tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83031336496149984742024-03-05T10:34:05.898-08:00Chet and Ashley and Four Little Admirals"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." ~Hebrews 11:1Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.comBlogger904125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-81966002506976901582023-06-08T05:29:00.005-07:002023-06-08T05:29:47.900-07:00Tap, tap, tap...<p> ...is this thing on?</p><p>I'm feeling quite proud of myself that I didn't let an entire year pass before posting again!</p><p>I used a similar title after not blogging for quite a while in 2017, so why not post a link to that?! (<a href="http://chetandashley.blogspot.com/2017/08/tap-tap-is-thing-thing-on.html" target="_blank">Click here to read that post.</a>)</p><p>It's funny and strange to read what was going through my head six years ago, which is why I appreciate the blog so much in the first place!</p><p>Also funny: I mentioned a "fear" of technology in the 2017 post as a reason (ahem, <i>excuse</i>) for not posting for a while...wouldn't you know that's my same excuse today? Last summer we bought my very first laptop (I'm nearly 40 years old and have never owned a laptop!), and while it is a fantastic machine and MUCH faster than my desktop computer...I never made time to learn how to access my pictures (to post on the blog) from my new laptop. And my slow desktop computer took <i>so long</i> to upload pictures...see my predicament?!</p><p>Well. It took less than five minutes this morning to learn how to access my pictures from my new (now one-year old) laptop. Ahem.</p><p>Here are a couple of pictures to make this post more exciting:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEj9BKMU4Hhr7-rnhoSgJwZAxIwPKaK2opIMIXzME247GuWkRpCvR05TeybPWEYHOH5a2SvCTJqL-wmtC1oSpZiiphVGeo-t7erlR6RTDRQh08kUdyi-TWxqGC158yP_mIGeTmIki4q5VhwFfw-pXcunEaVOhtjJoItSx-c58CV9HQ3ksiZs9-9tOsQ/s2048/IMG_8570.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEj9BKMU4Hhr7-rnhoSgJwZAxIwPKaK2opIMIXzME247GuWkRpCvR05TeybPWEYHOH5a2SvCTJqL-wmtC1oSpZiiphVGeo-t7erlR6RTDRQh08kUdyi-TWxqGC158yP_mIGeTmIki4q5VhwFfw-pXcunEaVOhtjJoItSx-c58CV9HQ3ksiZs9-9tOsQ/w300-h400/IMG_8570.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter (it was COLD!)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaDCy4qagnrqfnv0UQSd4wnEPEYKVhG1_IW7wvq6b6GRYmB5U8UWOdx39F77drT2EPB-uV4LiMJeLqW43AEpM4p4-eko04w4h6TJ6v5zX_uEFJ3a6HkGEO8zdrHWI03CCTluqoF4bbEYSekbIMuCrKHHxOC74OJruYM19p7pC2qpstDPsGg4jTaTGVA/s2048/IMG_8883.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaDCy4qagnrqfnv0UQSd4wnEPEYKVhG1_IW7wvq6b6GRYmB5U8UWOdx39F77drT2EPB-uV4LiMJeLqW43AEpM4p4-eko04w4h6TJ6v5zX_uEFJ3a6HkGEO8zdrHWI03CCTluqoF4bbEYSekbIMuCrKHHxOC74OJruYM19p7pC2qpstDPsGg4jTaTGVA/w300-h400/IMG_8883.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother's Day (not cold -- sunny)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfsAeH2Xs40Eue4L9dEjRYS9B2MYpEJBlGDhgtYjv0yGcmUUa2MXKEbPUQ6aAUD05uy6P78KAJJdNOTbpnwKR7uaSlCu0gqvJXVjej0YyJaizcm-icM04k3jzjX9-mkp_p8Iotpa9MRUytzlJ6yjgaxBc5PDRObaE0KPQwFctt-kyyTrwZ-8PGDp-OQ/s2048/IMG_8979.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfsAeH2Xs40Eue4L9dEjRYS9B2MYpEJBlGDhgtYjv0yGcmUUa2MXKEbPUQ6aAUD05uy6P78KAJJdNOTbpnwKR7uaSlCu0gqvJXVjej0YyJaizcm-icM04k3jzjX9-mkp_p8Iotpa9MRUytzlJ6yjgaxBc5PDRObaE0KPQwFctt-kyyTrwZ-8PGDp-OQ/w400-h300/IMG_8979.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pool (Sydney and Ruthie -- in case you don't recognize them)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDY6IoZfb2mJvbPKKaPYTZ5KlRp19JTeEDB3zv1NSgYwJZSA7Y5ejhX67I5roDPoPphUVrJYdybf9pSSPTVj88FRvrqXPBHnJgGflWne2C0_d3gvoNWE2i01qMsZAt4b2EUDnJmrNiFGiqkzwldTM2jsT-OxQJ1bjiuqu2dyHqOa1O9JYPGrV7iTM9zQ/s2048/IMG_8929.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDY6IoZfb2mJvbPKKaPYTZ5KlRp19JTeEDB3zv1NSgYwJZSA7Y5ejhX67I5roDPoPphUVrJYdybf9pSSPTVj88FRvrqXPBHnJgGflWne2C0_d3gvoNWE2i01qMsZAt4b2EUDnJmrNiFGiqkzwldTM2jsT-OxQJ1bjiuqu2dyHqOa1O9JYPGrV7iTM9zQ/w400-h300/IMG_8929.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lorelei, Sydney, and Ford looking like teenagers (I guess Sydney is one)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdHv-3wr2NQO6aynN00yxJDta4hH3fM7jLNf0jytDssCGDO6_adHH3sci9bUmAWYyf9_u4fS_R4qT281jlBYWVZ98k2x_Aw1ag0-B17xqwzg9nmTq5gZxhuUqSuGc2cBLv6IBapbhA2goTG6AfuUBqbvoPeJIy7goLentSLTUr_Vcm7owTyHHf6cRtA/s2048/IMG_8960.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdHv-3wr2NQO6aynN00yxJDta4hH3fM7jLNf0jytDssCGDO6_adHH3sci9bUmAWYyf9_u4fS_R4qT281jlBYWVZ98k2x_Aw1ag0-B17xqwzg9nmTq5gZxhuUqSuGc2cBLv6IBapbhA2goTG6AfuUBqbvoPeJIy7goLentSLTUr_Vcm7owTyHHf6cRtA/w300-h400/IMG_8960.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monster (thinking he looks svelte in this picture)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I have no idea why there are so many things on the floor in the above picture, but there you have it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Time to wake up Sydney, Lorelei, and Ford. It's summer, but we still keep some semblance of a schedule.<br /><br /></div>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-16234246050944770532022-06-10T19:24:00.004-07:002022-06-10T19:24:54.749-07:00FridayWell, we had a whirlwind of a week, mostly involving me shuttling Sydney and Lorelei to and from the high school each morning and afternoon for basketball camp.<div><br /></div><div>In addition to camp, we closed on (sold) our condo Monday, and decided to paint Sydney's and Lorelei's room (which we really, REALLY didn't have time for, but there's no going back now). Ford also did a ton of chores so he could buy himself a new Lego set.