Good day all, Dad checking in...
Just a quick post to wish a Happy Birthday our our little girl today. SEVEN YEARS OLD!
We just rolled in earlier this evening from our annual Christmas week trip to Western Michigan to see Ashley's Grandma, Poppa, Uncle Mark, Aunt Avery and her three cousins. As usual the trip seemed too quick to be over, but we had a nice visit - and we actually saw some real snow for the first time in three years!
It's been an incredible year, and most of the good stuff from earlier in the year was captured in my last post, pictures and all.
But in November, we got a great piece of news about Ashley's health - she's on her way a to a hopefully full recovery!! One day at a time for now, but we're very optimistic about the direction that things are headed. She's never let anything stop her and now she's been cleared for ALL types of activities - including gymnastics, which she may start in the spring.
After a "challenging" trip to the jewelry store - let's just say that there was only one employee on staff that day) Ashley walked away with pierced ears!! Mom offered Ashley a new set of "big-girl" pierced earrings as a reward for doing so well after her procedure.
She has taken on the role of "Big Sister" to Ryan with her usual level of enthusiasm. She reads to him nearly every day and is helping him along with his words and letters. Her reading is outstanding and she's above grade level - and also did really well with her other subject at the last grading period.
She has really excelled on her bike and scooter this fall, and has even showed her coordination and athleticism (with Dad on the sidelines) during her brothers' winter baseball workouts.
We're looking forward to a fun winter and we're hoping for some snow here in Harleysville soon!
Happy Birthday, Ashley!!
Love ya baby!
Mom & Dad
Friday, January 1, 2016
Sunday, October 11, 2015
FIVE YEARS Today!!! Happy Gotcha Day, Ashley!
Hi again, Dad here for a quick drive by post to commemorate Ashley's 5th Anniversary of joining our Family!
It's been a busy handful of months since we last visited, and so much has happened.
Ashley is now a BIG SISTER to her new brother, Ryan. He joined our Family in May of this year and we were so excited to welcome him to our world. Ashley and the rest of the crew made the trip to China (along with Aunt Rita) to bring Ryan home forever. She loves being a sister and loves being an older sister even more!
After a GREAT year in Kindergarten at Oak Ridge Elementary, Ashley started FIRST GRADE and she even has some of her Kindergarten friends in her class. She really enjoys school and has become a tremendous reader. She's reading well above her expected level and has been reading everything she can - even advanced chapter books!
Since her surgery two years ago, her confidence, strength, athleticism and energy have really increased. She's a very capable cyclist and scooter rider, and she's doing her best to help Ryan learn as well. We are actually looking forward to her second surgery next month, and are confident that her system has recovered to the point where she can find her new normal. We are all pulling for you!!
We visited Mexico in the spring, and Michigan this summer to catch up with Uncle Mark, Aunt Avery, Paityn, Luke and Logan. Ashley's a strong swimmer and has been working hard on her strokes - and her jumping. It seems that she'll be moving into soccer soon since that what she seems to be liking most.
All-in-all, summer was a lot of fun and was filled with activities, day trips, day camps, and lots of time at the skate park!
We just wanted to drop by for a few moments, give a brief update, post some photos and let her know how excited and proud we are of all that she's accomplished. Here's hoping that First Grade won't pass by too quickly - it's been fun watching her grow into a beautiful young lady.
Mom & Dad love you very much! So does Grandma and Poppa Wedder, Grandmom and Pop-Pop Lockhead and all of your Aunts, Uncles and Cousins! Until next time, keep it going!!
Love ,
M&D
It's been a busy handful of months since we last visited, and so much has happened.
Ashley is now a BIG SISTER to her new brother, Ryan. He joined our Family in May of this year and we were so excited to welcome him to our world. Ashley and the rest of the crew made the trip to China (along with Aunt Rita) to bring Ryan home forever. She loves being a sister and loves being an older sister even more!
