Where the heck did July go...and August is 1/2 gone.

Wow, any further delay and I could have missed July and August blog updates!

For several weeks before the sandal season started, I began asking Ashley if I could paint her toes. She wasn't interested. Then Daddy's softball games started and we started seeing our friends at the games each week and Maddy and Violet always had pretty toes. Then to my surprise on June 28th, Ashley told me she wanted her toenails painted and with a flower like Mommy's pretty toes. So I set up her little Elmo chair on the kitchen floor and we began painting her toes. I told her she had to sit very still and she waited so patiently. We then painted her fingernails and again she sat so patiently while they were drying. Not even a smudge! When I told her she could get up she said she wanted to go look in the mirror and she ran back to my bedroom to look in the mirror. Then she ran into her bedroom and stuck her hands between her crib rails getting her fingernails right in front of her little kitty (named Chloe) eyes and she said, "look Chloe, pretty nails!" Then she grabbed teddy bear out of her crib and went running to our family room. She sat teddy bear on our couch and laid him down and said "put to bed teddy bear" then "want juicy?" then "Come with?" Just like her mommy does. (Occasionally when Ashley wakes up in the middle of the night she wants some juice and then she tells me she wants to come with to get it. Then we sit on the couch and snuggle for a few minutes then back to bed. It's funny... because I am writing memories from the end of June, I sit here amazed at how much has changed...we no longer get juice before bed or have any juice in the middle of the night now that we are actively potty training. She still asks though, as if she's teasing me or testing me.

Here is Ashley on the 4th of July wearing a pretty new sundress from Grandma Sue.


Matt and I took Ashley to her first parade on July 4th. We were joined by Grandma & Grandpa Johnson and Auntie Angie, Uncle Erik and cousin Jessica. We went to the annual Forest Lake parade. This was very nostalgic for me as my mom brought us kids up to the Forest Lake parade every year for many, many years. We would be joined by many cousins and our grandparents and then we would go to great grandmas house for a picnic afterwards. Great grandma's house used to be right on Broadway...now it is White Castle.

Ashley LOVED all of the candy and mini donuts and fun trinkets she got from all of the floats. The Forest Lake parade had over 100 floats...or I guess they weren't all floats but over 100 participating cars with politicians, firetrucks etc.

The afternoon of the 4th we joined our friends at the annual 4th of July BBQ at the Carlson cabin. It was there that Ashley enjoyed her first time down a big inflatable water slide. She also enjoyed swimming in the nice shallow clean waters of Green Lake. Evening quickly approached and we prepared her with a glow in the dark necklace compliments of the Carlson's and then we cooked S'mores over the campfire and watched the fireworks all around the lake - all of these things her first time experiencing them. We didn't get home until after 11pm and she did so good. She talked for days and days about April's party, fireworks and S'mores. It was a great day.

Snuggling by the campfire, wearing our glow in the dark necklaces.

To kick off the Karl Oscar day festivities, we participated in the Karl Oscar Days Kiddie Parade with a group of our friends...all with the last name Johnson. Pictured is a few of the Johnson kids. Ashley as a princess, Henry as Captain Hook, Jada as a cheerleader and Violet as Tinkerbel with a mustache like the Captain. For those of you who have never been to a kiddie parade, the kids are the ones who walk and pass out the candy to the on looking parents and grandparents. They had a blast.

At the end of the 2 block parade the kids replenished with juice boxes and cookies.

July 17th we took Grandpa and Grandma's RV to the Interstate Park for a night of camping with our friends the Brooks'. We had planned for both of our families to sleep in separate RV's, but the park only had 1 spot available so we all packed in to our RV - 4 adults, 2 toddlers and 2 dogs. Other than the late bedtime for the girls and the clickity clicking of dog feet on the linolium all night, it was very fun. Ashley now understands that rule of campfires. If there is a campfire, there is also marshmallows and chocolate. She loves chocolate.

Daddy & Ashley at the campsite.

Ashley & Maddy enjoying S'mores! Just look at these big girls in their camping chairs eating S'mores.

We didn't have to check out until 4pm from our campsite and we were right on the river so we spent some time lounging as Ashley & Maddy threw rocks into the river.

Ashley discovers the raspberry bushes at Grandpa & Grandma Johnson's. I had a bucket and showed her the ropes of raspberry picking but she didn't get a single raspberry into the bucket. She ate every one she picked...plus most of the raspberries I picked too.

On July 24th we went to support Grandma Sue in the Relay for Life walk. We made it for the opening ceremony and then stayed until the lighting of the luminary bags. It was an amazing event filled with lots of emotions. This was another event Ashley talked about for days. We referred to the event as Grandma's Party Relay for Life. On Monday the note from daycare stated Ashley loved telling stories about jumping in a castle (inflatable castle) at Grandma's party. She also told her teacher that Grandma came over to go swimming. By this she was referring to her Grandma Terry who had come over to go water skiing. Ashley watched in amazement from the boat as Grandma Terry skied on one ski and sprayed up all that water. I was so impressed when I got the note from daycare as everything she had talked about was a real event from her weekend. She now talks about her weekends. WILD! My baby is no longer a baby.