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFWuR7icy5mxw2OmAkaC6Eqk3KLqzO5856xubg_ZQjzvTA8ExM_MNxttvd1U2fztk17P3KYbvNoUp-Lnds52N0qgKn-ugVBwyM00DWYZQPFIaFBF4s1aX-VVtJdKLygjN8Yakkpv-m4t9p1Vkhxqzt63KV_JegFPWDvLM6zwmPPO_vMCUGcKq5Q0J5yQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFWuR7icy5mxw2OmAkaC6Eqk3KLqzO5856xubg_ZQjzvTA8ExM_MNxttvd1U2fztk17P3KYbvNoUp-Lnds52N0qgKn-ugVBwyM00DWYZQPFIaFBF4s1aX-VVtJdKLygjN8Yakkpv-m4t9p1Vkhxqzt63KV_JegFPWDvLM6zwmPPO_vMCUGcKq5Q0J5yQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Condo Closing (Sydney was at a camp)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlDHnIvjND_QeimWYMEf9Tf0Blh8WxlDEtcHPkq-0EXoeBZBIIBeFpY6G-UHZ4YXSSRtL4K18dQOmV5SkEBntrOQjEtEi2jt5c0wEAhc14MyDD5SZfsRbpmAcA5sZFRN9X0ipjTLtCtBcfwTDcbHG0BWm8nTMsnTWSSWqO-788MoiinCeTZa8Q5G1p_w" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlDHnIvjND_QeimWYMEf9Tf0Blh8WxlDEtcHPkq-0EXoeBZBIIBeFpY6G-UHZ4YXSSRtL4K18dQOmV5SkEBntrOQjEtEi2jt5c0wEAhc14MyDD5SZfsRbpmAcA5sZFRN9X0ipjTLtCtBcfwTDcbHG0BWm8nTMsnTWSSWqO-788MoiinCeTZa8Q5G1p_w=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half-Painted Room (the blue is the new color)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdFpbS5hqqyNirYKerNQprmzTpMekiPxOXd0Wv1A9YoW5IKNWQLCopgeOEbLB4i_QqTUqVQs8u2n92mCtbYunQpn2vQA3R-JFp_Cwosse7S7LybAJggvpaVNuK5pQ0XjCVuC7n0NvY7LEFGJ6kmbET2bJe8rcxmOTa5-KJohFZdOXIEfc2nlCWN3qcyQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdFpbS5hqqyNirYKerNQprmzTpMekiPxOXd0Wv1A9YoW5IKNWQLCopgeOEbLB4i_QqTUqVQs8u2n92mCtbYunQpn2vQA3R-JFp_Cwosse7S7LybAJggvpaVNuK5pQ0XjCVuC7n0NvY7LEFGJ6kmbET2bJe8rcxmOTa5-KJohFZdOXIEfc2nlCWN3qcyQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard Worker</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>I hope you had a great week! Tomorrow (Saturday) I have an all-day homeschool seminar, during which Chet will hopefully continue painting the girls' walls. Sunday after church we will pack Sydney for church camp (she leaves Monday and returns Friday).<br /><br /></div>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-34485486833066256222022-06-01T19:02:00.001-07:002022-06-01T19:02:27.236-07:00Hello, June (and some April pictures)!<p>June is off to a good start -- the kids and I went to the neighborhood pool, gymnastics (Ruthie), and the library. Ruthie and I also picked up a (blue) paint sample for Sydney and Lorelei's room, and painted swatches all over the walls, so there's no going back now.</p><p>On Good Friday we attended a service/performance at First Baptist Church Jacksonville. This is not the church we belong to, but our friends are members and very involved in the music ministry, so we often attend special performances to see them sing. I took this picture of the kids:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg05TsnM1-8_cgdy-pMNaXIQICoSVnQOR85dwO0QTaLiOMjgAI92iTl7hAp43Ep4TIkGt0SFr7juxdv1lickAJpUirj3uYxL6XN82cNPG0pXxPx5QoSA7zQbQNWuKbJ2ULDhzBH-ej3DxZZW9PHZ8MilNC9Y6vk5STF4BXZFikDAF2CRTBlnNkVFG0l3g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg05TsnM1-8_cgdy-pMNaXIQICoSVnQOR85dwO0QTaLiOMjgAI92iTl7hAp43Ep4TIkGt0SFr7juxdv1lickAJpUirj3uYxL6XN82cNPG0pXxPx5QoSA7zQbQNWuKbJ2ULDhzBH-ej3DxZZW9PHZ8MilNC9Y6vk5STF4BXZFikDAF2CRTBlnNkVFG0l3g=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br />We took a family picture at our own church Easter Sunday (very, VERY early -- we all look sleepy, ha!):<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUD4N2Mgd4h4p6fRezmiWW1q4wHUcDEwvEorR8ybY7csXiGgbPyVynnSW4Y_C9_1ZzSNTscAg1oBSEQN_zvkY7ly-hucHl7M5GfQRfstyqzUo0GhVpq74CXyKF1Z6xy6p6-98k9CQDT8aFLpQsUjyGuQYS15VfpK4vxGNK7kqVk61Uo2bJ2kyGEnzO8g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3709" data-original-width="2218" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUD4N2Mgd4h4p6fRezmiWW1q4wHUcDEwvEorR8ybY7csXiGgbPyVynnSW4Y_C9_1ZzSNTscAg1oBSEQN_zvkY7ly-hucHl7M5GfQRfstyqzUo0GhVpq74CXyKF1Z6xy6p6-98k9CQDT8aFLpQsUjyGuQYS15VfpK4vxGNK7kqVk61Uo2bJ2kyGEnzO8g=w240-h400" width="240" /></a></div><br />After the service, Ruthie took her sweet time eating a donut whilst dancing:<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-MMmiUDgY0VeZBefGu5kMypddTpwCbrbvZVbK77MO4L3XY0MLrlKkYGSpovh7RdvRE5VluWsDipntErk3egis4qZ78WxVXdcOf-jS--zrVUC3Hb1QkycMpWpv7HuFepc5qE5VIrIl3-nZruqTLtR4QGmMaf26lRYa6sG9uZPrwKCCTwRtuo9LcXJjFA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-MMmiUDgY0VeZBefGu5kMypddTpwCbrbvZVbK77MO4L3XY0MLrlKkYGSpovh7RdvRE5VluWsDipntErk3egis4qZ78WxVXdcOf-jS--zrVUC3Hb1QkycMpWpv7HuFepc5qE5VIrIl3-nZruqTLtR4QGmMaf26lRYa6sG9uZPrwKCCTwRtuo9LcXJjFA=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibwWA0n0tSZFG7dFtJCa_4VLHWJwxWn-DYr-e1a26qJtXJ1McMw2MMdbh5Rdx-JF1HM93ZGM5I59zz8bFNOv0K0lSJE4L9tA4pnKcx4PvHrBWqobPED3NTbzZCgIzr0J-E2tqSroaSIwmLEcXSOLxVLLVmGn37O3_8jfSILOqycvFedX5nzbuJX_vG3w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibwWA0n0tSZFG7dFtJCa_4VLHWJwxWn-DYr-e1a26qJtXJ1McMw2MMdbh5Rdx-JF1HM93ZGM5I59zz8bFNOv0K0lSJE4L9tA4pnKcx4PvHrBWqobPED3NTbzZCgIzr0J-E2tqSroaSIwmLEcXSOLxVLLVmGn37O3_8jfSILOqycvFedX5nzbuJX_vG3w=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div> Chet and I didn't understand the term "slow eater" until Ruthie joined our family.<p></p><p>Happy Wednesday!<br /></p>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-49942584806487033852022-05-31T17:30:00.002-07:002022-05-31T17:30:26.123-07:00Goodbye, May!May was an enjoyable month for our family. In addition to Mother's Day, my mom and SIX of my nieces and nephews had birthdays!<div><br /></div><div>Speaking of nieces and nephews, during our recent trip to West Palm Beach our kids thoroughly enjoyed playing with their cousins. They all missed their North Carolina cousins (ALL the cousins were able to get together at Christmas), but they still had fun. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEix7sAdk9aFPCEVk8iLgaO8VXX3f1Z_9A9AZHEYf6XdtDTduoB_aVqmrTAmw5iq7g98-HgESupwIZN61-RPaXe8td-tINg_mpEKqbpgMioysnvM-NKBaC2z-pfL5dq1kcl71Ti2OlXVxVLSA9vaD9yRTE0ypmVIAkJeGcb45fQ89uOVPiP7PET47b5pfw"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEix7sAdk9aFPCEVk8iLgaO8VXX3f1Z_9A9AZHEYf6XdtDTduoB_aVqmrTAmw5iq7g98-HgESupwIZN61-RPaXe8td-tINg_mpEKqbpgMioysnvM-NKBaC2z-pfL5dq1kcl71Ti2OlXVxVLSA9vaD9yRTE0ypmVIAkJeGcb45fQ89uOVPiP7PET47b5pfw=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /></div><div>We got back home yesterday (Monday) around 3 p.m. We unpacked quickly and washed a load of laundry, then went to our neighborhood pool for about an hour and a half before dinner.</div><div><br /></div><div>Today we stayed home until we had to leave for Jiu Jitsu at 5 p.m. I reorganized some of my plants. My indoor plants only want to live in my closet (it DOES get the best light).