So........
That's what we did. We had a VERY PINK party. The PINK cupcakes turned out so cute!

Shayla dressed up her most beautiful PINK outfit.

And so did all of her friends. From L to R: Ashlinn, Erin H., Lauren, Shayla, Sammy, Erin J.

We served lunch consisting of all PINK foods. Strawberry bagels, with strawberry cream cheese, strawberry applesauce, and PINK lemonade.

We read the book "Pinkalicious."

Aryan painted all the girls' nails a wonderful shade of PINK!

We played "Pin the Cherry on the Cupcake."

Made cute PINK wands.

And she opened her gifts. I think her favorite was the PINK Barbie.

We then ended our day with a Hockey game to see the Blue Jackets play. Masood got VIP tickets so we had box seats and the kids surely enjoyed that (minus Aryan who had already made a commitment to babysit for someone). We lost, but we had lots of fun anyway and 12 - 12 - 09 ended up being a super great day!