13 years ago
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
The first of many
This summer the theme seems to be parades and candy, and these two things have quickly become the girl's favorite way to pass time.
The parade that kicked off the season of parades was the Sheridan Days Parade back in June. I had spent the whole day at Saturday Market selling pies for my favorite people at Blue Raeven Farmstand, and I promised myself if the weather held out, I'd pack the girls up and head to the parade. Boy am I glad I kept my promise! My dad was carrying a flag in the parade for the Oregon Shriner's, and when Ashley and Natalie saw him cruise by they screeched with delight. That alone was worth it! BUT! Combine that with the special necklaces Papa tossed to them as he marched by (given to Papa by Ozone the Clown himself to give to his granddaughters), and I feared they'd pass out right there from sheer excitement.
Plus I have to mention that the girls were the *only* kiddos in our group of Shriner's women, so every.single.piece.of.candy that got thrown ended up in their bag. They spent most of the parade hunched over, picking up sweets and goodies! And let me brag on my Ash for a second: all on her own doing, she walked along and made sure she gave a piece of candy to all of the ladies watching the parade. Proud mama? Do you even have to ask?
Such lucky little ladies!
PS A note about Ozone the Clown. I'm not sure how it happened, but it seems that Ozone brings as much joy to Midget and Natty Kat's life as he's brought to mine. And that's saying something once you realize Ozone has been making me smile since I met him nearly 22 years ago. Ozone is one of the original Kader Klowns, a unit of the Al Kader Shriners. Behind the make-up he's just as wonderful, too. He's brought miles of smiles to children at the Shrine Hospital in Portland and even those that have never been there. He holds a special place in my heart. You'll always see a smile on my face when Ozone the Clown is around!
Ashley: Mommy, the firetruck isn't red. It's supposed to be red. They're just pretending to be firemen.
Well alrighty then, although I'm sure the firefighters of Sheridan would think otherwise, Ash!
Me and my all-time-favorite girlies
Waiting patiently for the parade to start
Look closely and you'll see the blue and red necklaces Papa threw to the girls, courtesy of Ozone the Clown. Talk about feeling extra special knowing you're the *only* ones on the entire route to get necklaces!
So excited to see Papa but not understanding why he walked by without stopping for a hug and kiss from his favorite Midget?
Guess who got stamped by The Red Devils? So good for the ego knowing I've still got 'it' :)
Ashley got stamped too, and then tried to wipe hair out of her eyes. Whoops.
So excited to get a frisbee!
We were invited to a dinner after the parade hosted by the local Masonic Lodge where the girls got even more attention, more candy and finally some loves from Papa. Score!
The parade that kicked off the season of parades was the Sheridan Days Parade back in June. I had spent the whole day at Saturday Market selling pies for my favorite people at Blue Raeven Farmstand, and I promised myself if the weather held out, I'd pack the girls up and head to the parade. Boy am I glad I kept my promise! My dad was carrying a flag in the parade for the Oregon Shriner's, and when Ashley and Natalie saw him cruise by they screeched with delight. That alone was worth it! BUT! Combine that with the special necklaces Papa tossed to them as he marched by (given to Papa by Ozone the Clown himself to give to his granddaughters), and I feared they'd pass out right there from sheer excitement.
Plus I have to mention that the girls were the *only* kiddos in our group of Shriner's women, so every.single.piece.of.candy that got thrown ended up in their bag. They spent most of the parade hunched over, picking up sweets and goodies! And let me brag on my Ash for a second: all on her own doing, she walked along and made sure she gave a piece of candy to all of the ladies watching the parade. Proud mama? Do you even have to ask?
Such lucky little ladies!
PS A note about Ozone the Clown. I'm not sure how it happened, but it seems that Ozone brings as much joy to Midget and Natty Kat's life as he's brought to mine. And that's saying something once you realize Ozone has been making me smile since I met him nearly 22 years ago. Ozone is one of the original Kader Klowns, a unit of the Al Kader Shriners. Behind the make-up he's just as wonderful, too. He's brought miles of smiles to children at the Shrine Hospital in Portland and even those that have never been there. He holds a special place in my heart. You'll always see a smile on my face when Ozone the Clown is around!
Ashley: Mommy, the firetruck isn't red. It's supposed to be red. They're just pretending to be firemen.
Well alrighty then, although I'm sure the firefighters of Sheridan would think otherwise, Ash!
Me and my all-time-favorite girlies
Waiting patiently for the parade to start
Look closely and you'll see the blue and red necklaces Papa threw to the girls, courtesy of Ozone the Clown. Talk about feeling extra special knowing you're the *only* ones on the entire route to get necklaces! 
So excited to see Papa but not understanding why he walked by without stopping for a hug and kiss from his favorite Midget?
Guess who got stamped by The Red Devils? So good for the ego knowing I've still got 'it' :)
Ashley got stamped too, and then tried to wipe hair out of her eyes. Whoops. 
So excited to get a frisbee!
We were invited to a dinner after the parade hosted by the local Masonic Lodge where the girls got even more attention, more candy and finally some loves from Papa. Score!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Froggy
I'm not sure who found it initially (Shawna? Jessica? Ashley herself?), all I know is that Ashley came screaming through the house, ecstatic because there was a frog on the front porch. She was so excited she could barely talk and wanted 2 things from me: 1. to go and look at it and 2. take a picture.