</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHkxJxSUOnU1CrT2psSOabz57pNfH4o_Bjf24GNuHaCT8clc7h_5mXPyBOU8mKN0ahf_qpSIXMJ2LDv2ePJMnNeGmD2Ep8JoRcTc5Z2-EB39yi5AROv7OSHGC_zreq_Vba6x7IvuzcX7KFlwVWSifCgsRiQnEcyDivS92BkkxshltRLhStIZa0zAyRug" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHkxJxSUOnU1CrT2psSOabz57pNfH4o_Bjf24GNuHaCT8clc7h_5mXPyBOU8mKN0ahf_qpSIXMJ2LDv2ePJMnNeGmD2Ep8JoRcTc5Z2-EB39yi5AROv7OSHGC_zreq_Vba6x7IvuzcX7KFlwVWSifCgsRiQnEcyDivS92BkkxshltRLhStIZa0zAyRug=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div>I also have a fiddle fig plant that only wants to live in the front room that we call the homeschool room. The room has a south facing window, which means that it's also the window where Monster's cat tree MUST to go. We have become a crazy cat family, and therefore can't deprive our precious feline from a nap in the sunshine, as well as a view of the comings and goings of the neighborhood.</div><div><br /></div><div>Clearly the cat and my plants are the bosses around here.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you also had a great May -- on to June!<br /><br /></div>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-11180946291064393472022-05-30T18:46:00.002-07:002022-05-30T18:46:59.998-07:00Memorial Day<p>Memorial Day is when Americans honor and remember the brave men and women who died while serving our country.</p><p><a href="https://www.dailywire.com">The Daily Wire</a> states that it is a solemn day (it is), and people may not know that it originated with Americans honoring those who lost their lives during the Civil War. (You can read the interesting article <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/5-things-you-need-know-about-memorial-day-aaron-bandler">here</a>.)</p><p>Here is the picture posted today on my USNA class's instagram page:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtavV-mjC6NtOQ1KDwjgitaq5B-Lplr0_Q-OBETF9Cyouw1o_lXrhuIMDlt75x4HmA4aRiOHnAWNbLsqlrKVWWItxL-SVMm3l3qgvqMSc1A_YzElPHUxH_DAGrE1yxrFBT8ikMZ4G7BVLHtwbaxLi86SnXnJAyk_3Lquf9fpAUcL7aGg4HMQv1jn6Qgw/s1851/IMG_6348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1851" data-original-width="1170" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtavV-mjC6NtOQ1KDwjgitaq5B-Lplr0_Q-OBETF9Cyouw1o_lXrhuIMDlt75x4HmA4aRiOHnAWNbLsqlrKVWWItxL-SVMm3l3qgvqMSc1A_YzElPHUxH_DAGrE1yxrFBT8ikMZ4G7BVLHtwbaxLi86SnXnJAyk_3Lquf9fpAUcL7aGg4HMQv1jn6Qgw/w253-h400/IMG_6348.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-86576979765849052862022-05-29T14:47:00.003-07:002022-05-29T14:47:55.545-07:00Sunday<p>Should I mention the elephant in the room (four months since my last post) (!!!), or just carry on as if no time has passed?</p><p>Carry on it is!</p><p>Here are some happenings since the end of January:</p><p>1) We added concrete pavers to either side of our driveway in order to widen it.</p><p>2) Sydney, Lorelei, and Ford finished basketball season (they played through the YMCA).</p><p>3) The kids and I visited Crystal River, FL with friends.</p><p>4) Ruthie turned 6-years old on March 6th.</p><p>5) Sydney, Lorelei, and Ford received a promotion in Jiu Jitsu.</p><p>6) Sydney and Lorelei both passed a difficult oral exam for school.</p><p>7) Sydney and Lorelei wrote and presented final papers for their afternoon language arts class.</p><p>8) The kids and I finished the school year with our homeschool group at the end of April.</p><p>9) To celebrate #7, the kids and I visited Legoland with many of our homeschool friends (also at the end of April).</p><p>10) Sydney, Lorelei, and Ford participated (virtually) in their (Mississippi) piano teacher’s spring recital.</p><p>11) Sydney visited her friend Lucy in Mississippi for a week. </p><p>12) We drove south this weekend to visit Chet’s family for Memorial Day weekend.</p><p>More to come tomorrow (and pictures to accompany posts when I’m back on my desktop computer)!</p>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-58850471465092425482022-01-31T18:58:00.001-08:002022-01-31T18:58:44.960-08:00Then End of January!<p>Normally I am not bothered by the long, cold month of January, because my birthday is the last day of the month.</p><p>Now that I'm an adult and my immediate family has FOUR January birthdays, January flies by even faster.</p><p>UNTIL THIS YEAR.</p><p>Seriously, it's felt 68 days long, and I'm glad to see February 1st arrive tomorrow. In fact, I took down the birthday paraphernalia Saturday and put out the Valentine decorations a few days early.</p><p>However, today was still a great day, spent with the kids (Chet is out of town!) doing schoolwork, and then taking them to Jiu Jitsu and basketball practices.</p><p>The only downside to the day was when Ruthie asked me if I was eighty-eight.</p><p>Chet took this of the kids and me Saturday night (he left for his trip Sunday morning):</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjT7Grv3FDPah2eDbO_9Qak3LXiJugUzoHySb6FpnDNw7LY3zjfONjBWok7YAaTez53nQIZaXuT_8eHFjH2fPe9-2qyi-mV1uDaHnM-9vsGqZ3WQiBfSrThOlwatnctD0ckcfQrXWXGtu0_pzlSedpaAT89M5cb31tw7fVs6M7lhU5b83u6MFADPyrw9Q=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjT7Grv3FDPah2eDbO_9Qak3LXiJugUzoHySb6FpnDNw7LY3zjfONjBWok7YAaTez53nQIZaXuT_8eHFjH2fPe9-2qyi-mV1uDaHnM-9vsGqZ3WQiBfSrThOlwatnctD0ckcfQrXWXGtu0_pzlSedpaAT89M5cb31tw7fVs6M7lhU5b83u6MFADPyrw9Q=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p>Sydney and Lorelei cooked everyone breakfast, and served mine on our "You Are Special Today" plate:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitgjvyLVsqYG_Odq-e6B8MTw1eM29j8pW_LxXuTFqUj_gUgvOU8xzAmALPu60QqG_HyPK1HdqiEOLADL_IvEsW1E6utUAomNjiyIL3rHGKzHP95NsGnDA0tG-g7oZUYJeqOXGVPyuKR7YmEwG9KOvem5JsKW3MoxORdNP8egL1knnYZddRMoyd4uRHWA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitgjvyLVsqYG_Odq-e6B8MTw1eM29j8pW_LxXuTFqUj_gUgvOU8xzAmALPu60QqG_HyPK1HdqiEOLADL_IvEsW1E6utUAomNjiyIL3rHGKzHP95NsGnDA0tG-g7oZUYJeqOXGVPyuKR7YmEwG9KOvem5JsKW3MoxORdNP8egL1knnYZddRMoyd4uRHWA=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><p>Sydney doing schoolwork amidst the Valentine decorations:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1M-nWKVyI00LnAx69XWFlAkqxwSjiOiqik4HDUeFcI5fmGmznF3eyE8fpnc4Dooa7RZa5whZlrBU1jTkcUDj1BO0dNjG6M7WGiwlqlrxW2R9fQIVbUIzybK61XDevMYAlDvea0vkzXRDiZZd8O_YxAA33oR-zo-qqwJfCoVamxTl6mFqo4ZjWcMJMZA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1M-nWKVyI00LnAx69XWFlAkqxwSjiOiqik4HDUeFcI5fmGmznF3eyE8fpnc4Dooa7RZa5whZlrBU1jTkcUDj1BO0dNjG6M7WGiwlqlrxW2R9fQIVbUIzybK61XDevMYAlDvea0vkzXRDiZZd8O_YxAA33oR-zo-qqwJfCoVamxTl6mFqo4ZjWcMJMZA=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><p>Goodbye, January; welcome, February!