Rad red ribbon!

Because I'm so proud and excited for him I have to share....Dad submitted his handmade willow bench into his local county fair and took second place (this was the first thing he's ever made from willow before)! Isn't that fantastic?!
Congrats Dad!
Now where's mine?

Trying out Grandpa's new bench

Splashin' around

Today we headed back to Otter Beach for another afternoon of swimming and slides. Whereas last week Ashley was apprehensive of the water at first, this week she cruised right in without a second thought. It's so much fun watching her run amuk, go zooming down the slides and splash around. She really enjoyed hanging out in the deep (translation: approx. 2.5 feet) part of the pool where she either jumped up and down enjoying her buoyancy, or grabbing hold of my fingers to practice her swimming kicks. Either way she impressed me by never once being afraid to get her face wet, blow bubbles or see just how deep she could go.
She (correction: we) has so much fun at Otter Beach! On the way home Ashley told me that next time she sees Nana and Grandpa she's going to work on convincing them to build her a splash-pool and slide at their house...

Cruising in the lazy river with Grandpa
Having so much fun with Mommy
Bouncy! Bouncy! Bouncy!
Whoops! Slippery little sucker!
Weeee! But I think this slide is too childish.....
...this slide is more to my liking!
Yaaay Nana!
Don't be scared, Mommy
I love this thing!
This slide R.O.C.K.S!
Oh Grandpa, what am I going to do with you?
Aaaaand I'm spent
Flamingos on my suit. Flamingos on my towel. I'm so coordinated it's a crime.
Sun bathing beauty

Daily visitors

If you visited our red house on the hill on more than one occasion, there are certain things you're bound to see pop up again and again. There are just certain items that Ashley realllllly enjoys no matter the day, no matter the weather.

As with most toddlers her age, Ashely is really beginning to enjoy Sesame Street. Ask Jake or I and we'll most likely be able to sing Elmo's Song for you at the drop of a hat. Who knew a little red monster with a high-pitched voice could be so entertaining to both young and old?
And of course we don't dare travel without Crayola Mini Twistables because traditional crayons are too tempting for Midget to either eat, snap into itty bitty pieces or on some occasions, both. Thank goodness the folks at Crayola have thought about these things and came up with a great coloring alternative. Lastly another daily visitor to our household are those delicious Popsicle brand Mighty Mini Slow Melts. Not only are they the perfect Midget size, but Popsicle was smart enough to add a few drops of gelatin to their recipe resulting in slower-melting treats. GENIUS!

So while we're thankful for little toys, treats and thrills that make our wild child happy, we're more thankful that we have such a fun and energetic whirlwind to enjoy these things with. Next time you come around you might as well pull up a chair, learn the letter and number of the day, color something pretty and enjoy a cold and tasty treat. Because if you do, you'll be Ashley's new bestie.

I'm melllllllting!

Maybe someone forgot to remind Ma Nature that here in the Willamette Valley we don't 90 and 100 degree days. Luckily Jake had enough when the inside of our house reached 83 degrees yesterday, so it was off to town to buy an air conditioning unit. Three cheers for Frigidaire! Hip, hip HOORAY!


Even hot and sticky I'm still adorableI'm a giiiiiiiant

Before the parade passes by

Saturday we spent the morning at Summerfest in Dallas (no, not Texas although I'm always game to go visit my gals in The Lone Star State!). It was warm, but Mom and Dad did a good job of finding us a spot to watch the parade at in the shade. I'm not sure what Ashley enjoyed more; yelling "HORSE!" every time one rode by, or picking up the candy that was being thrown!

Waiting for the parade to pass us by
Mommy n' me
Hey Shawna - it's the Wells Fargo Wagon!
Chilling in my seat, waiting for some candy
Balloooooon!
Nice wood
Picking up candy with Nana
Stealing Grandpa's hat
Playing with the sidewalk chalk
The sweetest cake you'll ever see
...not taken at the parade but at the truck pull the next day...
Popsicle princess

Pools, playgrounds and ice cream

OH MY!
Have you ever had one of those days that you never want to end: you're having so much fun, there's so much to do and everything is going great that you wish the sun would never set? Ask Ashley and she'd likely tell you this perfectly described her Thursday.
Now make sure you're in a comfy seat with your cup o' jo because such a great day resulted in oodles and oodles of pictures!
The morning started out at Osborn Aquatic Center's Otter Beach, and while Ashley wasn't instantly thrilled to be in the water, she soon warmed up to the idea and became a regular water-dog. She even shocked me by walking into the chest-deep water without the slightest hesitation. Pretty good for the midget who, at first, FREAKED when she initially saw the water cannons, buckets and sprayers. I think this was the first time I'd ever seen Ashley afraid of something and I didn't know how to react! Good thing she got over her fears quickly. As crazy as this is going to sound, I was more at ease when our little dare-devil returned!

Oh Nana, don't make me do it
...sort of looks like that stream of water is coming out of her hindquarters...
Mommy, the look on my face should speak volumes
You're wasting your time trying to get me used to this, Mommy
Oh wait! I forgot I can splash Nana. Maybe this won't be so bad?
Dang it! Nana splashes back
The slide again! The slide again! Again! Again!
Wow Mommy this is fun
Taking a dip in the lazy river
Fun! Fun! Fun!
Iced tea break
Sun goddesses

It was hard to believe she had any energy left after Otter Beach, but she certainly did! When we arrived at a little park outside of Philomath she ran around and checked out all of the playground equipment.

Teeter-totter me Mommy
Spinning around and around with Nana
Zippin down the slide
I can jump higher than you can Grandpa
Grandpa's turn to take me down the side
Even (Termi) Tater needs love

We rounded out her perfect day with an ice cream cone from Dairy Queen and a BIG lesson for me. Take note: melted vanilla ice cream isn't nearly as noticeable as chocolate. It's safe to say I learned this lesson the hard way. I'll never know what I was thinking when I ordered her a swirl cone. But I guess live and learn, right?

I already sucked the cone dry, time to move onto the bowl
Mmmm!
Say Mommy, think you can get this spot out of my dress?
Getting that very last drop
...nope, that's not some funky skin disease on my arms, neck and chins, that's chocolate ice cream...