WHAT A WEEK!!

Let's start from the beginning....

Last Saturday was the kick-off to a new flag football season. YAY, Ayden. He caught everything that was thrown to him, deflected a pass while on defense, and put the heat on a few guys who were trying to protect their flags! It was a lot of fun for us as well as Ayden:)

By the looks of my little urban cowgirl you can see we had some special plans in mind for Saturday afternoon. A woman Jason works with invited us to ride her pony. It was like Claire's dream come true...literally. She LOVED every second and can't wait to return.
Ayden took a shot on the pony when CLaire was willing to give her up! It wasn' t easy. Claire insisted she walk with the horse while Ayden rode, because she just couldn't stand being any distance from Ishy (the pony). He didn't seem to mind and let Claire do all the talking:)
Although Ayden liked riding he wasn't quite as enthused or impressed as Claire who continually talked, patted, praised, and smiled at Ishy. It was too darn cute.
By the end of the afternoon she was "on her own" with Ishy. GOOD JOB CLAIRE! She was really willing to try something new without any fear and OODLES of confidence. THANKS so much to Karen for introducing Claire to riding. Now for the big question, "Daddy, when can we get a pony?"

I am skipping ahead to Tuesday, only because the beginning of the week had a few WHOPPERS! However, Tuesday was incredibly exciting as Claire earned second place in the 1/2 mile run held through our rec. center. She raced other 2nd grade girls and did a FABULOUS job.

NOW, if you look closely you will notice why Sunday was a doozy. Ayden broke his arm while using a stool to reach the string to his ceiling fan. Yep, it wasn't the trampoline, wasn't his skateboard, basketball, football, biking.....it was a stool:( Sorry kiddo.

IF that weren't enough, our good friend Tyla took a spill on her skooter Tuesday afternoon and broke her knee cap! What is happening on Hampden Rd? Wrap your kids in bubble wrap this week...I have a feeling the next few weeks will be interesting as we try to play cast friendly games/activities in the neighborhood! These are the memories we will laugh about later, right?

Lots of Activity!

AHHH! What a beautiful weekend...nothing too scheduled, nothing too strenuous, just relaxing and lots of fun! It really doesn't get better than being with my family:)

The kids have wanted to visit Lancaster County Skate Park for quite some time so today was the perfect day to do it! The skate park is pretty big, a little intimidating and totally ours...almost no one else was there:)

Like I said, it was pretty big! Especially depending on your perspective!!

It's a good thing these kids don't have confidence issues:P

They just gave it their best shot!

Ayden was truly in his element.

He aspires to be an expert skateboarders someday.

I think he is off to a good start!

Claire did a little rollerblading AND skateboarding!

She is pretty darn good at both:)

Everyone became VERY brave into the afternoon.

Of course, Jason had to show off some of his "moves". Let's say just it was entertaining!

Among the arguments they may have, I have observed Ayden and Claire becoming each others friend and support system:) I don't think there is anything greater for a parent to see!

When we are not trying something new, we are squeezing in our favorite Summer Activity...SWIMMING.....with two of our favorite kiddos, Trent and Eli (my nephews).

Swimming just isn't swimming without a good battle!

Last but not least, this week has brought the first day of the 2010 school year! The girls in the "hood" were ready to go 20 minutes ahead of time! RIDICULOUS!

They can't spend too many hours apart without going through withdrawal!

Ayden had other things on his mind...

when is recess, when is gym class, and how long is the bus ride again?

These are pictures that we will keep forever... what a good group of kids. I feel so fortunate to have neighbors that appreciate each other! These kids couldn't be more different but are all able to get along and have fun! Cute, cute cute!

Family

This Summer has flown by...but it was not without pictures! My Grammy is moving from her farm, so it was the perfect opportunity to take family pics. We took SO many variations and combinations of families within our family!! I just chose a few to share!

No family is without chaos...especially this one!

Grammy and Pappy and there many grandchildren and great grandchildren were together for a group shot....at last!!