</p>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-85825153368877997542022-01-27T18:26:00.000-08:002022-01-27T18:26:08.683-08:00Happy 12th birthday, Sydney!<p>Sydney is twelve, and she had a great day!</p><p>Here is the picture I tried to post last night, her last one as an 11-year old:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1sbm24Ld0M4r91gR4Nu8Teb3crjy0SBzylkYMVLkt9gfTAUB_GN0C7NJ8umHFm4vAbG33QkmcaQmPsGxdX4K4fHWlh6G2NDG5QFSkNPFTgFpknHu-RGGSGrb7hNmYTG9CYGE4qWnytB45rbgiLCBTF23PxDAyM3i7YQKWOVv7gX6V7bjEApB7iw9M2g=s3088" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1sbm24Ld0M4r91gR4Nu8Teb3crjy0SBzylkYMVLkt9gfTAUB_GN0C7NJ8umHFm4vAbG33QkmcaQmPsGxdX4K4fHWlh6G2NDG5QFSkNPFTgFpknHu-RGGSGrb7hNmYTG9CYGE4qWnytB45rbgiLCBTF23PxDAyM3i7YQKWOVv7gX6V7bjEApB7iw9M2g=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><p>Today was low-key, mostly because the weather was cold and dreary. Sydney and I went to the Dollar Tree and Publix (grocery store) after breakfast to pick up a few items, including her birthday dessert (which was frozen yogurt -- she's not very into sweets these days).</p><p>She also picked out a Lego balloon at the Dollar Tree:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilLtgXaGt4Ns2YTj1ivBMHICrlSHv_dqZ-yARJRnaw61Vgn_AqlXQZZIVHvnVfQZ9qeSziF9JQucMqjUT7hmfwIxNtN8wnMZARSk_Y1dcne0unKRYIWkaxPaZdzqTm8M1uHTkVxAdV_re040I5SZi_I1KsKGgnVF86EI0aIyL51W4dcZe0drbC7bJfeg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilLtgXaGt4Ns2YTj1ivBMHICrlSHv_dqZ-yARJRnaw61Vgn_AqlXQZZIVHvnVfQZ9qeSziF9JQucMqjUT7hmfwIxNtN8wnMZARSk_Y1dcne0unKRYIWkaxPaZdzqTm8M1uHTkVxAdV_re040I5SZi_I1KsKGgnVF86EI0aIyL51W4dcZe0drbC7bJfeg=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><p>She opened her cards and presents from her siblings midday:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-gc3tg8mYFac_Wm683CkPSQw59xvGHH49S9uCntf_lx5wi0nWQ0Rgedua_7U2rMY-mkbSQdyzWi8tO_MBHM3sK0gE88nNt2iSZWfUdKIXvUfiArc5KBJ2fDHtlG6rnllYWGQHXjANGW4RQmTyW4n7yvSesUhz_EM-DqpbOCxuSuYRoabuy4_88dWxQw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-gc3tg8mYFac_Wm683CkPSQw59xvGHH49S9uCntf_lx5wi0nWQ0Rgedua_7U2rMY-mkbSQdyzWi8tO_MBHM3sK0gE88nNt2iSZWfUdKIXvUfiArc5KBJ2fDHtlG6rnllYWGQHXjANGW4RQmTyW4n7yvSesUhz_EM-DqpbOCxuSuYRoabuy4_88dWxQw=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><p>She was exempt from school today because she has such a nice teacher (me), so she had plenty of time to play with Legos. Monster likes to keep tabs on such things:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6WT-OybQRLn9KMNlKVTsbTjsdm6epoZSimgUSok2JASNr8-DMUjsJVf7Dhaej-5rg9zlTK8dGxL0_3O5abjJwVcNIKuJXP9zTIRHi9NLV41KZcwSKdKAhRh-iyxoJmy7GPESahCzXdtUU62Rjl_KtonoWuWoyWn6cTWTrvbAv1MxV1QXuAKeLOE1dTA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6WT-OybQRLn9KMNlKVTsbTjsdm6epoZSimgUSok2JASNr8-DMUjsJVf7Dhaej-5rg9zlTK8dGxL0_3O5abjJwVcNIKuJXP9zTIRHi9NLV41KZcwSKdKAhRh-iyxoJmy7GPESahCzXdtUU62Rjl_KtonoWuWoyWn6cTWTrvbAv1MxV1QXuAKeLOE1dTA=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><p>I have a couple of more pictures to post, and I'll give details about what she requested to eat for her birthday meals tomorrow.</p><p>Happy birthday, Sydney! We love you!</p>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-15668244263697726592022-01-26T18:33:00.001-08:002022-01-26T18:33:02.130-08:00Last Day as an 11-Year Old!<p>Today was Sydney's last day as an 11-year old!</p><p>It's hard to believe she will turn twelve tomorrow, since I can still so clearly recall the day she was born, and the first few weeks of taking care her, our very first newborn.</p><p>I insisted she and I take a selfie at (her) bedtime, which I can't post right now because my computer is doing what it wants instead of what I tell it to do.</p><p>I can also hear Chet sighing in the other room because he wants us to watch an episode of "Parks and Rec."</p><p>I shall post again tomorrow, Sydney's birthday!</p>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-4194457160635301692022-01-25T18:02:00.000-08:002022-01-25T18:02:13.163-08:00Paper Bag<p>I know most kids enjoy playing creatively with cardboard boxes, but Ruthie enjoys playing with (in) a paper bag every now and then!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIYAhrUsBQkXjA-c74U7hJRxOFN05uyTOoab01HC7f9_-Q4fK4jx2zKtQGxPvGKPxoyvcm4bXGMGfVHz4PAKeJk-3syd7owJWeI0BghayhUEQBLKP4cBsNHk6dVs3Mz2jH5tJVBw-rkDWnbUtkjckISXby7qwePI-3snSDJLSuzfTe6etEX7N3rlKX-Q=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIYAhrUsBQkXjA-c74U7hJRxOFN05uyTOoab01HC7f9_-Q4fK4jx2zKtQGxPvGKPxoyvcm4bXGMGfVHz4PAKeJk-3syd7owJWeI0BghayhUEQBLKP4cBsNHk6dVs3Mz2jH5tJVBw-rkDWnbUtkjckISXby7qwePI-3snSDJLSuzfTe6etEX7N3rlKX-Q=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><p>She was pretending to be a dog (OF COURSE) while inside the paper bag (I'm pretty sure she was also mid bark in this picture).</p><p>Happy Tuesday!</p>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-64594983237659656572022-01-24T19:18:00.000-08:002022-01-24T19:18:18.797-08:00Nature WalkIt was still cold here today, but much sunnier than it has been, so the kids and I went on a late-morning walk. First we took a lap around our neighborhood (exactly half a mile), then continued on a trail right behind our neighborhood. (Sydney opted to do two laps around the neighborhood and then go home to finish her math assignment.)