From the ground up... our new house!

It all began this past April. We searched and searched, but couldn't find what we were looking for in a house. We wanted usable space, nothing formal, with four bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths. But we didn't have much time. Our house had sold and we needed to make a decision. So, we decided to build.

Randy's parents were so generous to let us stay with them during this process. At first, it was a lot of fun watching the house come together. When I would pick the kids up from school, we would always make a quick drive by before heading back to the John's house for the night.

The workers got used to us driving by. It was funny because when we would pull the camera out, they would start waving as Avery took pictures out the car window singing Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi".

We were always so amazed by how much things had changed by the end of the day, it seemed to be moving so fast...at first. :)

We were told between 4-6 months. Trying to be optimistic, we of course we shooting for the 4 month mark.

And then came summer... our long, hot summer! Summer started earlier than usual as far as the heat goes. And with the kids now home all day long, I started feeling more in the way. Since Shirley watches Julie's kids also, the big house started to not feel so big anymore! We tried to stay busy with camps, lessons, tournaments, house sitting for friends and a trip to Tennessee. Ed and Shirley also went on a couple of trips themselves... I'm sure it wasn't easy for them to adjust to so many people around all the time! They've really been troopers through it all and we are so grateful for all they have done for us.

Another milestone, the ground was leveled out and ready for the brick and driveway. How do you like the two-toned siding? I was so embarrassed about that! I guess they had some left over siding they wanted to use up, but I was so afraid of what the neighbors were thinking! In fact, any time I met a neighbor I always started with an apology and let them know it would be painted at some point!

Up goes the brick! It was easier at this point to go by once a week instead of every day so we could really notice the progress. The triple-digit heat kept the guys from being able to work full days. Oklahoma summers are always hot, however this year was record breaking! But slowly and surely, the house moved forward.

There were a couple of things that we were glad to see go. One of course was the two-toned siding. Another was the port-a-potty. Randy's old boss that lives down the street asked him if we were going to have indoor plumbing! So embarrassing! And the last thing was the work truck. That truck never left the driveway!

I knew once the truck left that it was finally complete! We did our final walk-through this Tuesday.

Here are a few more up close pictures of the outside. This is our back porch.

The entrance to our new home.

A closer look at our landscaping.

And my outdoor lights that I picked out. Our closing day is September 21st, so it took about 5 months which is not bad at all. We are so excited to start making memories in our new home!

Ashton's first official haircut!!

I have cut Ashton's hair once before. It wasn't a whole lot, maybe 2 or 3 inches. I wouldn't have attempted that with my other girls but Ashton had so many curls that I knew if I didn't get it perfectly straight it wouldn't be a big deal. But those beautiful curls have began to disappear, as I was so afraid they might do. And now it was time to let them all go as we got our first official haircut!!

They sat her in a little yellow Hummer and turned on Dora the Explorer, so she sat nice and still for the hair stylist.

A little hair drying and she was good to go!

But not before she got a braid and some beads to go in the braid! She chose purple. She was very excited about this fun little part of her hair cut!

Next she got to pick a goody out of the treasure box.

And finally she got her "big kid" certificate with a little piece of her hair. She really has turned in to a big kid!

WSA Tournament

Last weekend Avery and her team played in the WSA (West Side Academy) Tournament in Sand Springs. Avery's allergies/asthma had been acting up all week. I had been even waking her up every 4 hours so she could take her inhaler. Finally we got her in to the doctor Friday where she was given a shot and some Amoxicillin. I knew Saturday would be tough, but she still needed to give it her best!

Of course their first game was against the toughest team in their bracket, Sheffield United. It was really tough to watch because Avery just wasn't really in to it. She was holding her stomach, coughing, and kept putting her hands over her head. Half of me felt bad because I knew she was having a hard time breathing; but the other half of me wanted her to get lost in the game. Like I said, it was tough and we ended up losing 5-3.

After that game we had some time to rest and do a little shopping. We went to a furniture store and picked up some living room furniture and also some bedroom furniture for Avery which is what she chose to get instead of having a birthday party this year. We also grabbed some lunch and spoke to Avery about how to play hurt. Maybe all the girls got a little pep-talk from their parents because the next game they came out to play!

Avery was focused and ready to play!

They ended up winning their second game 5-0! It was a great way to end the day! We let Avery stay in Tulsa that night with one of her teammates, Peyton Winter, while we went back to Bartlesville. We really appreciated the Winters letting her stay with them. They stayed at Peyton's aunts house and had a great time. Plus she got a little more sleep than she would have if she had gone all the way home with us!

The day before was super hot! We were once again in the triple-digits as always. But a miracle happened during the night... an actual cold front! We woke up in the 60's! By game time it was probably in the 70's, but I was so cold!! It's strange how my usual favorite weather was giving me goosebumps because I wasn't use to it! I wasn't complaining though, and neither were the girls! They ended up winning that game with another shut-out, 3-0!!

Again we had a long break in between games, so Avery went back to Peyton's aunts house. But she still helped us get the kids to the car. :)

This tournament was round-robin style. Sheffield had won all their games, so the only way for us to have a chance to beat them was to have a shut-out (which you get extra points for), and to score a lot of goals. It was a great game, but we couldn't quite hold on to a shut-out. We won 5-2. It would have been nice to have a chance to play Sheffield again, but still I was super proud of our girls!

We took second place in the WSA Tournament in Sand Springs, OK!!!

The girls were given 2nd place medals and a runner-up trophy!

Avery was awesome!! After that first game, she really left everything on the field! No excuses, and she played great! Coach Godwin has been playing her at mid-field and also at defense. She's been doing a great job of taking the ball up and making plays no matter where she is, which is what he is trying to teach them.

The kids had a good time too. Between games and at half-time they would play around with the other siblings of Avery's team.

And there was a fun little park that they liked to play at.

But of course our main focus was our Avery girl!! Love ya, lady bug!!

It was a fun, exhausting weekend! We had our tent out the first day which Ashton was able to "ride" (I think I have a picture of her doing that during Austin's baseball tournaments), but the last day was so nice we didn't need the tent. No matter!! AJ still found a way to get a ride! Enjoy it while you can, little one!! The kids slept all the way home!!