Keeping Busy

Last week Luke taught Dylan how to replace a radiator,


and Izzy started a new ballet class (this is the first year I'm not her teacher).


We were busy having fun, and then school started and ruined everything.

Things to come...

Want to pack your bags? Something small
Take what you need and we'll disappear
Without a trace we'll be gone, gone
Moon and the stars will follow the car
And then when we get to the ocean
Gonna take a boat to the end of the world
All the way to the end of the world

Oh and when the kids are old enough, we're gonna teach them to fly

You and me together
We could do anything baby
You and me together yes, yes
You and me together
We could do anything baby
You and me together yes, yes

The other night, under at least a billion stars, Luke and I listened to Dave Matthews sing those lyrics live...amazing. It's funny how different songs hit you in different ways at different times in your life. I had started packing my bags just that day. And just like in the song, Luke and I are headed to the ocean. And we do want to teach our kids to fly. And we can do anything together. It was a perfect song on a perfect night. It's hard to believe it's been ten years since we got married. I wouldn't have wanted to spend the last decade with anyone else, and I am looking forward to taking a boat to the end of the world with him in just a few days. Awww :)

Back to the Lake

We headed back to the lake on Wednesday, but there was nothing quick about this trip. We relaxed and had fun, which was really nice. Summer seems to be slipping right through my fingers. School shouldn't be starting in two weeks, right? I had such big plans for summer, and now it's almost over.

We managed to pack a lot of fun into our 3 days of relaxing, though. The first thing we did after settling in at the cabin was head to the boardwalk and down to the beach. The kids were so excited that they got right into the water. In their clothes!


It was a long walk back to the car, but totally worth it. They all had huge smiles on their faces despite the cold, wet clothes clinging to their bodies. Hopefully they will always remember it.

For some reason, Bucky didn't want me to take any pictures of him. I guess he's getting too cool to have his mom following him around with a camera. I did manage to get a quick photo of him on the playground, though. I am so in love with this boy.


The day started out with a little drizzle of rain, but we didn't let it get us down. Who has time to worry about getting wet when there is a bounce pillow to jump on?


Too much fun! Even Sarah and I got in on the action, but there won't be any photos of that. We even tested out our teeter tottering skills. We're still pretty amazing after all these years...impressive. When the sun came out, we headed back to the beach and found a few sand monsters


as well as some sun kissed kids soaking in the last bits of summer.


There were buckets and buckets of water


and some serious engineering.


The next day we spent a little more time at the beach before heading over to my cousin Ashley's house to see...puppies!


There are ten of them (free to a good home), and I think the kids would have taken every single one of them with us if they could have. Each pup was so unique. And sooo cute.


Izzy hit it off with one of the big dogs. She loves all animals, and they seem to sense it. She wants to be a vet when she grows up, and I think she'd be a natural.


In a nutshell, we played games, stayed up too late, and ate raspberry shakes. We all got sunburned, and we are all exhausted. We laughed a lot, read a little, and looked at the stars. Sarah and I discovered Jerseylicious (are you kidding me?), and I ate my weight in muddy buddies. All in all, a great little getaway.

Quick Trip

We made a quick trip this week to Bear Lake with my folks. They got some wood permits and were nice enough to share so we could stock up on firewood. We got up at 5am on Wednesday morning...wow. So early. We wanted to get a good start so we wouldn't be working in the heat of the day. It was worth it to see the sunrise over the lake on our way to the canyon, though. Luke slowed down just enough for me to snap this photo (which doesn't even do justice to how beautiful it was).


We cut down five trees that were about 70 feet tall. It was so awesome to watch them fall. There was a really cool thunderstorm in the distance while we were working, so between the sound of thunder and trees falling, it was pretty spectacular. It was a lot of work to load them onto the trailer once they were cut up, but well worth it. Especially when I'm sitting in front of a warm fire this winter. Thanks mom and dad-we had a great time!

Bow Hunter in Training

Dylan is counting down the days until he turns twelve and is able to go elk hunting. Seeing this one sealed the deal! He's ready to go pick out his bow right now.

More Yard Stuff

Luke said he wouldn't be happy until we had a fence. He's been working on it non-stop, and it is looking great. It will provide some much needed privacy, and now I feel like I can start filling in the flower beds. What a difference it makes!


The garden is doing so well! We have been eating beets, peas, zucchini, squash, chard, basil, thyme, carrots...you get the idea. We even have a few new potatoes. Yummy.


The orchard is doing great, too. We have been spoiled with handfuls of ripe raspberries. Watching Izzy and Dylan picking them, laughing with each other...priceless.


The trees are full of peaches, plums, pears, and a variety of apples. Also, if you look closely, you can see that we actually have grapes this year! It seems all the waiting is worth it, after all!


Man, I love summer.

Indulge

I think everyone has one item that they'd really love to have, but don't get because it isn't sensible. My friend and I were trying to figure out what our item would be, and I have settled on mine. The Patagonia Merino classic hoody.

I know I should direct my thoughts toward world peace or something profound, but I'm talking about getting in your car right now, driving to a store, and buying that one thing you've always wanted.

So I'm dying to know...what would you buy?