After a GREAT year in Kindergarten at Oak Ridge Elementary, Ashley started FIRST GRADE and she even has some of her Kindergarten friends in her class. She really enjoys school and has become a tremendous reader. She's reading well above her expected level and has been reading everything she can - even advanced chapter books!
Since her surgery two years ago, her confidence, strength, athleticism and energy have really increased. She's a very capable cyclist and scooter rider, and she's doing her best to help Ryan learn as well. We are actually looking forward to her second surgery next month, and are confident that her system has recovered to the point where she can find her new normal. We are all pulling for you!!
We visited Mexico in the spring, and Michigan this summer to catch up with Uncle Mark, Aunt Avery, Paityn, Luke and Logan. Ashley's a strong swimmer and has been working hard on her strokes - and her jumping. It seems that she'll be moving into soccer soon since that what she seems to be liking most.
All-in-all, summer was a lot of fun and was filled with activities, day trips, day camps, and lots of time at the skate park!
We just wanted to drop by for a few moments, give a brief update, post some photos and let her know how excited and proud we are of all that she's accomplished. Here's hoping that First Grade won't pass by too quickly - it's been fun watching her grow into a beautiful young lady.
Mom & Dad love you very much! So does Grandma and Poppa Wedder, Grandmom and Pop-Pop Lockhead and all of your Aunts, Uncles and Cousins! Until next time, keep it going!!
Love ,
M&D
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| With the Natives in Cancun |
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| Ashley & Ryan in China |
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| The sign above Ashley's head is where she was born: Hubei Province |
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| 800 Feet up (in the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai) with only some glass to sit on!!! |
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| Keeping cool at home this summer |
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| First Day of First Grade |
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| Cartwheels at Logan's LAX Tournament |
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| A Wagon Ride at Cherry Crest Farm |
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| Ashley's Signature Pose - at the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor, NJ |
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| In the Pumpkin Patch at CC Farm |
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| At Longwood Gardens |
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| Looking good in Mexico |
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| With our Birthday Card for Ryan - that we photographed and sent to him in China |
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| Ashley and Charlotte |
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| With the Bros in Mexico |
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| Ditto... |
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| First Time EVER Face paint |
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| At the Great Wall, Beijing |
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| With Robert, our Beijing Guide in China |
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| About to enter the Forbidden City |
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| At Crystal Cave |
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| Dorney Park |
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| At the Mack Truck Museum |
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| Surf Dancing in Cape May |
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| An SI Cover waiting to happen!! |
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| Making Pretzels at the Sturgis Factory |
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| Making Ice Cream at the the Turkey Hill Factory |
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| At the Sprinklers in Saucon Valley |
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| Dorney Park |
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| At the Nature Center |
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| Cape May |
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| With Mom in Stone Harbor, NJ |
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| Uncle Ed's Jet's Jersey |
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| Picking up Chicks - at Cherry Crest Farm |
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Happy 6th Birthday, Ashley!! (And belated Forever Family Day!)
Hi everyone, it's been a while since our last visit, and it's time to make note of another Lockhead family milestone. Today is Ashley's SIXTH Birthday. And it seems we just celebrated her Forever Family Day, way back in October.
It's New Year's Day and we are preparing to head back home from Grand Rapids, Michigan. It's our annual family holiday trip to visit Lisa's parents and her Brother and his family. The kids always get pumped up when they know that they'll be visiting their Michigan cousins.
It's been a fun week or so, capped beautifully with Ashley's Birthday today. There was a great Christmas Eve at Uncle Mark's house, some bowling, some trampolining at SkyZone, a movie (Night at the Museum 3), and lots of other fun just goofing around.
Six years old...unbelievable. Ashley's personality is really beginning to emerge and she's doing super at Oak Ridge Elementary in Morning Kindergarten. She's a good student and really enjoys school - even though it's only a short day. She's gaining a lot of confidence every day and is looking forward to First Grade in the fall. She's reading very well, and her writing skills are also coming along. We could not be prouder of her.
