Todd and Lindsey Schlensker Family: 2016

Post-Farm Festivities

The close to the Farm is always tough, but with cousins still around for a few more days, it's an easier transition back to normalcy.

Ice cream anyone?

One last work through of Grandma and Grandpa Fish's house

It wasn't something I wanted to do, but this place will always be special

Anna in the backyard

Brooklyn - you better not be itching poison ivy

Love this porch

Mae in the empty dining room - lots of great celebrations, meals, and memories in that room

The annual pizza and malts picnic

We left on a Friday, as opposed to most years on a Sunday. Fun-filled for 4 days, and then the sad day to leave. Shortly after we drove away, Mae quietly had tears rolling down her face. It seems to always take so long to get here for our girls and then just like that it's all over. The good news though - no vomiting on the drive home. The drive home wasn't bad. Ashley lost it and I gave up my principles and stopped just 20 minutes from home. It won't be long before the talk about "the farm" begins for next year.

If this picture looks really familiar, it's because on the way home, we stopped for lunch at the exact same place (Wendy's in Beckley) and they're wearing the exact same shirt

Just can't get them all to look at the camera at once

Getting a little needed exercise

And then to pour salt in the wound of the end of the farm, when we got home Caden came over to say goodbye before he left the next morning

From 1 to 16 - the oldest and young Schlensker grandchildren

Virginia Trip - Day 4

The final full day was filled with more of the same fun. The night time concert became classic when Anna became a full-fledged performer and ended up singing a duet with Logan. Not to be outdone, Brooklyn sang "So You Had a Bad Day" and had the crowd rolling. We then had one last hurrah riding the bull. It was much more of a success than last year - Mae, Anna, and Brooklyn all got on. Sure they needed escort, but at least they got on and even let it move! It was a great last day!

Looks like they need a driver

It's too early for swim time, so these cousins are just dipping their feet in

A walk across the bridge

Concert time!

Non-stop entertainment

She has many talents

Mae, microphones, and crowds don't usually mix - we'll take it!

But the next kid? "Happy Anna" and EVERYTHING seems to mix!

Sister Duet

Duet to "Just the Way You Are" -Bruno Mars

Anna had to get a least one "tickle tickle" in during the performance - she just can't resist tickling poor Logan

And then it was Brooklyn's turn

Thankfully her talking voice and her singing voice don't sound anything alike

Today was definitely not a bad day!

Brooklyn didn't know the popular trend of the family was to be scared to get on

She had more fun than this picture depicts

Now THIS was progress!

Virginia Trip - Day 3

Day 3 was much of the same - horses, swim, and lots of cousin time.

Brooklyn reading to her cousins

Brooklyn with less assistance

Kid is cute, man

A natural

We've expanded past Chief

Back in the pool

The darkest and the lightest?

Slide time

I've always told her it was fun!

It was pretty hot

Look at her go!

I'm not sure who she's talking to

Grateful for swim lessons

Well...I'm just not sure what is wrong

Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles!

Virginia Trip - Day 2

Everyone, after not a great night sleep, was up early. The girls rode horses in the outdoor arena. I forgot to pack diapers so I was off to buy some after I went on a very hot run. After lunch it was swim time and then a little sing time after dinner.