<div><div><br /></div><div>Ford wanted me to document these "fossils:"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiZDFpga6FYv3T68XRwedu5uDG9S7VA4D3XMBpXjAYIw6YgwwvcJbnK4v9hOgOCpjnM8SkondlprrGK5cduBDlSDzQ07ARKQ11B1JUF-nr9zd-cBvTONLW9z-QEngmIrZ4vura2ghBIkFySqTIFAuQXUW-UNMBuHQ44zw0E9EjUE1UR6qpcSgZ5zystA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiZDFpga6FYv3T68XRwedu5uDG9S7VA4D3XMBpXjAYIw6YgwwvcJbnK4v9hOgOCpjnM8SkondlprrGK5cduBDlSDzQ07ARKQ11B1JUF-nr9zd-cBvTONLW9z-QEngmIrZ4vura2ghBIkFySqTIFAuQXUW-UNMBuHQ44zw0E9EjUE1UR6qpcSgZ5zystA=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The children do not look/weren't very cold, and were not dressed as warmly as I was. For the record, I was wearing a t-shirt, a turtleneck sweatshirt over that, a vest over that, and a long, puffy jacket over that. I would have gladly added a hat and gloves had they been handy.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFe-cONzPAsYq7GwtCShSnxLoSvHVHVpe-7xzDwTg2UYJPJbL9uEnRiXIH9OXRIvvEPsmaBHLPVTvWdyiHx6IuJAKg27cYbrl516tCD15f7Eo7CXzxTSmgAWhutR5SpdT3xyPzmZ-Ip0kvjclZ_smoLGruLKtV_b6Qua7k_aXxmQQ-p7eMPqMhGCkOJg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFe-cONzPAsYq7GwtCShSnxLoSvHVHVpe-7xzDwTg2UYJPJbL9uEnRiXIH9OXRIvvEPsmaBHLPVTvWdyiHx6IuJAKg27cYbrl516tCD15f7Eo7CXzxTSmgAWhutR5SpdT3xyPzmZ-Ip0kvjclZ_smoLGruLKtV_b6Qua7k_aXxmQQ-p7eMPqMhGCkOJg=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>Happy Monday!</div></div>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-72960469155052382012022-01-23T18:03:00.001-08:002022-01-23T18:03:43.128-08:00Grocery Store Pictures<p>I could absolutely post about something more exciting, but seeing these pictures on my phone make me laugh, and I wanted to share.</p><p>Ruthie and I often go to the grocery store on base together 1-2 times per week after dropping off the other kids at Jiu Jitsu. (We do not live on the Navy base any more like we used to in Mississippi, nor do we live exceptionally close. But the kids' Jiu Jitsu gym is right across the street from the base -- I chose this gym for that very reason -- so I am still able to go to the best-priced grocery store without constantly having to go out of my way.)</p><p>Anyway, Ruthie loves to accompany me to the store, and often asks me questions like, "Mom, can we buy that [gigantic] bag of peanuts so we can attract elephants?" Sometimes I require her to play the quiet game so that I can think straight and get out of the store as quickly as possible.</p><p>One way to keep her quiet is to give her my phone so that she can take pictures. The rule is that she can take pictures of whatever she wants, except other people. She likes to zoom in on certain items, and sometimes chastises me for starting to push the buggy again before she has the chance to capture the perfect shot.</p><p>Here are some of her most artistic photos:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgl6OwHTn09h26MKj4gAHDRB9TNgq6Y0gHNvi0oBiVEcpeAeT2bXcERCjRLjElBimqTR-YAbTK-K5PE85_bd0EQ-Iy4d5RVws88Wot0olKAM5q-I5Vp3pZeoj6QgzM22BSj33RUXuxwFDENtmxBIsRBGoK_o1q_A86AtI-2lCHyIAxKnHOlByziO8aSCQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgl6OwHTn09h26MKj4gAHDRB9TNgq6Y0gHNvi0oBiVEcpeAeT2bXcERCjRLjElBimqTR-YAbTK-K5PE85_bd0EQ-Iy4d5RVws88Wot0olKAM5q-I5Vp3pZeoj6QgzM22BSj33RUXuxwFDENtmxBIsRBGoK_o1q_A86AtI-2lCHyIAxKnHOlByziO8aSCQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXdhaGi3uKTfxPt93BfbzF4qxCYlAW33RC95xTDu7-QfWQru-F7G3O_zjfd7EvGBQzd6SP15O_bSTQkus4MqBBpTCqIBkoDJDiEp67FGE0QX9RDBaVVrUgdHyRk4VlZtkdSq7BtDmU9INggyuEsouB1VLQPO-bhZ99igFSOaHXzekT-DkJLwydUBAhag=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXdhaGi3uKTfxPt93BfbzF4qxCYlAW33RC95xTDu7-QfWQru-F7G3O_zjfd7EvGBQzd6SP15O_bSTQkus4MqBBpTCqIBkoDJDiEp67FGE0QX9RDBaVVrUgdHyRk4VlZtkdSq7BtDmU9INggyuEsouB1VLQPO-bhZ99igFSOaHXzekT-DkJLwydUBAhag=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBEad6MCkMkRwvl-YMtTDiTuDwhhKcPxGwIF_7p7OmGnUPWWD3uwxLKdDeS8HlKqO34eZA2w2A9PCe4rO7vus8XdJA5ZJp-0Kvq1HMZ03DrYuqUaIT9pmS_t3HDZMJoI5y018EbWqTfaN21ZlY4yxDQdwqRZfAwECd5719-j0rNt8SpQxOTDf60gL51w=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBEad6MCkMkRwvl-YMtTDiTuDwhhKcPxGwIF_7p7OmGnUPWWD3uwxLKdDeS8HlKqO34eZA2w2A9PCe4rO7vus8XdJA5ZJp-0Kvq1HMZ03DrYuqUaIT9pmS_t3HDZMJoI5y018EbWqTfaN21ZlY4yxDQdwqRZfAwECd5719-j0rNt8SpQxOTDf60gL51w=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><p>I also find quite a few pictures of myself that she took when I later go through my camera roll, but I shall not post those here.</p><p>Happy Sunday!</p>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-82872962059436352512022-01-22T18:35:00.002-08:002022-01-22T18:35:42.437-08:00Happy New Year!<p> It IS still the new year, right?!</p><p>My plan wasn't to let 22 days pass in January before blogging, especially since we've already celebrated two birthdays (Ford and Chet), Sydney got braces, and Sydney, Lorelei, and Ford started their basketball seasons. </p><p>There's much to catch up on.</p><p>Speaking of basketball, Saturdays revolve around Sydney's Lorelei's, and Ford's basketball games until the end of February. The YMCA's basketball season is the entire month of January and February (I think the playoff games might be the first week of March -- if there even are playoff games). I'm very thankful for the YMCA's short sports seasons, and that they don't overlap with other sports put on by the YMCA, but we will be quite immersed in the sport of basketball for a while.</p><p>In addition to Saturday games, Sydney practices Monday nights at 7:30 p.m., and Ford and Lorelei practice Thursday nights at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively.</p><p>This particular Saturday, Ford's game was at 9:00 a.m., Lorelei's game was at 1:00 p.m., and Sydney's game was at 6:00 p.m.</p><p>Ford's team and Sydney's teams won; Lorelei's team lost.</p><p>Just typing that made me ready for bed, and I didn't even play a single minute of basketball myself.</p><p>I was telling my dad how Sydney is almost as tall as I am, and I sent him a picture today as proof:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghWwUBsXr281qpSH7V3M2rqY0VQLJlb9NIT8lZ4ejV-q_V8Hq2345zbhMjYbCG3z9w5X7P5RITvBv8i69Q48wjelilenQdiIHp_-3sLjZEkT_Pk7_Ai7IXlkExsByUvRB5h-lvaeysDYn0o2u8zujU_fqNIBm89aKZG7hdjIVAx-LAMow3PWqV2gP7cg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghWwUBsXr281qpSH7V3M2rqY0VQLJlb9NIT8lZ4ejV-q_V8Hq2345zbhMjYbCG3z9w5X7P5RITvBv8i69Q48wjelilenQdiIHp_-3sLjZEkT_Pk7_Ai7IXlkExsByUvRB5h-lvaeysDYn0o2u8zujU_fqNIBm89aKZG7hdjIVAx-LAMow3PWqV2gP7cg=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><p>It is very cold here by the way. Not blizzard cold, but definitely Florida cold.