Here is the more immediate family you are all familiar with...My mom, Dad, sister and family!

LIKE I SAID, no family is without chaos! This is Jason's side of the family...we had to use the timer on the camera for the very first time! I think it went quite well!

I THINK WE GOT IT! There are more "good ones" but I like this the best because it includes everyone's sweet-feet!

And, well, this picture just sums it up!

NEW RECORDING ARTISTS......

This week the kids went to a real recording studio where they were able to perform two piano pieces that they had prepared for the occasion. Mrs. Stoltzfus, their piano teacher, implemented a great incentive plan this year that required the kids to earn points through perfecting songs, practicing and "extra credit". If they reached their goal they were given this very special opportunity to be a part of creating a CD with Mrs. Stoltzful and their fellow students!
"The Camp", the production studio(www.camprecording.com), is located in Hershey/Elizabethtown. Mr. Sudor was fabulous as he engaged the students with all kinds of interesting facts about the recording process. If he weren't so good at production, he could easily have been a teacher:)

Only the student and Mrs Stoltzfus were in the piano room when recording. The rest of us followed Mr. Sudor to watch him record their songs!
Everyone did a spectacular job! I seriously mean they all did GREAT! I am so proud!

We even learned quite a bit about sound editing! It was really so cool!
The kids (and adults) ALL learned so much. What a unique experience for these budding musicians! THANKS AGAIN MRS STOLTZFUS!! https://kcspiano.musicteachershelper.com/

LAKE KEUKA - we miss it already!!

I will not even try to add captions to all of the pics I took...and these are only a portion of them! We had SOOOOO much fun at Keuka Lake, NY. My great-Aunt MaryJane, and great-Uncle John brought two of their grand-daughters making our vacation even better than we imagined! Words cannot describe how much fun we had skiing, swimming, tubing, talking, fishing, eating, and being entertained by our talented children...we are so fortunate to have a family that enjoys being active, enjoys being together, and enjoys laughter (a lot of laughter:)

You will notice that MANY of the pictures are of the girls...needless to say Claire was in heaven being with Ashley and Madison. The past week gave her such a dose of girlishness which she LOVES...it isn't easy being the only girl out of her first cousins! The bond is still so great with her distant cousins. They had so much fun sharing a room, doing their hair, teasing the boys....the list goes on and on!

Ayden is a definite dare devil on the tube! When the wake and waves aren't bouncing him, he gets on his knees and bounces it himself! All the kids are such "fish"...they are naturals in the water! The big boys LOVED tubing with Ashley since she is the "expert". Claire, Eli and Maddie enjoyed swimming off the boat! Maddie became pretty brave on the tube as the week went on...good for you, girl!

Our bathing beauties!

Oh yes, even the "old guys" got up on skis! WAY TO GO DAD!!

My mom was feeling adventurous and took a spin on the tube! I think I was more nervous than she was...when do children start worrying about their parents rather than the parents worrying about the child? Funny how that happens without anyone noticing!

I don't know if there is anything Aunt MaryJane disliked on our vacation. It was so fun to see her smiling and laughing at all of our silliness!

One night the adults were treated to a talent show put on by the kids! We really have some talented children!

Many acts were imitations....Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Elvis....oh yeah, and the girls imitated two "cool guys", Ayden and Trent. It was pretty darn funny!

The Hoe Down Throw Down!!

A ventriloquist act...I bet you can't guess who the dummy is!!

Dancing is definitely in their blood...and self choreographed none the less! Watch out "America's got Talent"!

Good buds Ayden and Eli put on a pretty great boys hip hop number! Hip hop isn't quite Trent's thing, but he was an excellent stage crew!!

This was Ashley 90% of the time!! She is an expert tuber!

Our resident fisherman, Trent Douglas!

Our resident goofballs, Ayden and Jason!

I thought this captured Uncle John doing one of his favorite things...just enjoying the Lake!

The girls just having girl-time!

We miss you guys...and we missed you, Jordan(Ashley and Madison's sister)! Maybe next year?