summer lovin.

This was the summer that we took a road trip. Where we learned that our family culture is more campsite than hotel. Where we encountered beauty, but my favorite things were stuffed inside that vanagon.

This was the summer that Claire got brave.  She dove in fearlessly.  We did 3 weeks of swim camp and they made huge (wet) strides in swimming.  I now feel confident taking all 3 to a pool without help.

This was the summer that Ingrid Ru amazed us with her memory and vocabulary and ability to still want to be our baby, despite all she knows.

In a little over a week, I will send two of them to school.  Ingrid is ready.  The rest of us are not.  This week, I will do my best to say yes to popsicles and trampoline time and crafts and snuggles and stories. 

to begin again.

I feel like I've been a newbie runner for four years.  Every time I get past the initial "I really hate running" phase of running, I end up either injured or pregnant or the weather changes and I forgo running for indoor pursuits such as baking and eating baked goods.

This summer, I'm at it again.  Remembering why I love to run.  I really want to keep it up.  But I don't have faith that I'll ever be more than a fair weather runner.  I'd love suggestions on how to maintain when the weather turns soggy.  Thankfully, there is no pregnancy in my future, but I don't have a great track record (pun intended) of running when the daylight hours dwindle.  Help, please?

Only slightly related: Ingrid Ru shouted, "Let's run guys!" at the park today, dropped my hand and sprinted ahead.  Cowgirl boots and all.

early morning wyoming

"How many nights are we gonna stay here?"
"Look! There's a ton of rocks to climb!"
"And we're super-close to that garbage can."

It's good to be a little boy.

that john denver was not full of crap.

The Rockies were exquisite.  I have so much to report after nearly 2 weeks of mini RVing with these 4.  We saw friends, played with cousins and consumed a lot of chili.  Note: in the above photo, I am eating chili.

 It is wonderful to be home.