How was your summer?

Now that we are back in school and life is returning to routine, we are bumping into more people and we often ask this of each other - how was your summer?  The most common answer is: it went by way too fast. I agree. It was a bit of a blur.

Our summer included a couple of camping trips and a 14 year anniversary celebration which lasted for about one week - happy hour one night, a surprise kayak trip on another day, and friends over another evening.  If anything we know how to celebrate well!  And I am realizing that marriage deserves to be celebrated frequently because it is hard.

 Probably my favorite part of the summer was our road trip to Colorado.  It was so wonderful to spend time with family.  My brother, Mason, got married and now we have an awesome sis-in-law! Aaron officiated the wedding. Montana and my niece were the flower girls and Amos and my nephew were ring "bears" complete with bear costumes.  We partied and danced all night...well until 10pm.  Amos kept asking to go home because he was so tired, but Aaron and I were not quitting that party early.  It was a blast. And now my bro is a married man.  Kind of crazy.

 

The very next day the bi-annual Pluimer family reunion began.  I started the weekend tired and left the weekend exhausted.  I stayed up late every night because I didn't want to miss a thing and to be honest, the best conversations are usually after midnight. I am so grateful for this family tradition and I am already looking forward to the next one!

Our little family of 5 headed home, but we weren't quite ready to face reality, so we took a small detour and spent a night in Bend, OR.  That was so fun and it was the perfect way to transition back into life after spending 10 solid days with Aaron's family and my family.

Once we got home it felt like summer was almost over.  Berries had to be picked, beaches and splash parks visited, and more camping to do. Before we knew it, it was time for school shopping and finding a preschool for Amos.  The weather has remained glorious, so I feel like summer has been extended despite a new routine.

I worked 2 days a week this summer and I think that contributed to the blur.  My kids each probably grew a couple of inches.  Montana and especially Amos experienced new freedoms at cohousing and played outside less supervised.  Silas started walking and running and asserting his will. All in all - another fantastic summer. My heart is full just thinking about it.