July 29th, I left for my annual girls weekend. Before I left we went to daddy's last softball game. Before we went to daddy's softball game I snapped this adorable shot of Ashley. Yes, those are hot pink cowboy boots..also known as cowboats if you ask Ashley.

My big girl.

What else is new? Well be sure to check back soon for some very exciting milestones that we have made in August but first we must catch up on July... Ashley loves to play peek a boo. She puts her hands over her eyes (and peeks through the gaps in her fingers) and then pulls her hands down from her face and says "peek a boo" which is then always followed by her saying, "want to play again"? Ashley also likes to play hide and seek, although she just likes the suspense of it. She doesn't understand who is hiding or who is seeking but she loves to hide in what ever spot I just used as my hiding spot. As I mentioned, we have been actively potty training which has made for some very funny moments in the bathroom with her. I discovered that when she goes number 2, she puts her arms out in a tight flexed position and then makes the funniest pushing face I have ever seen. She now can recreate this funny face even if she isn't going #2. On July 30th, the note from her teacher Molly at daycare stated the following: Ashley is starting to become quite the actor. She is now trying to fool me when it's nap time. She is trying to squint her eyes shut and breathe heavy to make me think she's asleep. Then she peeks her eyes open to see if I'm still next to her. Funny!

She is so much fun. We laugh and play and snuggle and this is just a wonderful age.

And June is almost gone...

I know I said this in my last post too, but I just can't get over how fast time goes by. Where the heck did June go?

Here Ashley is looking over the kids menu at the Dinnerbel. I just thought she looked so cute, "reading" it over and deciding what to have... it was like she was a pro at eating at restaurants. For me, it was a nice treat to get to eat out and we enjoyed eating out on the patio. Best part about it was I didn't have to do any dishes or clean up any thrown food mess!

Back at the end of May, Ashley's cousin Jacob and Uncle Dennis stopped by for a quick visit. Jacob and Ashley are 17 months apart to the date.

We went over to help Grandpa and Grandma put their pontoon into the lake. The pontoon was completely beached because the water levels have gone down so much but our boat and Matt's determination were able to get it back into the water. We then took our boat to My Burger to get dinner. It's so fun to be able to boat over to a restaurant to eat. Ashley is usually good about taking pictures but this day she was being a stinker and wouldn't look on purpose.

Here Ashley is all dressed up on her way to Maddy's 3rd birthday party. It was princess themed and the kids could come in costume if they had them. We scored her princess dress at a garage sale for $2!

Ashley loved playing dress up and to this date still asks if she can wear her princess dress to Maddy's house.

Ashley enjoying a few of Maddy's toys.

Left to right: Maddy, Ashley, Henry and Gracie posing in front of Maddy's princess cake. YES, that is a real cake, created by Maddy's mom Sheli. It was an amazing cake and a real fairy tale kind of birthday... which was topped off by Maddy receiving a real horse from her Grandpa and Grandma. I've since informed Sheli that their family can continue to come to Ashley's birthday partys but that we could no longer come to Maddys because we can not compete! :o)

Ashley and Daddy at Urgent Care. Ashley had been complaining for a day and a half about her ears hurting so we took her to urgent care. The doc said, "well, she has a low grade fever (99.2) and her ears are blocked with wax so I can't see very well so lets just treat her." I thought about kicking him in the shins and asking if he had children but instead left and decided to wait it out for two days until our scheduled visit with our ENT doc unless her conditions worsened. I was happy we did because the ENT doc said - no ear infection. I asked about her constant runny nose and he said he'd just chalk it up to calling it chronic rhinitis....meaning she has a chronic runny nose but is other wise healthy, growing and happy.

I've taken a few days off from work here and there since the weather has turned nice and we joined our friends at the Big Marine park in Washington County. It cost $5 to get in and it was a blast. The kids loved playing at the beach and in the water and having a picnic lunch and then playing at the play ground. It was a fun day!

Ashley loved this bee at the big park.

Last weekend we were invited out on our friends house boat. Here Ashley and Daddy sit at the table as we were moving down river towards the sandy beach we planned to spend the day at.

Ashley applying her sunscreen.

Violet, Jada and Ashley resting and watching Tinkerbel on the houseboat.

Ashley swinging in the hammock swing at the end of a sun filled day on the beach with a great group of friends.

As you know, Ashley has survived her first two years on hand-me downs. Above is a video of a different kind of hand-me down. A bike! We have had this bike since Ashley was just a little baby and we pulled it out of the rafters this spring as the weather warmed. The first few times we had to help Ashely onto the seat and we would show her how to peddle but her feet could just barely make it around with the peddles. Within a few weeks and only a handful of attempts... this happens. She kicks her leg over, gets situated on her seat and takes off. She was SO proud and so were we! I just happen to have my camera and captured it on video.

Summer days means...corn on the cob! Here Ashley tries her first shot at corn on the cob. She was very excited about the green giant corn cob poker dealios.

She quickly learned the side effects of corn on the cob... corn kernels stuck in her teeth!

