Summer Update

Summer is flying by, and we have been busy having a lot of fun around here! It has been hot, hot, hot, and we have had to get creative to beat the heat!
Regan took swimming lessons and did great.  She went from being a non-swimmer to being able to do the front crawl across the pool.  I was very proud of her fearless attitude, and so was she!!

We have been doing lots of bike riding.  One day we went, and the wild flowers were so beautiful!

We have been trying to cut down on the use of electronics during the week, and that has really helped the kids to become more creative.  Ashton made up a game called "Dogopoly" (like monopoly).  It was so detailed, and provided hours of fun.

Jordan is love the extra time for "summer reading".  She can almost always be found with a book in her hands and has read over 40 chapter books just this summer!

Cole and Regan like to play with the dominoes and make all kinds of messes!  Some times we can wear Cole out enough to get him to take a nap.

Our afternoon spent on the Celebration Belle riverboat with some wonderful friends was spectacular.  The weather was beautiful and being on the river was so nice.  I love how there were flags everywhere.

We recently finished reading "Anne of Green Gables" out loud. (one of my favorites)  After finishing, we wanted to have a tea party and watch the movie.  I had forgotten that the move is over 3 hours long!  We had to split it up into 2 sessions!  Poor Cole, he always has to put up with these "girlie things"!

Only one more week left until school starts.  I can't believe it!  We are going to try to fit in a few more fun things!

Softball Season

A few weeks ago, Jordan finished her first season of Little League Softball.  It was quite an experience coming from coach pitch and t-ball...but I think she really enjoyed it, and she learned a lot.

One of the best parts is that she had a GREAT coach.

These two are so funny together...a lot of the time they don't really see eye to eye...so this was a great opportunity for them to bond and spend some time doing something they both love.  The girls are so lucky that their dad is willing to give up his precious time for coaching.  I know they will always remember it.

We spent A LOT of time at the ball field.  Ashton was such a big help playing with the little kids, and I, of course, loved the chance to visit with friends.

The girls improved a lot,and we are already looking forward to next season!!!

Our "HOT" 4th of July Week

We spent the week of the 4th of July down in Missouri...and in a word, it was HOT...in fact, it was so hot that it seemed that the whole time we just kept saying, "IT IS SO HOT!!!!" (over 100 degrees every day!)  But that didn't stop us from having an absolutely wonderful time together....just to be away, to be with family, to not have the every day pressures, to not have the phone ring, to sleep in, to read, to wake up every day and know that there was very little that HAD to be done.  It was heavenly, and we all enjoyed it so much.

We were especially anxious to get to Missouri this time because of this girl....For the first time ever, she got to spend a few days alone with Grandma and Grandpa earlier in the week.  She had a GREAT time (this girl loves farm life!)...but we all missed her soooooo much.  Cole kept saying, "I wish Ashton hadn't moved away!"  We were so happy to see her again.

Given the weather, we had to adjust our usual farm routine a bit.  The only time it was cool enough to play outside was before 10 AM or after about 8 PM.  Even then it was warm.  Luckily for us, this is what saved us....the pool!!!!

We went swimming almost every afternoon at Jerimy and Megan's house, and it was perfect.  It was so fun to be with them, and I seriously don't know what we would have done without the pool.   They were such good sports about having us lounge around their house and eat all their food, too.

Uncle Mark was finally home from Afghanistan and he had new toys for everyone to enjoy.  The Ranger was a big hit.  He even taught Ashton to drive!  Of course, Cole could not get enough of it and all things that "go" at the farm.  We had to keep keys hidden to make sure he didn't try to make a get away!

Of course, there is always time for horse riding and the kids are just getting better and better.  Ashton and Jordan both got to ride by themselves, outside of the corral, without a rope.

Riding horses is also a great way to learn about taking turns...you have to be patient while you watch everyone else!

Spending time with cousins is always so much fun...especially since these kiddos get along so well!

These 2 little gals are just the best of friends and are only 1 month apart.  They wore their birthday dresses from Grandma to church on Sunday.

These 2 kiddos keep us laughing and can be very sneaky....

On the actual 4th of July, we bravely ventured off to St. Louis to go to the Cardinals game...and yes, it was extremely HOT.  But we made it and by 8:00 PM (5th inning) it had cooled off to a balmy 95 degrees and strangely enough felt very comfortable.  When the game ended, we had the perfect seats (top row of the stadium!) to watch the fireworks that are done right next to the Arch.  It was amazing and one of the best displays I have ever seen!

It was a wonderful week...and we will remember it as being very HOT but also being full of good memories at a place that we love and with people that we adore.