Crazy Horse with Girl Scouts

This year I volunteered to be a Girl Scout Leader for Gracie's Troop.  She's in her junior year and one of the outings was the Crazy Horse Volksmarch.  It's one of the two times that the public is allowed to get that close to the monument.  We had a great time and South Dakota was on it's best behavior.  It wasn't too cold nor too windy.   Perfect day for a hike!  

E & G Time

Lexie and Eli couldn't have been blessed with better siblings than Ethan and Gracie.  I know that as their parent I can be bias, but the way that they care and love them is beyond sweet.   They never complain about our family or the crazy things that we have to do to accommodate the younger two, they honestly just go with the flow and will even over explain their diagnosises to the point that people lose interest way before they're done.  Eric and I had to learn how to cope, where as it comes natural and unquestionable to them.  They don't know any other way and it's lovely to watch.   

How awesome that all they know and see is love.  

Whenever Eric and I get a chance, we like to take Gracie and Ethan out for a little fun just them. This day I took Gracie for a little Mommy Daughter time and Ethan and Eric went hunting. 

Pizza and Beer

I know that these pictures are grainy and blurry, but Eric and I love them regardless.  

There's nothing that we find more fun or relaxing than when we can get away for a couple of hours to just talk and breath.  This night we had a squadron function to attend, but afterwards we snuck out to our favorite beer and pizza spot for some downtime.  

Love that we can still have the "just us" moments. 

Buffalo Ridge Labor Day Adventure

Three day weekends are the best weekends and we sure know how to celebrate them.  We loaded up the car with our kiddos and everything but the kitchen sink for a Labor Day Adventure.  We met up with our sweet neighbors, The Becks,  at Buffalo Ridge Camp, where the kids had fun exploring, playing games, climbing the playgrounds, riding the miniature train around camp, and swimming ~ in a too cold for me~ pool.   They had fun, the adults had fun and by the end of it, we all were dirty and exhausted.  Typical 3 day weekend with the Ashes! 

I do have to mention that this was our first camping trip since Eli has figured out walking and I can't stress this enough.  Camping with a crawler is nowhere near as fun or as clean as camping with a walker.  Best part of the trip hands down! 

Gracie loves her sunglasses 

We take Duck, Duck, Goose very seriously in our house! 

iPhone pics: 

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Love her and all the moments we get together!