My Waterskiing Babies...

Last week, we got the opportunity to go to the lake with Grammy and Big Charlie for a few days of summer fun. Monty grew up with skiing as a big part of his summers, so we try to make time every summer to spend some time on the lake, which seems to get harder and harder every year. This year was really special because Caleb doesn't have tubes in his ears like the last few summers have been. (Time on the lake is really hard with tubes.) No tubes meant...learn how to ski!! We didn't know how it would really go, but were willing to give it a try.

Caleb, with help from Big Charlie, getting ready to try skiing.

After several tries, Caleb makes it up skiing. Yea, yea, yea!!!

Caleb showing us how to do it...

Ashlyn saw what Caleb was doing, and she was not about to let Caleb show her up, so she gave it a try. Like Caleb, after several tries, Ashlyn gets up skiing. Yea, yea, yea times 2!!

A little video demonstrating Ashlyn new skills...

Grammy and Ashlyn riding in the boat.

Monty showing his expertise.

Myself and the kiddos riding the sea doo.

Vacation for Caleb and Ashlyn

While Monty and I were on a Mission Trip this summer, Caleb and Ashlyn got to enjoy time at Nana and Potts' house (my parents) as well as Grammy and Big Charlie's house (Monty's parents). Usually there is one trip that we go one with our youth group friends that isn't really "little kid friendly," and this was that trip. Caleb and Ashlyn absolutely love spending time with their grandparents. Here are a few pictures of their time with Nana and Potts. (I don't have pictures of their time with Grammy and Big Charlie, yet, but will post them when I get them.)

While they visited Nana and Potts, they got to go see the Alamo (Caleb calls it the "Amalo") ...

... they rode the river boats at the River Walk ...

... baked, iced, and decorated cupcakes, just to name a few things of what they got to do.

Thanks Nana and Potts for making it a special time for Caleb and Ashlyn.

Olympic Spirit

I absolutely love watching the Olympics. Like other people, I get sucked in and watch most everything (and things I don’t like to watch, I usually fast-forward through them with the help of our trusty little DVR – I just love our DVR.) Because of the different countries that are represented at our house, the Olympics have been really fun and enjoyable at our house this year. Caleb and Ashlyn can get sucked in just as much as I do. (Caleb thinks he knows every Russian that competes.) They both play all sorts of “sports” around the house with whatever toy they happen to be playing with at the time. Out from Caleb’s room I heard him yell “He has just won the gold medal!” He happened to referring to the race his cars just participated in. Currently they are having a “Kung Fu fight” with all of the Chinese sounds that might come from one’s mouth while fighting. They like “talking China.” It has been really fun to watch them play Olympics.

Ashlyn had to sport her team spirit with the Ukrainian flag during the Opening Ceremonies while the Ukrainians were walking in. I thought it was too sweet.

Summer Update #3

This summer has held a lot of firsts for our family, especially Ashlyn. She started July off with getting an expander put in her mouth. If you know much about Ashlyn, you would know that she has had several “issues” with her sweet little mouth. This is one more “issue” that we have had to overcome. The sad thing is, she cannot eat or chew all of the things she loves like gum, suckers, and fruit snacks. She really cried with it at first, but now she is great with it. We are hoping to get the expander removed after Christmas.

Excuse the scary mouth picture of the expander.

Ashlyn also experienced her very first Fourth of July. We celebrated the Fourth with some of friends, the Tippens and Vernons (all three families have children born in other countries...7 kids...4 countries, non of which is the US). The following Saturday we went to Ashley and Josh’s house (my sister and her husband) for their annual Fourth party. Caleb and Ashlyn took advantage of the heat by playing in the pool. Way Fun.

Fourth Pics.

Another first for our family this summer was that we now into the video game world. Caleb was given, by my brother Cash, a Ni*tendo 64, plus all the accessories.

Cash taught him how to do put it together and play all of the different games. Caleb thought it was the most amazing thing in the entire world. He absolutely loves it. Thanks Cash!

While Caleb was learning about the "new" gaming system...Ashlyn enjoyed having all of Lauren's attention, Cash's girlfriend. Both kids loved have Cash and Lauren come and spend the night with us.

Summer Update #2

During the month of June we celebrate Caleb’s birthday as well as his 5th Gotcha day. These past five years have truly flown by. It has been a wonderful five years and we pray that the upcoming years will be just as wonderful. Caleb is a true blessing to our family.

We got to celebrate Caleb’s Gotcha day with Nana and Potts this year by eating out (Caleb’s choice) and then opening presents.

This is Caleb looking at his newest “Gotcha day book.”

A few days after Caleb’s Gotcha day, we enjoyed our time with my dad’s extended family. It was such a great opportunity to be with some of our family that we just don’t get to see very often. It was a very special time. Ashlyn got the opportunity to meet some of our family for the first time at this reunion.

Ashlyn listening to her Great-Great Aunt Willie Ruth.

Caleb playing with his cousins.

June is usually busy with camps, Caleb’s birthday, and his Gotcha day, but with all of its busyness, I can not skip over our sweet little dog’s birthday. Our sweet little Mik turned nine and I am a sap about her birthday just like I am Caleb and Ashlyns. There was no cake and special meal, but we did talk about it all day long.

One more thing about June, Caleb lost another tooth. He currently is missing three on top and two on bottom which can cause some eating difficulties. Talk about snaggle-toothed. We are hoping to get some teeth in soon.

Still more to come...