Mid-summer

It's hard to believe it's already the middle of summer.  Or at least it's supposed to be.  I've decided to officially include June as one of our months of spring so I won't be disappointed next year when it doesn't get over 60 before the solstice.  Nevertheless, despite the cool and wet spring and summer we've had, the garden is flourishing as is our family.  I can barely make the kids eat breakfast and change out of pajamas before they're running out the door to play outside.  Four outfit changes and three applications of sunscreen and bug spray later, we are usually eating dinner outside, exhausted and sun-kissed (I don't ever let the kids get burned...however, there is that one spot on my back that is really hard to reach...)  We've managed to go camping twice and have a few more outings planned.  Our great friends the Tippens spent 8 days of their summer vacation hanging out with us.  It was a fabulous way for us to have a staycation!  We couldn't imagine a way it could have been better!  My dad was also able to sneak out for a quick mountain getaway.  Besides running the Missoula half-marathon (my dad finished first in his age group...the kids/J/I all slept in and cheered him on in our dreams), we snuck in a kid-paced hike up Waterworks Hill, fishing at Rock Creek, downtown shopping, and lots of great food.  We have about a month break before our next round of guests arrive at the end of August.  I hope to make the most of these next few weeks to help solidify Parker's potty training (he's diaper-free when awake with only the occasional accident) and to get some back-to-school sewing done with the hopes that the kids don't grow too much before school starts in September.  I still haven't downloaded our camera's software yet but plan to do so while Justin's at a work retreat this weekend.  Then you'll have some proof of our unending fun!

Quick update: I can't help but brag that Parker just figured out how to ride a 2-wheel bike this evening!  Tricycles are headed to Craigslist and I've put out a request on Freecycle for another 12" bike because changing the seat height on the one bike we have for each kids has already gotten old :)  My little P is getting so grown up!