It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood

So, we've been in Henderson for almost 10 months and in this house for almost 8 months. Moving into a house was exciting and terrifying and awesome. One of the big worries I had was that we'd move into a place where either there would be no LDS peeps to be friends with or that the ones there wouldn't want to be our friends, either because we are too cool for school or because they are all older families (not old, just older). Well, within a tenth of a mile, there are 8 families that are LDS, which is really cool. DJ is definitely the youngest by about a year, but he is probably the most popular. Often, there's a knock at the door and there are three or four kids, aged 3 to 10, asking if he can come out and play. How cute is that! The neighborhood kids think he is just the coolest thing, and they think Deg and I are pretty neat, too (probably because when you ask Deej to play, that means either Deg or I play, too, and I often bring a treat out with us). He is mobbed with hugs and snuggles when we see any of the families around us. One of the girls even told me that if I'd let her babysit him, she'd give me massages, food, and she'd pay me $5. Seriously - if she was a year or two older, that'd be the best deal ever!

Beyond Deej having neighborhood friends (admirers, stalkers, whatever), I have made some really awesome friends, which is so important as a stay at home mom. It can get lonely all alone all day, so it's been fun to have these fun ladies around me who both invite me to do things and who agree to come with their kids to take a dip in the pool. (Maybe that's why people like us? Whatever, I'll take it!) When we need something, there is always someone willing to help, and it's fun to have adult women to talk to. They've even got me training for a half marathon with them. I know, I'm crazy - I'm running for the social repercussions!

I am so glad that we moved here and that we have such cute friends who make us feel so wanted and so welcomed!

This group of girls frequents my doorstep, wanting to play with Deej, and all of them have offered to babysit him. Maybe in like 6 years, ladies!

One evening, they taught him how to ride a bike.

This crew showed up on my doorstep one day to see if Deej could play. They took him on a sweet scooter ride.

They think Deg is awesome, and when he pulled up from work, they begged to get in his cool convertible company car. So we took this pic to send their moms. Obviously people should send their kids to my house!

They all want to take DJ for rides on all of their scooters/bikes/etc. This is a shark board, and even though DJ's face doesn't show it in this particular shot, he was loving his life.

It's blurry, but you get the idea - they do whatever they can to make him laugh. This particular crew saw us from down the street the other day and literally came running to us and screaming, "Deej! Deej!" He reacted by flailing his arms, laughing, and talking in whatever language he uses. Had he not been in a baby carrier strapped to my chest, I'm sure he would have run (and therefore, fallen on his face - we're working on it!) to meet them.