</p><p>Happy Saturday!</p>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-33569283374070418542021-12-31T16:34:00.005-08:002021-12-31T16:34:45.185-08:00Goodbye, 2021!<p>Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!</p><p>Our Christmas season was packed full of fun--too much fun to recap in this post.</p><p>Our kids have never woken up especially early on Christmas morning, and this Christmas morning they all got fully dressed before opening presents (Chet and I were still wearing pajamas). Sydney was even wearing jeans. Ford thought we opened presents Christmas night, not Christmas morning. Where did Chet and I go wrong?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgF669Rg86Z4kAihqXPpy69Q0k4YkLC6ZaqjHwYtLl-IAF7CFiLTaB3AKA-P8PWErSDR4w-u6DQQguIJpDveHUdB2uy3nzCUWekDZNeNH3NNLHptklKXzxGknIqqoOAUCQQVWEBJOrQbF55ypboQSCk-JUYMWmulf3z-cEJfOv2DLhziSwnGyuEWX59wg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgF669Rg86Z4kAihqXPpy69Q0k4YkLC6ZaqjHwYtLl-IAF7CFiLTaB3AKA-P8PWErSDR4w-u6DQQguIJpDveHUdB2uy3nzCUWekDZNeNH3NNLHptklKXzxGknIqqoOAUCQQVWEBJOrQbF55ypboQSCk-JUYMWmulf3z-cEJfOv2DLhziSwnGyuEWX59wg=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><p>The day after Christmas we drove down to West Palm Beach to visit Chet's family. The kids were thrilled to play with all of their cousins several days in a row. We drove back home this morning, and Chet's sister and her family visited our new house on their way back to their house in North Carolina.</p><p>We have yet to unpack from our trip or take down a single Christmas decoration, but that's what tomorrow is for. Right now we are going to watch a show as a family, and then go to bed (before midnight). </p><p>Goodbye, 2021! Welcome, 2022!</p>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-10412366841384279042021-11-25T17:53:00.000-08:002021-11-25T17:53:03.456-08:00Happy Thanksgiving!<p>Remember our <a href="https://chetandashley.blogspot.com/2020/11/november-thankful-tree.html">Thankful Tree</a> from 2020?</p><p>It was on my list to do one again this year, but time got away from us. So we're doing a thankful...scroll?...instead:</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AE-lW-VATAHa4nfCg6W4z2tT7RMALxseMYi5QfagVHq90jyw1jaA-OxGtfwpCfmIjiDaMLjvIaKtK3XciXhad0s-t95pG4-SDvOqcKuMLla0PmoUEFCrKnPaJ4oQw5QP1wKYkZpyrClQ/s2048/IMG_4325.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AE-lW-VATAHa4nfCg6W4z2tT7RMALxseMYi5QfagVHq90jyw1jaA-OxGtfwpCfmIjiDaMLjvIaKtK3XciXhad0s-t95pG4-SDvOqcKuMLla0PmoUEFCrKnPaJ4oQw5QP1wKYkZpyrClQ/w300-h400/IMG_4325.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p>We started it just this past Monday, so I plan to leave it up for quite a while and continue adding to it.</p><p>I also snapped a picture of this Thanksgiving-y corner of our living area:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5vrlK9-h0SDr_aCnafusT7vMB1tzEnZjz82oalLvCzBiN27GQdIu8RNwHs-KPc6lxV1dnCjnlXFFcGSNFJKHpyKbcVAuwJ7AIYDlDOVR5cpajHM9RCgBY04GI-wEVLsUnVzVCVXk1Cb6/s2048/IMG_4314.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5vrlK9-h0SDr_aCnafusT7vMB1tzEnZjz82oalLvCzBiN27GQdIu8RNwHs-KPc6lxV1dnCjnlXFFcGSNFJKHpyKbcVAuwJ7AIYDlDOVR5cpajHM9RCgBY04GI-wEVLsUnVzVCVXk1Cb6/w300-h400/IMG_4314.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p>We watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this morning:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjS7cuLa-sxmANKA7VZoe8RvCmmDeoq7EeMKh8omx2ISkyy3tEYN6K0DxKqAcGi2Dt5lD0VhQHLl-AVE-hLiU0y9reKN5HeR_n1JOCujCPKbM6Fq_zcnLgryEJc3e-KjWJm_nWiMLpylhA/s2048/IMG_4326.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjS7cuLa-sxmANKA7VZoe8RvCmmDeoq7EeMKh8omx2ISkyy3tEYN6K0DxKqAcGi2Dt5lD0VhQHLl-AVE-hLiU0y9reKN5HeR_n1JOCujCPKbM6Fq_zcnLgryEJc3e-KjWJm_nWiMLpylhA/w300-h400/IMG_4326.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p>We also went on two family walks.</p><p>Here is our table setting, including our wall of some Thanksgiving art:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18N-Jdl5aV_Rzx0cAjNZiShWCeePwNvEBYBT_mKR1hQ6JrZ-AKnVlfwTdIztb6Qw6AGEsij6rJ0xDmgSP1-OfGRwDxMFfbJnuQUcEXyLXaebmelSTDAtCxmkQMGzWr3PTQzsFuN_VQfaa/s2048/IMG_4324.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18N-Jdl5aV_Rzx0cAjNZiShWCeePwNvEBYBT_mKR1hQ6JrZ-AKnVlfwTdIztb6Qw6AGEsij6rJ0xDmgSP1-OfGRwDxMFfbJnuQUcEXyLXaebmelSTDAtCxmkQMGzWr3PTQzsFuN_VQfaa/w300-h400/IMG_4324.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p>We had all the food set up on the bar:</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBHFUdhvTxzQS9byZOv9sTbtKiGM5g8vS-m5V6QmEl2N6rRVRddn9x7T_ED2t1TBZTT9-wQSkCsQKhDjOWrddfGjQEWBDgwabcKivI6F3FzEa6G9RZC1p-DetEFezcjnsGGSbKkE_T1sl/s1665/IMG_4323.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1665" data-original-width="1344" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBHFUdhvTxzQS9byZOv9sTbtKiGM5g8vS-m5V6QmEl2N6rRVRddn9x7T_ED2t1TBZTT9-wQSkCsQKhDjOWrddfGjQEWBDgwabcKivI6F3FzEa6G9RZC1p-DetEFezcjnsGGSbKkE_T1sl/w323-h400/IMG_4323.jpeg" width="323" /></a></div><p>We finished the evening by watching "The Santa Clause."</p><p>Happy Thanksgiving!</p>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-70299539710611461682021-11-24T17:56:00.000-08:002021-11-24T17:56:00.224-08:00The Day Before Thanksgiving<p>Here is the picture of the mama duck and her ducklings, as promised:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZnZBf0TdyA-l_MyNI_boBpa6W_KOg1ZPy_QhWY_O2_ruXbKvj-k17CtdiXT0cX1VvuE9v7IhL6S1Wi5mJpizm5XQHSwBdMi83OE9LGHXg9Gi6jUoVqgGAWwM-mGT16vNl1enApWnmnAD/s2048/IMG_4288.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZnZBf0TdyA-l_MyNI_boBpa6W_KOg1ZPy_QhWY_O2_ruXbKvj-k17CtdiXT0cX1VvuE9v7IhL6S1Wi5mJpizm5XQHSwBdMi83OE9LGHXg9Gi6jUoVqgGAWwM-mGT16vNl1enApWnmnAD/w300-h400/IMG_4288.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p>This morning felt like a true "vacation morning":</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjv4JDbpasViEAMadT80gMT6Os4PRg6C9BnBz4xT1IpGm-UBuhERNZZ6DqoB1D0MHv-O7WkU7XNXxHBNn97FCSaFHYuC0MrAQat6P-aW3tMZWZZrnG4o9fd833clxLofovFyVADmz26s-/s2048/IMG_4305.