Summer Daze

I don't think I could possibly love summer more than I already do. Dark doesn't come until after 10 p.m. and the days still aren't long enough to do all I want to do. The hobbies and activities of short, cold days are put aside and gardening, walking, enjoying the patio, filling the pool for the grandbabies, and watching the grass grow fills their place. Flowers, freshly mowed grass and hungry little goldfinches flitting around their feeder soothes my soul in ways nothing else can. I find myself occasionally thinking ahead to the cold and it makes me anxious so I cast those thoughts aside and decide to deal with them later. It's much to nice outside to let anything discourage me.

Our summer has been lovely. At first I didn't think it would ever get here. We had the coolest, wettest spring and early June - very un-desert like. But around the first of July it began to warm up and it has been perfect ever since. Since we enjoy all our free time in the back yard, we re-designed the front yard beds to be shrub only and moved all the flowers that require care to the back yard. It makes much more sense. The front yard maintains itself and I can be weeding and watering in the back where everyone else is usually congregated. It is also much more private and I have been known to be out watering in my nightgown with cup of coffee in hand. Pure bliss!

We took a wonderful two week vacation. We took a road trip and traveled across Idaho, Montana, the Dakota's and Wyoming. So much fun history to discover. So much beauty. There was a spot in South Dakota where I looked to the east and saw endless prairie, (I am such a prairie girl at heart), but when I looked to the west I saw hills and pine trees. I told my husband this would be the perfect spot to live because we would both be able to see what we love the most. Two weeks in a small car together with our little dog Willow was so much fun and at the end when we pulled in the driveway we looked at each other and said, "We should just back up and do that all over again." I think that's a sure sign it was a good vacation.

The babies are growing faster than the weeds. Tyler turned three years old. He is full of mischief, still thinks his poppa is the best thing ever, loves any sport and he totally melts my heart. His little brother Aiden is going to be one next month. He is the happiest little boy ever and in all the ways is brother is boisterous and loud he is observant and sweet. They got to go on a summer trip to San Diego and they loved the beach. Is there anything cuter than babies on a beach?













Sweet Ava Claire is my sweet and only little granddaughter. She often says to me "You are my GrandMudder". I say "Yes, and your are my granddaughter." She smiles and says, "I love you GrandMudder." And then my heart just turns into a puddle of mush and I give her anything she wants! LOL! I LOVE this picture of her - she was upset because she couldn't have any candy. Someone said "I would never give her candy if she looked like that"!


And sweet Ryan is already 4 months old. He has the biggest smile and the most beautiful eyes. He is at the age that he wants to do so much that his little body can't do yet so he gets frustrated. What a joy he is and he loves his big sister so much.




So, you see, life has been very good this summer. Lots of family time and traveling time and good old rest for the soul time. I'll be more regular at blogging again when the leaves begin to fall and the breeze turns cold. Until then know that I am good and well and enjoying all the gifts that God has given me!