She'll be needing a new bike soon as she's mastered 2 wheels, and she's excellent on her scooter. Her daily objective is keeping up with her brothers!! She's a very special part of our family.
Happy Birthday from Mom, Dad, Kyle and Dylan (and all of your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.)
Here are a few recent photos...
It's New Year's Day and we are preparing to head back home from Grand Rapids, Michigan. It's our annual family holiday trip to visit Lisa's parents and her Brother and his family. The kids always get pumped up when they know that they'll be visiting their Michigan cousins.
It's been a fun week or so, capped beautifully with Ashley's Birthday today. There was a great Christmas Eve at Uncle Mark's house, some bowling, some trampolining at SkyZone, a movie (Night at the Museum 3), and lots of other fun just goofing around.
Six years old...unbelievable. Ashley's personality is really beginning to emerge and she's doing super at Oak Ridge Elementary in Morning Kindergarten. She's a good student and really enjoys school - even though it's only a short day. She's gaining a lot of confidence every day and is looking forward to First Grade in the fall. She's reading very well, and her writing skills are also coming along. We could not be prouder of her.
She'll be needing a new bike soon as she's mastered 2 wheels, and she's excellent on her scooter. Her daily objective is keeping up with her brothers!! She's a very special part of our family.
Happy Birthday from Mom, Dad, Kyle and Dylan (and all of your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.)
Here are a few recent photos...
Showing her guns at Ringing Rocks Park in Upper Bucks County, PA
Ashley's FIRST EVER Face Painting - a Butterfly - in late summer.
On a Fall Hike on the Wissahickon Trail
Hiking, too...
Modeling her Pool Robe Birthday Gift!
A quick family shot at The New Wedder Home in Grand Rapids
Oh look, I think those are the Frozen Sisters!
Earlier tonight, with her Birthday Cake...
Ashley and one of her favorite cousins, Paityn.
Modeling a new Hair Tie this summer...
Christmas at the Lockheads this year...
Posing with Uncle Sean at the Lockhead Christmas
That's all for now...
We'll post again shortly (hopefully...)
Friday, June 13, 2014
Graduation - Good Bye Goddard School; Hello Oak Ridge!!
Thursday June 12 was Ashley's Graduation Day at Goddard School.
I am speechless - the Goddard Family has been part of ours for a little over SEVEN YEARS. Ashley's last day(s) were weighed down with the realization that it was "the end of an era".
It all started with Kyle's first day - when I can remember, vividly, leaving him in tears with Miss Tracy. (That was a really difficult day for both of us.) Then, seeing the look of pure relief on his face when I picked him up that afternoon was priceless.
Over the years, Kyle, Dylan and then Ashley went on to experience so many "firsts" that I can't keep track.
As Dad, my memories are in the rear view mirror - literally. I can remember looking in the rear view mirror of the car during our morning and afternoon drives to see Kyle; then Kyle and Dylan; then Kyle, Dylan and Ashley; then Dylan and Ashley; and then finally just our little Ashley. I'm certain that there were days when it rained and some when it snowed - but I'm afraid I can't recall many of those. I can mostly remember their little faces on the clear days - as the morning rising sun, and the afternoon setting sun lit them just right. The years seem to have flashed by as if in a movie trailer - too fast, and leaving me wanting more. It really hasn't hit me yet that I'll never make that drive to Goddard school with students anymore. We'll only be guests when we have the off-chance to visit.
I'll miss herding them all across the parking lot to start their days. I'll miss signing them in to the most comfortable, secure and nurturing place we could imagine for them. I'll miss their excited voices telling me about their activities as I gathered their stuff from their cubbies. I'll miss signing them out in preparation for the trek home. I'll miss so many things... Truly the end of an era.
The journey out the door yesterday, was one of the most difficult walks I can remember, so many memories of the past seven years careening through my mind in the last seven seconds before we walked out for the last time. I had trouble processing all of it - not many dry eyes for the Lockheads.
