Epilogue on Ramadan 2014

Life. You think you know everything. You're oblivious. You live in a dream without any awareness of what is to come. If it's meant to be, somehow you slowly learn about the unseen and the future becomes so clear. Everything changes. Priorities, thoughts, actions, ...everything. The body becomes less into itself and the soul starts to take over. Life is more meaningful. Happiness is beyond words...God is everything, everywhere.

Life is a test. Difficult for us to understand. God has not left us alone. He's always been with us. Warned us. Sent us his messengers to help us. To those truly sincere...God brings answers. What was written reveals the truth. It has always been there. Waiting for the willing. Confusion fades. And as time goes on, the closeness to the Hereafter becomes more real, imminent. We are here for a short time. All of us eventually must go. It is inevitable. It is our destiny. The hour is coming closer every day. Fear disappears. It was predetermined before we were born. We had no idea. Our decisions matter now before it's too late. Submission to God Alone is the Key.

Ali's 46th Birthday

Ali's 46th birthday fell on the Night of Destiny during Ramadan. It was a very blessed day but we were not able to celebrate his birthday on that day. So this was taken a week earlier.



So much has happened for Ali joon this year. So much enlightenment and doors have become opened.
We surround him and with our love wish him the best of his 46th year.



Arya likes to give him a hard time now and then but it all comes with the genes :) it's a small remembrance of his little self...



We got him a hammoc but unfortunately our trees cannot endure the heaviness so we had to return it. But hopefully we can do something else later :) It was a nice surprise though to see that look on his face :)




He also got 2 cooling towels and a few other nice gifts. I made him a chocolate vanilla cake with caramel and whip cream. It was late after Iftar that we ate and celebrated. A bit famished and thirsty we gave into the food and drink. :) Happy birthday azizam.

Papa's 78th birthday

We are thankful to God to see our sweet Papa on his 78th birthday.



Mashalah, it was a blessed evening.



Nana made khoresh bademjoon with salad shirazi and yummy tadik! :)




The kids played and enjoyed time together (more and more these days thank God).



And Papa got to open his birthday cards



Alhamdurelah for each and every day we have.

Arya's 6th Birthday

As you open the door to the 6th year of life, I hold my heart and watch you from a distance...



You are growing in every way..and you are becoming more firm in the things you like...




It is Star Wars now. Be it LEGO, or the WII game, Ipad, or figures. You love them all. That saga seems to stick around longer than any other I've known.



We celebrated at home with a homemade white cake (that you requested :) and enjoyed the day together.







The party we had for you was a week before...And we invited your closest friends from Kindergarten.
(Emet, Eli C., Sophie and Chloe) Emet's brother and Eli's brother also joined.
It was a pool party with the small pool we bought and rented a bounce house with waterslide fun!





You have an amazing glow about you when you are having fun and playing. I think you enjoy water very much. I am looking forward to seeing you swim in the future God willing.



Your softness makes everyone comfortable to be with you. :) Mashalah.



The theme for this year was Despicable me :) Everyone had Minion goggles and I made Minion cupcakes with Twinkies!!!



I remember the taste of Twinkies...*sigh*....



Arya got a lot of cute gifts. Legos, Star wars toys, and movies. Even a Foosball table (although that was more for Ali I think)



Unfortunately Mom and Dad did not join for this because Papa was very sick and mom had to monitor him 24/7. He is better now though (thank God).

Father's Day 2014

The handsome and dear men in our life...




We are thankful to God to have you all



We are thankful for each day we are given together



And all the memories with all of you....Happy Father's Day.

First Vacation to Legoland and Universal Studios

This year we decided to take a vacation with Arya for the first time. It had been a while that Ali and I have been anywhere, so a trip to Legoland and Universal Studios seemed to be fun :) Here's us at IHOP at sunrise. We left at 2am!!!



For Legoland we got the package with the Hotel (which was attached to the park).



There were a lot of activities to do at the Hotel.
An interactive show....



A treasure hunt in your room....in which you have to crack a code and get FREE LEGOS!



A building desk ....for the true LEGO enthusiast....



Eating like a king at the restaurant (Arya is in heaven here for the best ice cream he's ever had)



At the park, we saw so many creative things people built with LEGOS. I mean there was so much!!!!



Went on a few rides...



Checked out the miniature STAR WARS LEGO sets (This was so cool)





Visited LEGO Darth Vader!



Meet Emmet from the LEGO Movie :)



We also went in an Aquarium and got wet at the Waterpark.



At Universal Studios, we had a lot of fun on the inside rides.



The first being the Despicable Me one. This was inside the ride before we got in. Arya was so excited!!!



Evil Minions!!!



The girls...



Try on the Minion glasses...glamorous isn't it???



We saw Scooby and Shaggy :) heheh



And ate ..



There was also a tour that we took and a few more pictures I will add later...

More Parties and Arya's first time in a pool!

As the last few days of Kindergarten roll out and come to an end, we wrap up it up with a few parties. One birthday and another just for fun....

Arya, his teacher and his friends at Sophie's birthday party...It was truly extravagant...My little Pony theme



Face painting....who's cutie mark did Arya get?




Chloe and Arya take a nice pic together. She was actually the first girl he met in kindergarten.



And now with his buddy, Sophie.




Eating Cake with the man pals (good group of kids)...




And, yes, Ali was with us! He helped Arya break in to the pool. Scary at first, but super fun after that! They had every floatie you could think of!





And they ate so much candy it was unreal!

The day after we went to Bob's Close the Loop party.




With an L shaped lap pool, a tree house and volleyball court, lots of food and candy, and friends...what more would a kid want?





Arya's teacher also came and he had lots of fun in the pool with his baba as well.