Week(s) in Pics: July 1-24

Another super long post...which means we had some super busy weeks! Have I ever mentioned just how much a really love summer?!

This is an "oops" on my part...these pics should have been added in the June post! I wanted to go ahead and share them because it is just to important to leave out! We had a baby shower at my house for my sister Julie and her soon-to-be baby boy, Elijah! There are lots more pics of the baby shower in my facebook albums...feel free to take a look!

*I try to take some new pics of the girls for my walls every year. We waited to long into the summer and the thought of dressing up the girls and taking pics in this heat just about makes me faint! Lucky for me, I did manage to get Syd's finished before the heatwave took over!

* I found a monkey in the trees! It was pretty cute so I decided to keep it!

*I also found 4 excited girls ready to shoot off some fireworks! They spent the afternoon messing around down at the pond...just eyeballing the sunset!

Their lack of patience got the best of them, so we decided to fill in our time with some parachutes! They lined up and prepared to dominate this battle.

The 3 youngest got theirs first...they where quick and ruthless!

Since Madi was the one with the lit punk...she waited to get hers last...plus there was no one left to trip and elbow out of the way...makes things a bit easier! I guess we had good timing, because once Madi chased her chute down...the storm clouds rolled in and it started to pour!

We did manage to squeeze in a fountain or two a couple days later!

*The girls found themselves housebound because of all the rain and flooding around! Housebound girls makes for one insane bound mom!

To keep peace in this world...we put on our boots and old clothes...and headed out in the backyard for a little nature walk!

The girls had a blast exploring around...splashing in the little creek that is usually dried up.

We spotted lots of woodsy little things and got to play around the old train track tunnels that are on our property!

At the end of our trail, we got to see what all the rain had been doing! We came out of the woods to our pond below the hill and was surprised to see a MUCH bigger pond!

*We have been able to do more fishing this year!

On this particular outing...I noticed lots of things. For one...the different ways each of the girls fish! Sydnee is an "over-the-head-cast-with-all-my-might" fishergirl! The bait usually doesn't get to far from the bank...but it keeps her entertained!

Abbie is our animal lover...so it doesn't surprise me that she takes fishing serious...one hand on the handle...one on the reel...both eyes on the line! It must pay off, because she smokes us all when it comes to the final fish count!

Callie is a one-hander fisher. I guess she needs the keep the other hand free for all the funky dance moves she comes up with!

Maidson isn't there for the fishin'....it's all social for her! She is usually hollering and squawking at the twins to take the fish off her hook! I thought I taught her better!

I have also noticed other things....like for instance...Mark doesn't like to be all cuddly while he fishes...can you imagine that?!?! Since I am an antagonizer....I pick these times to share my love!!!

Once the fishing trip comes to an end...we load up our catch...and welcome them to their new home...our little pond! It's great to send the girls out to catch supper!

*We had a very important date this month...a very important number...and a very important little girl!

Yep...Sydnee turned 5!!! We had a surprise party at the house ...her face was priceless when she walked in the door! It doesn't take much to impress kids at this age!

She got a lot of goodies and had a great time...even though the only thing she asked for was for me to dress her up like Taylor Swift!!!lol The humidity didn't allow for lots of curls, but she was on cloud nine! WE LOVE YOU SYDNEE GRACE!♥

*What to do with a hot day...lots of kids at the house...and a net?

Bound to get some water volley going!!!

*Our nephew Cody has been spending lots of time at our house this summer. He makes it his mission to see how much he can irritate Madi before she morphs into a wild animal and attacks!! She asked him to go play basketball at the court uptown...I'm thinking she wish she had never asked! It is such a pleasure having him around....especially in public!!!

*We decided to take a little overnight trip....loaded up and headed to Tulsa!

Madi and Cody each got to take a friend...as you can see, they had a groovy time!

We spent some time at Indrecible Pizza...great buffet! We all enjoyed go carts, bowling, mini golf and lots of other games!

The next day we headed to the Tulsa Zoo...we discovered that a July afternoon of about 100 degrees is a great time to go...NO CROWDS! We still have a fun time...Madi has more pics on her facebook of our little 2 day adventure!

Week(s) in Pictures: June 1-30

The start of our summer vacation...a full calendar of things to do and places to be!

*Does one ever get to old to be in awe of bubbles? If they weren't to messy... I would buy them in bulk...keep the kids busy for awhile!

* I think our dogs...Cooper and Mollie...are thrilled to have the girls home for the summer. Now they get to venture off the driveway since their is no longer a reason to have to sit...wait...and look sadly down the drive for someone to get home!

Silly Girl + Silly Dog = 100% Puppy L♥VE


* All the dirt work and seed planting is starting to be worth the hardwork...there is signs of grass in front of the house! Just give me a couple months time and I will be cursing the stuff!!!!

* I don't think a day goes by without the girls casting a line into our pond by the house! It is full of bass...and other little creatures that give me the goosebumps!!!

* Like every year for the last 7 or so years....we gear up for ball season! This is the twins first year to play Pee Wee Softball and they did great! Both got to go to Allstars and received medals! Madi played for the Little League Softball team and also had a great season! She filled in for the Babe Ruth Softball team and really enjoyed the faster paced games!

Madison played shortstop...she is quick and has a good arm...perfect position for her!

Callie played 3rd base. She did a great job when she wasn't trying to easedrop on the other teams dugout!!!LOL

Abbie was my ball hero....catcher! Let me tell you...that is one HOT job in the middle of summer! She did awesome and never complained a word! I can still see her walking back to the dugout...red as a beet...and smiling the whole way!

Madison was asked to be in the Little League AllSTAR game. There was 20 girls picked from various teams and they all got together for a fun game! It was a great way to get to know the other girls from nearby towns...girls that she will be playing in school sports! She now has several new "facebook" friends...I guess that can be a good thing?!?!

Here are the girls that represented Longton Ball Association before the game....

....and after! Madi ended up adding 4 trophies and a medal to her collection!

*Now on to the other side of softball....BASEBALL! My nephew Cody played his last year for the Little League team. He is the catcher...and does a great job. I didn't get to watch as many games as I would like (played same night as the girls!)..but was impressed the times I did get to watch! He has a few homeruns under his belt...he doesn't let Madi forget!

Once again...I really admire the catchers! Can you imagine sitting most of the game in this position??? It pains me just to watch! Well....not as much as it pains me to think about his poor momma having to wash these WHITE pants after every game!!!

*Not this just goes to show what a great daddy the girls have! Mark (and friends) spent Fathers Day getting the ground ready for the pool!

A couple days later...the girls where recruited to help out...and it was a hot job on a hot day!

In true Ashenfelter fashion....if we are going to PLAY together...we are going to WORK together!
.....and the job finally got done!