Yes we live on the lake but we set up a little pool for Ashley to swim in. It's clean, depth controllable and doesn't contain any rocks or weeds. She loves swimming and splashing.

Ashley posing in an adorable hand-me down outfit.

Ashley Jane - 2 years and 3 months old.

What else is new this month? Well, I am pretty sure that I have mentioned what a change we have seen in Ashley's vocabulary since she turned two. It's just so fun to have conversations with her. Here are a few stories from last month. Story #1- On 5/31 after I gave Ashley a bath, she had to go potty. So, I sat her on the potty stark naked and she did her usual tinkering around before actually doing her business. Because of this lallygagging and her being naked, she started to get cold and got blue lips and then her lips started to quiver. She looked at me with the most puzzled face and said "what lips doin' mama?". I sat for a moment and thought to myself that these are the kind of moments that really make me wish I could record every moment so as not to forget a single memory. Story #2 - 6/1 we took Ashley fishing for her first time (and I didn't have my camera!). She caught her first sunfish and was thrilled. Once we got back to our dock, there were 30+ geese on our neighbors shore. We watched them for a few minutes then I told her to say goodnight to the geese and she said goodnight. Then I told her that the geese said they loved her. Once I got her in bed, I told her mommy loves you, goodnight. She then said something that I didn't understand. She repeated it...she said, "ducks love me?". My reply- yes, the ducks love you too. Her memory is amazing! Story #3 - 6/3 Ashley had been in bed and quiet for at least 20 minutes when all of a sudden I heard her start talking. I listened through her door and this is the conversation I heard: "I want chicken nuggets, please. Go buy some? OK!" Now the funniest thing about this was, she was by herself and and chicken nuggets aren't even something we normally have. Where do they come up with these things? It was so funny.

Almost June...

Is it just me or do the days just seem to be flying by. I can't believe my last post was April 5th. It seems like I just posted it two weeks ago. Here we are and it is almost June!

Grandma Sue, Ashley and cousin Jessica

As the weather started to get warmer, we wanted to spend every minute we could outside enjoying the warmth. Ashley and I have taken a liking to eating picnics in our yard.


These days, Ashley's crib barely has room for her to sleep. She has about 10 stuffed animals in there with her. As you can see from this picture, she falls asleep snuggling with them or sleeping on top of them etc.

Ashley looking like she is ready for her first day of kindergarten. I just think she looks so big in this picture!

Ashley with her cousin Dougie. Believe it or not, Dougie let Ashley play with his beloved Nintendo DS and was trying to show her how to play.

Family photo in the Conservatory at the Como Zoo.

Sunday May 3rd we went to the Como Zoo with the Brooks family. All 7 of us piled into Sheli's mini van. We arrived at the zoo around 10:45 and were amazed at how many people were already there. It was a beautiful sunny Sunday. We ate picnic food for lunch and left for home around 2:30. Ashley zonked out on the ride home.

The Brooks Family

(Maddy, Allie, Sheli and John)

Ashley and Maddy checking out the Koi fish. I just think this picture is so cute! No one told them to lay down on the ground next to each other to get a better look, they just did it. Too cute!

This is a picture of Ashley once we were home from the zoo and she woke up from her nap. She just looked so cute wearing her sunglasses (upside down of course) with her messy hair from all of the sunscreen.

We've now switched into size 3T. It's fun to have all kinds of new hand me downs to put her in.

Ashley got gardening gloves from Grandma Terry. She's such a little helper and was thrilled to help me pick up rocks on the beach and put them into her own bucket.

I traveled to Chicago May 14-15th for a work conference and did a little window shopping during our free time. I went into the Disney store for fun and just had to buy Ashley another pair of sunglasses...they were only $3 and they had mini mouse on them. Ashley LOVES them and now when we get into the car she asks me for her sunglasses... both pairs...and she wears them both at the same time. This picture she actually had them on the right way (not upside down).

Over Memorial weekend, we borrowed Sue & Larry's RV and we went camping with a group of friends up in Gilbert, MN. Gilbert has state park land that is for off road use for dirt bikes, ATV's and Jeeps etc. The pictures never quit do the obstacles justice but this is a sample of what the terrain looked like. Seems this picture could be in a jeep calendar or advertisement somewhere. The weekend was a lot of fun- great weather and great friends.

Unfortunately, our jeep had break failure which resulted in us rolling over. We were not hurt and we were very lucky we didn't roll completely over as we stopped just shy of the edge of a small cliff. Upon arriving back at camp, the guys spent the rest of the afternoon attempting to fix the jeep to get it back on the trails. They were successful and Sunday we were back on the trails (minus a windshield and with some other temporary fixes). I spent a lot of time walking the trails on Sunday and tending to my anxiety. :o)

What else is new? Ashley's vocab expands by the day and now includes phrases etc. She says whoopsie daisey when she drops things which just cracks me up. I am also amazed by her memory and find it fascinating to watch these changes in her. She remembers people and can associate people with their kids etc. She remembers things we did last week. She knows if things have been moved or are missing from the place the used to be. It's awesome.

No new updates on the house selling. It's still for sale. Urgh!