Our thanks to the Goddard Team in Malvern - past & present.
We will always remember these days, and how our children's lives have been changed.
Back to Ashley...
The ceremony was really fun to watch and well organized by Ms. Jericka and Ms. Caitlin. Great Job ladies! Thanks also to BOTH Ms. Amys. After the introductions, Ashley knew the songs but had a little trouble with the all of the acting that went along with them! She did great, though. We all loved to hear about Mrs. "Q".
Congratulations Ashley!! We are so proud of you and what you've accomplished!
Oak Ridge Elementary, here we come!!
There was a lot going on at the Graduation and we got as many photos as we could before things started to break up, and folks began to head out.
Here are a few that we were able to capture:
One last family Goddard School Portrait as students...
THANKS AGAIN - We will miss you.
The Lockhead Family
I am speechless - the Goddard Family has been part of ours for a little over SEVEN YEARS. Ashley's last day(s) were weighed down with the realization that it was "the end of an era".
It all started with Kyle's first day - when I can remember, vividly, leaving him in tears with Miss Tracy. (That was a really difficult day for both of us.) Then, seeing the look of pure relief on his face when I picked him up that afternoon was priceless.
Over the years, Kyle, Dylan and then Ashley went on to experience so many "firsts" that I can't keep track.
As Dad, my memories are in the rear view mirror - literally. I can remember looking in the rear view mirror of the car during our morning and afternoon drives to see Kyle; then Kyle and Dylan; then Kyle, Dylan and Ashley; then Dylan and Ashley; and then finally just our little Ashley. I'm certain that there were days when it rained and some when it snowed - but I'm afraid I can't recall many of those. I can mostly remember their little faces on the clear days - as the morning rising sun, and the afternoon setting sun lit them just right. The years seem to have flashed by as if in a movie trailer - too fast, and leaving me wanting more. It really hasn't hit me yet that I'll never make that drive to Goddard school with students anymore. We'll only be guests when we have the off-chance to visit.
I'll miss herding them all across the parking lot to start their days. I'll miss signing them in to the most comfortable, secure and nurturing place we could imagine for them. I'll miss their excited voices telling me about their activities as I gathered their stuff from their cubbies. I'll miss signing them out in preparation for the trek home. I'll miss so many things... Truly the end of an era.
The journey out the door yesterday, was one of the most difficult walks I can remember, so many memories of the past seven years careening through my mind in the last seven seconds before we walked out for the last time. I had trouble processing all of it - not many dry eyes for the Lockheads.
Our thanks to the Goddard Team in Malvern - past & present.
We will always remember these days, and how our children's lives have been changed.
Back to Ashley...
The ceremony was really fun to watch and well organized by Ms. Jericka and Ms. Caitlin. Great Job ladies! Thanks also to BOTH Ms. Amys. After the introductions, Ashley knew the songs but had a little trouble with the all of the acting that went along with them! She did great, though. We all loved to hear about Mrs. "Q".
Congratulations Ashley!! We are so proud of you and what you've accomplished!
Oak Ridge Elementary, here we come!!
There was a lot going on at the Graduation and we got as many photos as we could before things started to break up, and folks began to head out.
Here are a few that we were able to capture:
Miss Amy (Brady) and the gang - Thanks for all you've done!!
Wait - How did THAT get in there?? (Miss Amy and Kyle and K's Graduation!)
Ashley and her BFF, Bella
Ashley and Ms. Caitlin - THANK YOU!!
Ashley and her future husband, Benji.
Courtesy of Kyle - Mom, Ashley & Dad
Miss Amy & Ashley - we'll miss you... (and you'll miss us...)?
One last family Goddard School Portrait as students...
Ashley & Miss Jericka - THANK YOU!!!
Ashley & Aunt Rita
The Gang
The WHOLE Gang!
THANKS AGAIN - We will miss you.
The Lockhead Family
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