Summer Reflections

I have not been a very good blogger this summer. It's been intentional, actually. We've had such a fun time playing the past few months as a family that I really haven't wanted to devote much time to technology.

Today was the first day of school for Zachary, which marks the beginning of whole new season for us. It got me thinking about what a great change of pace the past few months were for us.

We...

spent a few weekends at Grandpa's cabin,

celebrated Justin & Rachel's wedding,
went to the zoo,

went to NW Trek,

went hiking,

had a scavenger hunt at our local beach,

had lots of picnics at our local beach,

blew bubbles,

played with silly string,

played with water balloons,

had a family water gun fight,

tried new bike and stroller trails,

played on Kaanapali Beach in Hawaii for 2 weeks,

went to YL camp for 1 week,

picked flowers,

picked berries,

went to the Children's Museum,

ate over 100 otter pops,

had play dates,

went to free morning movies,

went to lots of parks around town,

grew pumpkins, tomatoes, lettuce, beans, peas and thousands of zucchini,

chased butterflies, and

had tons of family movie nights.

But more importantly we just slowed down. We...

read books (and not just Harry the Dirty Dog, but interesting adult books, too),

watched lots of morning cartoons,

stayed in our jammies till 10:00,

savored full, warm cups of coffee without having to re-heat them two or three times,

had dinner as a family most nights,

spent hours at the table coloring millions and millions of pictures, and

didn't worry too much about being in bed right on time.

It was a good summer. I don't know that I'm feeling too ready for the get-up-and-go (and go and go...) pace of the school year but I'm thankful for the seasons and how they offer us something new and fresh to look forward to. For today, I'm just thankful for a really terrific summer and hopeful for a really fantastic fall.

Beach Boys

We had a wonderful family adventure in Maui.

15 simple days filled with beach, pool, family dinners, family game nights, family movie nights and early bedtimes.

What a gift!

I love what an adventure family trips are with boys.

Here are some thoughts about the beach from my boys' perspectives (according to Mommy)...

The sand and water are a perfect place to practice my ninja moves. This is kind of a dream come true...I can do kart wheels, flips and kicks and always have a soft landing.

Sand is kind of like mud, so it's it's part of the experience to get it caked in my hair and my body to be covered in it every. single. time. I go the beach. Don't bother trying to keep me clean. It won't work.

The beach is not much of an adventure without the threat of bad guys, so I will be yelling "Shark!" and "Alligator!" every time I hurl my body into the waves.

Mommy, when I say "Come swim with me," I don't mean come take a nice dip in the water with your hat and sunglasses on. What I mean is, roll around in the sand and actually put your head under water. Sheesh! What's the big deal?

Can you fill this bucket with wa-wa? Again? More please? More please? Again? More please?...

I will not stop running, jumping, splashing or building for a second. Chilling out is just not in my

vocabulary.

Silly Mommy. See that book you brought in your beach bag? I have way too much planned to keep you busy...don't expect to read that.

Summer Highlights!

Coffee Talk

Zachary and Kaden love to play "Dad" and "Son" together. ("Zachy is always the dad because he's da biggest.") Today I overheard Dad and Son pretending to drive thru Starbucks and order some coffee...

Kaden: "I'll have a cracker with a fap-chino on top"

Zachary: "And I'll have a fat tall-fat mocha flapachino. With some whip cream."


I think it's a good thing they're practicing now.

Uncle Just & Aunt Rach!

I have been a bad blogger this month, but here's some pictures to capture some of what's been keeping us so busy!

And just to keep it real...

Our unsuccessful attempt at a family picture. Rylan was not too happy with me, apparently.

Justin and Rachel's wedding was beautiful! The weather was gorgeous and all the boys did a fantastic job as ring bearers. We really couldn't have asked for a more perfect day!

We've pretty much been doing this all week....

Questions About Heaven

"Do we eat food there?"

"If Jesus is in Heaven why can't I see his feet sticking out of the clouds?"

"Will I get to live on a cloud when I go there?"

"When I go to Heaven will I have a mustache?"

-Kaden