Family weekends.

If there is a better way to spend summer weekends than surrounding yourself with family and friends, I'm not sure what it is.

These past couple of weekends have taken us out of the city and into the things that will help us write the pages of our summer book. Nick's entire family gathered in Leavenworth for a weekend of pool time, Western theme, picnics, and even a talent show.

These two won the talent by a landslide (imagine a dance routine, magic show, recorder performance and juggling!)

And last weekend we hopped in the car for another night away at the island and to celebrate mom's and papa's birthdays.

We spent time in the afternoon at the cutest little U-Pick farm where I'm pretty sure Charlotte ate her weight in blueberries as she helped us fill our carton.

I find myself, after weekends like these, lying in bed on Sunday evening with such a feelings of fullness and thankfulness for the families that we have.

But lately, along with these feelings, there is also the excitment of anticipation.

I realized the other night that we are now in the 3rd trimester!! Say WHAAAAT?! When did that happen?? In three months, give or take, my little family of three will be a family of four.

  And while I could write you a long list of things we need to get done, projects to complete, rooms to change, and money to save for us to get ready for the arrival of this little one...

the truth is, we are ready.

We cannot wait to meet this new little squish and to see how once again, our hearts will be stretched to places we didn't know exist.

Ahhh...summer.

"Summertime is always the best of what might be"

-Charles Bowden

I am knocking on wood as I write this, but I think it is safe to say that our summer has officially arrived in the Northwest.

While the rest of the country was soaking up the sun and documenting their lazy, hot afternoon adventures...in Seattle we continued to hold out hope for July.

Specifically, the 5th of July as that is typically when our weather finally turns. And so far, July has not disappointed.

  The sunshine makes us happy. That's it. Just happy, happy, happy!

I asked Nick the other night if he thought people who lived in sunshine year round were always this happy or if they got complacent about it. We decided that they most certainly must get complacent about it (partly to make ourselves feel better about climate we life in much of the year) and decided that we wouldn't let one sunny day pass us by.

Taking a que from my friend Erin, I decided to make us a Summer List.

Can you tell which of these items require a little help from our friends in high places??

I love looking on our kitchen counter at this list each day.

 It's not a "each item needs to be checked off by a certain day" kind of list like to-do lists can be...but more of a reminder for us. To enjoy the simple summer joys.

We've been enjoying running through the sprinkler...

Planning picnics in the park...

Our favorite place for the summer was determined I think after our first visit to the new Spray Park by our house. Charlotte squeeled with pure glee the entire time we were there!

And there is nothing like seeing your child so truly, truly happy.

Often times in the evenings I'll be in the kitchen and realize it's suddenly quiet, and go out to the living room to find my little book worm curled up with a book reading to herself.

We've been napping...

And playing...

And trying as much as we can to slow time and savor each day.

It seems like overnight my little girl is becoming such a big girl. I love it...I love watching her learn and her independence grow, but I also get a little pang in my heart to realize just how big she is getting.

She wants to help out with EVERYTHING...

And at the moment is quite interested in and entertained by potty training.

Let's hope that enthusiasm continues.

Summer we are so happy you are here. Let's see what else might be, shall we?

The Fourth.

The 4th of July is quickly becoming my second favorite holiday.

(come now...you know nothing can take the place of sacred Christmas in my book!)

But the 4th can really hold it's own in the holiday category.

A kickoff of summer, family gatherings, small town parades, and Pop-Its. Lots and lots of Pop-Its.

This is the 3rd year we have gathered at Auntie and Peter's fabulous compound on Samish Island.

I think that is officially making it a tradition.

We were all getting a little nervous about the weather the first couple of days...

But the rain made for some seriously fun puddle jumping!

And by the evening of the 3rd, our sunshine had arrived and thankfully it has been here to stay.

Oh hey growing belly!

Nick was on clean up crew after probably the 10th Pop-It box Charlotte and her cousins had stomped on.

Cheers to another fabulous Fourth, cheers to the official start of summer... and cheers to my cutest Papa because no one rocks 4th of July shorts, er, swim trunks, quite like him.

Happy Birthday America.