The Noriega Family

I am so glad that we signed the girls up for Girl Scouts this year.  Natalia and Sienna both loved it and I think it was a really good experience for them.  

Sienna had her last meeting; most of the girls in her troop are in Kindergarten and will be with her again next year.  It is a nice group of girls so I am happy that she is excited to do it again.  

Natalia had her last meeting and an activity at an amusement park.  Most of her troop is moving up and hopefully they will have a troop for her next next year because she really enjoyed it to.  She had great leaders; we will be sad to loose them.

Flag Day at Newington Forest is one of my favorite things the Elementary school does.  The Kindergarten to Second graders sing around the Flag and it is so inspirational.  All the kids sing out with so much gusto and they are singing the most patriotic songs about God and our Country and I just love it.  If feels extra special because we live in such a diverse community, yet events like this and education really bring everyone together.  

I also found out that one of the Kindergarten teacher's husband works at the Pentagon.  He briefs the Chief of Staff every morning and on Flag day he always starts his report with the video of the Newington Forest kids singing around the flag.  Apparently it is quite a hit at the Pentagon.

We are so proud of Natalia for making the decision to follow Jesus Christ by being baptized.  It was a beautiful ceremony and such a special day for our family and especially Natalia.  Natalia was baptized by Hector and we were so pleased to have so many people that we love there to support Natalia.  Natalia has been looking forward to baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.  She was ready and I think she felt really good about the whole experience.  Aunt Krystale gave her a journal and she couldn't wait to write all about her Baptism.  I am so proud of her.  

After the ceremony we spent some time with everyone that came to the baptism.  Natalia felt so special and loved.

I think this was Luke's first baptism, because he was super sad after watching Natalia get baptized.  Anthrea asked him why he was sad and responded, "Because Natalia died."  He was much happier a few minutes later when he saw her.  He came and sat by her for the rest of the service.  What a cutie.

Natalia's two best friends from school and their families came to the baptism.  It was so nice having them there with us.  Natalia has picked wonderful friends.   

We just finished another soccer season!  The girls really enjoyed it.  Sienna was really aggressive this year.  Unfortunately, her team did not really have a coach.  It was kind of a mess and rather frustrating from the parent perspective, but she still loved it and we are so proud of how hard she works.  

Natalia did a really good job to.  She had a nice group of girls on her team and they all seemed to have fun playing soccer.  Natalia is ready to try a different sport.  

My little Natalia is 8!  I cannot believe how fast time is racing; it seems like just yesterday that she was a little baby with chubby checks and the roundest head we had ever seen.  

We had so much fun celebrating our Natalia.  She picked bacon for breakfast, because that is her favorite thing.  She loved the game Q-bits, so she got her own set  and was so happy.  Then we had soccer games in the morning.  After soccer, three of her buddies came over.  We played at the house, made friendship bracelets, ate pizza, opened more gifts and then headed to the pool.  The girls all had so much fun in the water.  We took the Unicorn cake with us and shared it with even more friends that we ran into at the pool.  

We played more games when we came back from the pool ( I think Natalia ended up with three new games on her birthday) and then we put some really worn out girls to bed.  It was a super fun day and I just love having a day all about my birthday girl.  

Natalia is an awesome eight year old.  She is smart and kind.  She is a good friend and a great big sister.  She helps around the house but loves to sneak away and read.  She is funny and goofy in all the good ways and so much fun to spend time with.  Happy birthday, Natalia.

We celebrated Natalia's birthday on Saturday, but her actual birthday was a Thursday.  We surprised her after school and took her and best friend, Abbey who had to miss her birthday party, to the trampoline park.  We all had so much fun jumping and Natalia thought it was a great birthday surprise.

I also sold another cake the same day as Natalia's party, so I was making two cakes at the same time.  They both turned out cute.