Summer Adventures

 Ashton has had an amazing summer so far!  First, we had Olav's friends Melissa and Tracy from Maine come to visit. Ashton got dragged along to DC and Harper's Ferry, but he seemed to enjoy Olav's friends very much and therefore enjoyed his time as we went and visited these sites.

After their visit, Ashton went to Camp Manidoken so that Daddy and I could go to Chicago for our 25th wedding anniversary. Even though initially Ashton did not want to go to sleep-away camp, he ended up having an amazing time and even asked if he could go back next year.  I think the highlight of the camp was the freedom and independence he had.  Apparently, the last night there, he and Jackson stayed up mostly all night talking to some girls.  I think he may have even come home with a sweet friendship with a young lady named Harper.  In fact, when he realized he had given her his old phone number, he nearly went ballistic.  Thankfully, his buddy Nathan was able to hook him up and get him in contact with Harper.  I think they have been texting pretty regularly.  It's pretty sweet.

  

After Manidoken, we picked up Eirik and spent the day at Guppy Gulch.  Even though Eirik was not very interactive with us, Ashton and Eirik appeared to have a good time, and both were exhausted from a full day of sun, water, climbing, and jumping.

Then Ashton had an amazing week at an airsoft camp with a bougie private school down in the Germantown area.  He was hot and sore all week, but he loved it!

Last week, we went camping at  Raystown Lake, and he enjoyed fishing, exploring, and kayaking.  Daddy bought an extra Kayak just for Ashton.  Ashton also wanted to sleep outside in the tent, so he brought our small four-person tent and enjoyed his time outside.  Needless to say, he was very happy.

We even got to see Stian for a short visit.

Even though he hasn't worked as much as we had hoped, he has still kept busy having friends over and going on adventures with friends.  This past week, I took him and his friend Griffin up the Abandoned Tunnels on the old PA turnpike.  It was creepy but fun!  We biked 16 miles total (8 out and 8 back) through 2 tunnels that used to be part of the PA turnpike.  The tunnels were last driven through in 1968.  Now they are abandoned, filled with graffiti and trash, but Ashton loved it!   He loves exploring abandoned things for sure!  I was very impressed with how adventuresome he is!   He also had a sleepover at a friend's family farm in a tent while it thunderstormed eek...Needless to say, this mama did not sleep well that night!

Overall, Ashton has had a really amazing summer and has matured so much!  Can't believe he is going to start high school!!!!!!

Busy June!

I missed May, but June has kicked off with a bang.  First, we went on our biennial camping trip with Ashton's maternal biological siblings.  As expected, he wanted nothing to do with them, but I was able to get a picture of most of them.  Annabelle couldn't make it; she was at work.  Taylor came for the day along with Ashton's maternal Grandma Mary Jo.  It was really nice to see them, and they were so happy to see how well Ashton has been doing.

Ashton, Eli, Noelle, Arianna, and Paisley

Yesterday, Ashton was promoted to 9th grade.  The ceremony was nice as Ashton walked across the platform.  I even got him to take a few pictures.  In a wonderful surprise, he was awarded the Gold level of the President's Volunteer Service Award, given to students who have accumulated an impressive number of community service hours.  Thanks to his summer CIT experiences and a few other volunteer opportunities, he has participated in!  We were so proud of him.  

Gold Medal Service Award

Tomorrow is his last day of 8th grade!  I am headed to California, so sadly, I probably won't get a last day of school picture!  Let the summer fun begin!

Doing great things!

 April has been another really great month for Ashton and he has had a lot of fun being super creative!

First, we celebrated his 14th birthday with two of his best buddies, Weyland and Stephen.  The boys enjoyed a sleepover, along with an ice cream cake, and California tortilla.

Best pic he'd let me get!

We also celebrated Easter and Passover with the family.

Ashton has been super clever and creative this month.  First, someone gave him an old razor motor scooter that did not work, and he used his birthday money and amazing knowledge to fix it up and turn it into a speedy dirt bike that he enjoys riding.  I am so impressed!  For the most part, he did all the research on his own and put it together.

Also, he and his buddies, instead of spending their spring break in front of screens, spent their time building forts at our local park.  One of the boys was even permitted by his dad to spend the night alone in the fort.  Apparently, he made it until 12:30 before he got scared, and his dad came to pick him up.  Ashton really wanted to spend the night as well, but that was a non-negotiable for us!  I kept asking for pictures of the fort, but Ashton kept forgetting.  Maybe one day before they fall apart!

Ashton also got to go with Mr. Rick to play airsoft once again!  I am so glad they can do that together.  

Ashton's lil side kick

 It's no secret that Ashton is really good with little kids and our little neighbor Grayson is no exception!  It's absolutey adorable to see how much Grayson worships Ashton and how awesome Ashton is with him!

Happiness!

 Yesterday we got an encouraging note from Ashton's math teacher!  He has had a great year in Math!!!!  He has worked really hard to "catch up" with his grade level peers.  Needless to say we are very proud of him!

Hello,

I just wanted to send out an email to let you know that Ashton has been doing fantastic in math this year.  He even just scored a 100% on one of the hardest tests that we will take all year.

He should be proud of his work, and I am excited to see how he does throughout the rest of the year.

Thanks,
Mr. Gaetani

Also it's not secret Ashton loves his bikes.  He loves riding them.  Taking them apart, putting them sometimes back together.  Well yesterday he created his own little "bike repair shop" in the shed.  He was so excited to show it off to me!  I was so proud of him!

Ashton's little bike repair shop!

Snow days!

We welcomed in the New Year with Katie and her family!

January gave Ashton the gift of two little snow storms back to back! He made snow forts, went snow skiing multiple times (even once with Daddy), created a snow ski bike, and did lots of sledding!  Needless to say, he loves the snow and has been a delighted boy!

Yesterday, he had his first "ski club" ski event at Liberty and adored it!  He skied from 3 p.m to 9 pm!!!! Even going on a black diamond trail for the first time!  He is already looking forward to next week! 

He also registered for his high school classes!  I can't believe our little boy is going to go to high school next year!!!!

December Download

 It's hard to believe 2024 is coming to a close!  Ashton has been very busy in December.  Of course, he continues to love riding his bike!  For Christmas, he received a new BMX bike!  He is very excited to try it out on our local bike park.  He continues to love to use power tools to create all types of things.  For Christmas, he even made his sister a desk Mr. Rick his birthfather also stopped by on Christmas Eve and dropped off a new Airsoft pistol.  Needless to say, he has been a very happy boy! H  Today Ashton is enjoying his first day of his Epic Snow pass, snowboarding with his buddy Nathan.

First day on the slopes!

Braving a cold day at Tree Trekkers

Ashton wanted to put Christmas lights on the house this year!

A little snow hike with my buddy

Santa, I've been very good!

Christmas Morning

A rare hug as a thank you for the handmade desk (in background)

Shooting his new airsoft pistol