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjv4JDbpasViEAMadT80gMT6Os4PRg6C9BnBz4xT1IpGm-UBuhERNZZ6DqoB1D0MHv-O7WkU7XNXxHBNn97FCSaFHYuC0MrAQat6P-aW3tMZWZZrnG4o9fd833clxLofovFyVADmz26s-/w300-h400/IMG_4305.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p>But shortly after this I had to go to the grocery store to pick up our turkey breast (I have yet to cook an entire turkey in an oven) and a few other things we needed. Thankfully, the store wasn't busy.</p><p>Chet came home early from work, and then we all loaded up and went to Sydney/Lorelei/Ford's Jiu Jitsu class. We are trying to go to Jiu Jitsu as much as possible while we can, because basketball season starts soon and it will basically take over our lives, leaving little time for extras. (They will continue classes, but will have to cut down to once or twice a week for the duration of basketball season.)</p><p>Happy Thanksgiving Eve!</p>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-5317489330079353072021-11-23T17:55:00.003-08:002021-11-23T17:55:29.715-08:00Ducklings and a Break<p>Yesterday the kids and I went to Walmart pickup. (We didn't pick up groceries, which is something I used to do often the first year we lived in Mississippi. But I've gotten out of the habit and usually do all of my grocery shopping at the Commissary on the Navy base. So yesterday we just picked up a new set of sheets and a pair of black leggings -- life's necessities, obviously.)</p><p>Anyway, the parking spot we pulled into was next to a blocked off parking space because a mama duck and her two ducklings had decided to claim it as their own.</p><p>(I tried to insert a picture, but my computer seems to be offline and not downloading any new content at the moment, so I'll have to share it another day. Hopefully tomorrow if I or the computer can find the energy to figure out how to work properly.)</p><p>The children were fascinated with the ducks.</p><p>Today (Tuesday) was our last day of our homeschool group meeting for the semester. The kids and I are looking forward to slightly slower days at home that come with this break. We are also staying put at home, just the six of us, this Thanksgiving, and we are all looking forward to that too.</p><p>Happy Tuesday!</p>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-2687832308640729032021-11-17T17:32:00.003-08:002021-11-17T17:32:51.767-08:00(One of) Monster's Halloween CostumesOur cat Monster has several costumes, and a new one is his "cat burglar" costume. So, of course, the children took his mugshot:<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu63Krvp-S5vj7Gk9vNVrBUDMf0-FfleknPP6rQ9oAEdoeCnM08ujAe9BN9VLlpvhuK1AWk2k33jGKkjxadFKtk6KAOVo0cEM-fr0xR_4x6R-h_8cQVYwbboTzt4mW6JyFvpw61AcEm0fF/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1981" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu63Krvp-S5vj7Gk9vNVrBUDMf0-FfleknPP6rQ9oAEdoeCnM08ujAe9BN9VLlpvhuK1AWk2k33jGKkjxadFKtk6KAOVo0cEM-fr0xR_4x6R-h_8cQVYwbboTzt4mW6JyFvpw61AcEm0fF/w400-h231/IMG_0511.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1o_0A8jdn26esePsVyKSpjXRgcP_M5laY0rIgp4RGHcC9CKIn8sHyXcBH5io_mZ4Yogkr-rlkqnqCUgD0kc0HYHtO7cUQPRST5rCiUTvFfE-BQWTMY8JuDA3GH713VcTccyl5yjeq5-G/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1344" data-original-width="2048" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1o_0A8jdn26esePsVyKSpjXRgcP_M5laY0rIgp4RGHcC9CKIn8sHyXcBH5io_mZ4Yogkr-rlkqnqCUgD0kc0HYHtO7cUQPRST5rCiUTvFfE-BQWTMY8JuDA3GH713VcTccyl5yjeq5-G/w400-h263/IMG_0512.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />His other costumes include: a unicorn, a pumpkin, an elf, and a referee. He also has several festive bandanas. And a bowtie.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's all thanks to Grammy (Chet's mom) that he's the most fashionable cat in all of Jacksonville, FL.</div>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-92206827299636462902021-11-16T18:34:00.002-08:002021-11-16T18:34:33.327-08:00Halfway Through November!The second half of November has arrived -- HOW?! Has time been flying by for you as fast as it has been for me?!<div><br /></div><div>It's too late tonight for me to write an interesting update, so I'll provide this picture of a ridiculous toy Ruthie saw at Target (pay extra attention to the toy's title):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8co7CWrrEgMtBFsa9v1rs0y-AftjF96JtX9mQygUxkckx7bw7KrKDqIk3s_y664vjCxFCRMVXrmA8BcuM9vtni17wjB-Z4UbUKV8t5LyIa9v-M-nYaPnK-Ky9ht4jvt1NQ9Dg40zKJEga/s2048/IMG_4207.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8co7CWrrEgMtBFsa9v1rs0y-AftjF96JtX9mQygUxkckx7bw7KrKDqIk3s_y664vjCxFCRMVXrmA8BcuM9vtni17wjB-Z4UbUKV8t5LyIa9v-M-nYaPnK-Ky9ht4jvt1NQ9Dg40zKJEga/w300-h400/IMG_4207.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>Lawd.</div><div><br /></div><div>The reason I have a picture of it is because if the kids see something in a store they claim they can't live without, I allow them to take a picture so that we can all remember to add it to a future birthday/Christmas wish list.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nine times out of ten they forget about it, THANK GOODNESS.</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Tuesday!</div>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-40997811094457042002021-10-31T17:37:00.001-07:002021-10-31T17:37:25.975-07:00Happy Halloween!<p>It was not my plan to post only once in October...but it was a busy (fun) month!</p><p>(I will do a catch-up post about Lorelei's 10th birthday, which was October 17th.)</p><p>Our first Halloween in our new house/neighborhood was a good one. There weren't a TON of trick-or-treaters in our little section, but it was still fun and our kids collected enough candy to give them at least five cavities apiece.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZewkZVD-LVUqlpaxL33hKTcVsycZS8bmSTd6-TUYUJ9ORPkH1t_xQc_HXQVtus2MO3D9gd_hdjy2itb0lE8VWTtPj3K51GWN18M_g6mMZ1JXgH0MCKY1S6fs04C4MNibRQbesrFvC9dCa/s2048/IMG_4177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZewkZVD-LVUqlpaxL33hKTcVsycZS8bmSTd6-TUYUJ9ORPkH1t_xQc_HXQVtus2MO3D9gd_hdjy2itb0lE8VWTtPj3K51GWN18M_g6mMZ1JXgH0MCKY1S6fs04C4MNibRQbesrFvC9dCa/w300-h400/IMG_4177.