Take a picture? Me? Now that's just crazy talk.
Sneaking a peak - Frog Man is 2 boards up from the bottom, on the left, next to the board
You can barely make the frog out in this picture - the reason I shared this one is because I am absolutely in love with the freckle on the tip of Ashley's nose (click on the picture to enlarge it and then press your 'back' arrow on your browser to return to this blog post). I kiss it at least 1400 times a day!
Encouraging her to hold the frog gently and not "Lenny" it, like she's been known to do. :) Afterward she ran to the hose and said "Better wash these froggie boogers off my hands" Our perfect little farm lady!
Take a picture? Me? Now that's just crazy talk.
Sneaking a peak - Frog Man is 2 boards up from the bottom, on the left, next to the board
You can barely make the frog out in this picture - the reason I shared this one is because I am absolutely in love with the freckle on the tip of Ashley's nose (click on the picture to enlarge it and then press your 'back' arrow on your browser to return to this blog post). I kiss it at least 1400 times a day!
Encouraging her to hold the frog gently and not "Lenny" it, like she's been known to do. :) Afterward she ran to the hose and said "Better wash these froggie boogers off my hands" Our perfect little farm lady!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Music to our ears!
Ashley is a Swifty - has been from the second she heard the Fearless record. When she was about 15 months old and hating her car seat, I could turn on my Taylor Swift CD (a Valentine's present from my Hubs) and she'd instantly stop her complaining and dance like the wild child I try so hard to tame (a personal trait I am working hard on nixing).
When Taylor's latest catchy tune came out on the radio, Ashley was all sorts of happy. It amazes me that she remembered the tune and words after hearing it only a few times. So now when she's saying "Why you gotta be so mean?" she's actually serenading me and not hating on me. I finally caught her singing on video. She improvises a few verses with "Someday I'll be living in a big ol' city, I will, I will, I wiiiiiiiiiill." but quickly gets back to the original version.
I know you readers likely get sick of hearing me say this, but my blog = my thoughts. Deal with it or stop reading. I love my Midget! There isn't anything about her I would change, even though I catch myself trying. She's not the child I thought I was going to parent, but she's the one I was given, which is a sure sign that God loves me, wants to humble me, wants me happy, wants me loved. She's got the greatest spirit that no one will ever tame, and that couldn't make me happier or more proud.
Sing it, Ashley! Click here.
When Taylor's latest catchy tune came out on the radio, Ashley was all sorts of happy. It amazes me that she remembered the tune and words after hearing it only a few times. So now when she's saying "Why you gotta be so mean?" she's actually serenading me and not hating on me. I finally caught her singing on video. She improvises a few verses with "Someday I'll be living in a big ol' city, I will, I will, I wiiiiiiiiiill." but quickly gets back to the original version.
I know you readers likely get sick of hearing me say this, but my blog = my thoughts. Deal with it or stop reading. I love my Midget! There isn't anything about her I would change, even though I catch myself trying. She's not the child I thought I was going to parent, but she's the one I was given, which is a sure sign that God loves me, wants to humble me, wants me happy, wants me loved. She's got the greatest spirit that no one will ever tame, and that couldn't make me happier or more proud.
Sing it, Ashley! Click here.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Giddy up!
Watching Shawna play with Ash and Natty Kat, I had a hard time figuring out who was more excited and/or having more fun! Click here and see for yourself.
***WARNING*** This video will likely make you laugh out, with an added benefit of possibly peeing yourself. There really are no words that I can use to describe what Natalie is doing. As if her spastic behavior isn't enough, when told to "Hang on!" she grabs Ashley's pants and practically rips them right off her body! And I love the way Molly runs around trying to herd Shawna and the girls; total cow-dog breed coming through!
These girls are wacky. Let me rephrase that - all three of these girls are wacky! And I wouldn't have them any other way.
***WARNING*** This video will likely make you laugh out, with an added benefit of possibly peeing yourself. There really are no words that I can use to describe what Natalie is doing. As if her spastic behavior isn't enough, when told to "Hang on!" she grabs Ashley's pants and practically rips them right off her body! And I love the way Molly runs around trying to herd Shawna and the girls; total cow-dog breed coming through!
These girls are wacky. Let me rephrase that - all three of these girls are wacky! And I wouldn't have them any other way.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Nobody like Daddy!
Around our house we love Father's Day because we jump at any chance to show Jake how much we love and appreciate him. Encouraging father, loving husband and crazy guy. You'll have to look long and hard to find someone as wonderful as my Jakester!
Best family shot we could come up with - boy I'll be happy when the girls will actually cooperate with the camera!
Peek...
...a-boo!
Always have time for a ride in the hammock
Hanging out in the kitchen with the ladies
Ashley and her favorite 4-legged friend, Jewel
My loves
Grandpas and Daddy's make life good
Playing chase
Thumbing sucking combined with hair-twirling means 1 thing: bedtime
Best family shot we could come up with - boy I'll be happy when the girls will actually cooperate with the camera!
Peek...
...a-boo!
Always have time for a ride in the hammock 
Hanging out in the kitchen with the ladies 
Ashley and her favorite 4-legged friend, Jewel
My loves
Grandpas and Daddy's make life good
Playing chase
Thumbing sucking combined with hair-twirling means 1 thing: bedtime
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