Saturday, August 17, 2013

Summer Photo Dump series... #5

Camping at Mahoney State Park


Our home away from home... the tent.



While Tom and I were putting up the tent, the littles confidently
 proclaimed they would make a fire with sticks.


They were successful.  (No, those cigarette butts aren't ours.)


They enjoyed cooking on their (enhanced) fire later.


We hiked up to the observation tower.
  You can just see Ashland on the horizon.


This nearby tree just cried out to be climbed on.


 We hiked through the woods and pretended we were using our survival skills.


Later, our travels took us through a beautiful botanical garden.


The prairie areas had beautiful wildflowers like these coneflowers...



... and all of these other colorful beauties!


Can it really be camping without miniature golf?


That was fun... on to the next activity!


Trail riding!

Excited first time riders!


 Finally, here come the horses...


 ...and away we go!



Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Summer Photo Dump series... #4

The Puppy

So, we got this really cute little Boston Terrier puppy named Belinda.  She is joining our other two Bostons and three cats.  And that's all I have to say about that.
















Sunday, August 4, 2013

Summer Photo Dump series... #3

Ashland Stir-Up Days

Every July, our town has a festival called "Stir-Up Days".  There are lots of activities surrounding the event throughout the weekend.  There are numerous "feeds" for lunch, breakfast and dinner; a street dance for grown-ups, a pool party for teens, a car show, an art show, carnival games, eating contests etc., etc.... our favorite event is the Stir-Up Days parade.

Thomas waiting downtown for the parade to appear.



Right after the opening color guards come the fire trucks!


Sarah was one of the many little girls performing their cheer/dance camp routine at the parade along with the
 Ashland-Greenwood High School Spirit Squad.



Candace and Sarah after their parade performance.



Here come the antique tractors!


Nicely groomed alpacas... why the heck not?



Horses



Crop sprayer... it's a rural area.



Heavy construction equipment...
 Anna's friend's dad owns this business.  :)


No parade is complete without Shriners in antique cars...


or Shriners in tiny cars...


 or Shriners in go-karts...


 or Shriners on tandem bicycles.


For a nice quiet activity, we enjoyed the art show at Saint Stephen's... Nebraska's oldest church building.  Alas, it no longer has a congregation and is maintained by the Historical Society.


The kids created sidewalk art at St. Stephen's.



 Candace creating her masterpiece.



 Technically not a part of Stir-Up Days, but Thomas did take swimming lessons all week.  He's a natural.


Friday, August 2, 2013

Summer Photo Dump series... #2

The fourth of July with cousin Meredith

We brought niece Meredith home with us from Indianapolis to stay for a few days over Independence Day week.  We had fun riding the boat, swimming and of course, blowing things up.

 Sarah IS America's Next Top Model.


 Candace


Anna and Meredith


Meredith and Thomas


A very patriotic family

Anna and Meredith after retrieving their parachute guys.



 Thomas caught his parachute guy in this bucket... nice catch!


"Expecto patronum!"... note sparks flying from the wand.



 Sparkler fun


 Trash can fireworks staging area.


 Appreciative spectators


 Sarah


Anna in perfect wand dueling form.