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>It was Sydney's and Lorelei's idea to dress up like bottles of Gatorade. Sydney even made the "Gs." Ruthie chose not to participate.</p><p>Happy Halloween (and on to the best day of the year...November 1st!)!</p>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-20304340767177359552021-09-30T20:04:00.003-07:002021-09-30T20:04:48.303-07:00Goodbye, September!Is it just me, or did September fly by?<div><br /></div><div>It was a good month for us. Here's a random picture of a pretty sky and our back porch which looks weird because it was in the middle of getting re-screened:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlczUwX-tWqtYDvxRYuNkyd2HPTAiyHsCScMnGr1XDSea7mSokk1PpXZaAxoiLht93_Izoai1NgbZIETtfT-8_94xp5Za7qDHFfiVXqxOR_vQ-IJ-GPyAdJ8kknmmaF_wnIPWMmj3-C4PS/s2048/IMG_3898.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlczUwX-tWqtYDvxRYuNkyd2HPTAiyHsCScMnGr1XDSea7mSokk1PpXZaAxoiLht93_Izoai1NgbZIETtfT-8_94xp5Za7qDHFfiVXqxOR_vQ-IJ-GPyAdJ8kknmmaF_wnIPWMmj3-C4PS/w300-h400/IMG_3898.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>On to October!</div>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-54158928493160474092021-09-29T18:30:00.000-07:002021-09-29T18:30:25.296-07:00Jiu Jitsu Promotion<p>I probably haven't even mentioned that Sydney, Lorelei, and Ford take Jiu Jitsu. They started in July shortly after we moved here, and we usually go Tuesdays and Thursdays each week. The Jiu Jitsu gym is right across the street from the Navy base, so it has actually worked out quite well with me often dropping them off and Chet picking them up on his way home from work.</p><p>This evening they received their first promotion:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdoy6WGUUALvdLNB4pRDY8Wrz1FYjLJDUbD7ULB2qprLEtXHAs7r65cYfMu2LcpM6W1OV4AxIguSyVAkwtqG700zsd5d3RDCJDWkwIsMF4iKShHEqd-uZO32WzT4EV8eMMenVzlt3Srk9/s2048/IMG_3900.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdoy6WGUUALvdLNB4pRDY8Wrz1FYjLJDUbD7ULB2qprLEtXHAs7r65cYfMu2LcpM6W1OV4AxIguSyVAkwtqG700zsd5d3RDCJDWkwIsMF4iKShHEqd-uZO32WzT4EV8eMMenVzlt3Srk9/w300-h400/IMG_3900.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Then Ruthie joined the group and was having trouble not being silly:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2h8Qx58Vr0K-TyerETe6kLP-GVCPDCPIy3_C8HLfbs9fv2WhR0e3FE7RSWLTdUVCut1LNTlVf2Jc4DFkTRdCfVLl1cdyTmrdPtBU3Q_zfAvbalj6S46tMf5DdYiBydMbpiXrke_naEmH/s2048/IMG_3909.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2h8Qx58Vr0K-TyerETe6kLP-GVCPDCPIy3_C8HLfbs9fv2WhR0e3FE7RSWLTdUVCut1LNTlVf2Jc4DFkTRdCfVLl1cdyTmrdPtBU3Q_zfAvbalj6S46tMf5DdYiBydMbpiXrke_naEmH/w300-h400/IMG_3909.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Which Sydney, Lorelei, and Ford took as a cue that picture time was over:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlg4N6LRvisomaUa8sRvuAwQiGyFOmOwOg4zx2PrH8iGHbnfe8E8fOkkONisPfGqT34qVpX9IFB6Hw9OUMXinG6QlYFnxo2OwLPBXzyqt2YqRRCjKGFilVupiMrAy10SWpfW6NzPXm-EF/s2048/IMG_3915.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlg4N6LRvisomaUa8sRvuAwQiGyFOmOwOg4zx2PrH8iGHbnfe8E8fOkkONisPfGqT34qVpX9IFB6Hw9OUMXinG6QlYFnxo2OwLPBXzyqt2YqRRCjKGFilVupiMrAy10SWpfW6NzPXm-EF/s320/IMG_3915.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Happy Wednesday!</p>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-31917178544295706302021-09-28T16:51:00.004-07:002021-09-29T10:14:33.964-07:00College Cat<p>I know I haven't posted any house photos, but trust me when I say Sydney and Lorelei's' room is the very coolest. They call it the "college dorm," and Monster likes to hang out in there with (or without) them:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieEnpN98-kgouZF6XBC2PYKUrgnY-Bn8CsV-CMxQL2ORTYAHmzduFGR0mW8D2DOPmxgx0Bs-7NAF4awAJ4UIsaDoKk5SWqBTHanHAfY2_SYPoNTHDR9LYz_uDXckKLtXvf1AtrC-xKxzUY/s2048/IMG_3857.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieEnpN98-kgouZF6XBC2PYKUrgnY-Bn8CsV-CMxQL2ORTYAHmzduFGR0mW8D2DOPmxgx0Bs-7NAF4awAJ4UIsaDoKk5SWqBTHanHAfY2_SYPoNTHDR9LYz_uDXckKLtXvf1AtrC-xKxzUY/w300-h400/IMG_3857.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Yes, that is a fold-up loveseat in their bedroom. Lorelei draped the blanket she crocheted over the back. They also have a fancy shared desk, but I'll post pictures of that (and the rest of it) another time.<div><br /></div><div>Happy Tuesday!</div>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-74777955647350744502021-09-27T18:21:00.001-07:002021-09-27T18:21:28.474-07:00A Furry Student<p>We had a furry student join us for our read aloud time at the breakfast bar today:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErGGsmMV9x206CmDm18hHPuX_Wi3CGLZ-IIAtOAyvHodqkUE-r4scSyLaNdXinqAB1W10OitFHRBATcvVrmrtIuJOX8WqK47srGe1UuofkT4J65fjEUqptpVidWSSVHY84cwiyemISvLE/s2048/IMG_3892.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErGGsmMV9x206CmDm18hHPuX_Wi3CGLZ-IIAtOAyvHodqkUE-r4scSyLaNdXinqAB1W10OitFHRBATcvVrmrtIuJOX8WqK47srGe1UuofkT4J65fjEUqptpVidWSSVHY84cwiyemISvLE/w400-h300/IMG_3892.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Also, why does Ford look sixteen-years old in this picture?</p><p>Happy Monday!</p>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303133649614998474.post-42150122234712276792021-09-26T18:04:00.003-07:002021-09-26T18:04:42.741-07:00Picture from Dinner<p>Here is a picture from dinner last night:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoyz0bufpCkAUJ2JCias0x_etRV4NkJ1tMtX2Tg74dIdA5TQZsH6dW0izLGKarmjJS5QyowjPaydFc_4jEYEFcoft2i8hJbrk_S2UFRLo76fH7XdIKdvkOW3cKJvEAJrBQt5e-t_HTeIi/s2048/IMG_3878.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoyz0bufpCkAUJ2JCias0x_etRV4NkJ1tMtX2Tg74dIdA5TQZsH6dW0izLGKarmjJS5QyowjPaydFc_4jEYEFcoft2i8hJbrk_S2UFRLo76fH7XdIKdvkOW3cKJvEAJrBQt5e-t_HTeIi/w400-h300/IMG_3878.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Please notice the green bandana (with price tag still attached) Ruthie is wearing around her neck like a cowhand. She picked out from Hobby Lobby just before arriving at the restaurant.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy Sunday!</div>Ashley Wyckoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908379805803811779noreply@blogger.com0