Addysen's Last Day at Hope's House

Addysen has been going to Hope's house since she was 2 and August 8th was her last day there.  Hope made it a special day for her and took them to the park.  Addysen has always really enjoyed going to Hope's house, she loved playing there, she made lots of friends there, she learned A LOT there and she always felt safe and loved there.  This was a bit of an emotional day for me, as Addysen is ending this chapter and starting a new one.  She of course is excited to become a big kid and start this next chapter, so she was not emotional and Hope has seen many kids off to kindergarten, so she was good too.  But as Hope bent down to give Addysen a hug good-bye and tell her that she was going to miss having her around, the tears in my eyes started to come. But before they got a chance to fall, I got a hold of myself and enjoyed the moment. It's not like we're leaving, I will still be taking Ainsley there.  It's just that change is hard for me, and it will take me a little bit to adjust... 
THANK YOU Hope for taking such good care of my girl! 

Our first try at a picture of Addysen and Hope....look at Ainsley, she thinks she is so sneaky :)

Addysen and Hope

Tumbling

For months now, Addysen has been traveling around our house by way of somersault.  So I thought that it was time to put her in some tumbling lessons before she starts trying too much and gets hurt.  We started lessons in the middle of July and she completely loves it.  She goes once a week for a half hour lesson.  She is doing a really good job and catching on quick.  It has been so fun watching her tumble and it is bringing back so many great memories of mine.  It is fun to see your kids enjoying something you were so involved with as a kid.

Knox County Fair

This was Addysen's first year showing.  She got to show her current favorite calf, Melody.  She practiced all summer long with Daddy and Uncle Nate.  She was excited and ready to show!  However the day of the show, she was a little scared, as we expected.  Luckily, Daddy got to go into the show ring with her, and she did a GREAT job!!! We could not have been more proud of her!  It looks like we are on the road to a lot more cattle shows!

Daddy, Addysen and Melody

walking Melody out into the show ring.

look at her go!  She looks like a professional!

Good job Addysen, she's got her all set up for the judges to look at.

Cassie showing Peg

our little farm girl watching Cassie show

cutest farm girl I've ever seen!

looks like Daddy has another farm girl in training.

A big night of reading for Ainsley!

Ainsley has discovered that she can reach her books from her bed.  So when we put her to bed, she either, throws all her books on the floor, or they end up in bed with her. 

I took a picture of Addysen in a similar position when she was just over one..... take a look:

Addysen's rough night of reading 

Ainsley's Birthday!

For Ainsley's birthday, I took her to the doctor for her 2 year well visit where she got 1 shot!  (aren't i mean!)  I did feel a little bad about it, so I then took her out for a birthday doughnut at Spudos, where she ate a chocolate sprinkle doughnut, drank apple juice and then danced around the restaurant until we were ready to go. We came home, played outside, we had some lunch and she took a nap.  For supper, Addysen decided that Ainsley would really like to go for tacos.  So we went to El Rancherito for supper, then to Dairy Queen and then home to open presents!  It was a fun day, and I can't believe my baby is 2!!!

Daddy & Ainsley at supper

Ainsley and Momma at supper

Big Sis taking Ainsley for a ride when we got home from supper;)

opening presents!

YAY!  another phone!

giving big sis a thank you hug for her presents.

Ainsley's new baby

and baby bed.

I think big sis is a little jealous.

Ainsley's 2nd Birthday

Ainsley's Family Birthday Party!

The John Deere birthday cake that I attempted to make for Ainsley's party.... It turned out okay for someone with no creative talent.  Unfortunately, when I sat it in my microwave until the party started, the lights from under the microwave warmed up the microwave and melted the icing. Oh well!

Happy Birthday sweet girl!

I think she got to blow them out that time!  Daddy had to re-light them because Anna was sitting next to the cake and was excited to blow out the candles too, and she beat Ainsley to it twice!  It was funny!

the birthday girl and her family

Ainsley with her Papa and Grandma Sharon

Grandma K and Ainsley - he he he!  Ainsley didn't want to.

opening gifts! Look what Aunt Mary, Uncle Nate, Anna and Lola got Ainsley - a nice quiet toy, a drum and other musical instruments..... hummm I'm going to have a to think of a way to get them back for this :)

Ainsley got a white bear from Grandma K, which she calls her puppy.

Look at these two twinkies!  They planned to wear matching dresses to the party, goofballs!

A mini 4-wheeler from Grandma Sharon and Pap!

A mini trampoline from Grandma K!

I love this picture!  Look at those two sad faces.  They SO want to jump on Ainsley's trampoline!

Vacation Bible School

In the middle of July, Addysen went to her second Bible school of the summer.  The first one she went to was at Hope's church, and this one was co-sponsored by our church.  She has so much fun during VBS and it just warms my heart to see her having so much fun in church.

the "set" for VBS

Addysen is sitting in the front row with the other kindergartner's.

All the kids got to talk on the microphone and say what they liked most about VBS... Addysen didn't talk, she was too shy.

While the kids were singing one of their songs, Aaron and I look over and we see Hunter standing in the aisle like this... it was funny, so I snapped a picture:)

Addysen and and her buddy Ava

Addysen and and her buddy Addison

Swimming in the Cove!

 One hot Friday afternoon, after a long week, Daddy and Uncle Nate left the farm a little early to hit the lake with the kiddos!  It was a fun night and much needed for the Daddy's and the girls!

Daddy, hangin out wit Ainsley and Anna

Addysen, our little fish!

Uncle Nate and Anna!

Daddy, Anna and Ainsley ready to watch Addysen jump off the boat!

Addysen, taking a big leap off the boat!  She is becoming such a good swimmer!  She is now usually the first one to jump off the boat!  I love to see her swim!

Backwater Gamblers Water Ski Show

 In the middle of July Papa and Grandma Sharon took us to the Backwater Gamblers Water Ski Show in the Quad Cities.  It was a good show, as always!  Then we went out for ice cream, at Whitey's!  It was a fun night and the girls had a blast!

Grandma Sharon and Addysen watching the barefoot skiers

Papa, Aaron and Ainsley watching the show

3 pyramids, 4 people high!

Aaron enjoyed this part... when the show was over, the boat drivers were playing around on the boats.  With all the power on the back of the boat, they could get the boats to almost stand up in the water.  One boat had 3 motors on the back.