Summering

Things are starting to wind down for us after a very busy summer.  The days and nights are getting a little cooler, it gets dark a little sooner, the garden is slowing down, and we're starting to think about house concerts and canning and football season.  But my what a summer it has been!  This has probably been my most favorite summer ever.  I feel like we've been going non-stop, and honestly, by this point I'm exhausted.  But all I have to do is think back on all the adventures we've had and I know that it's all been worth it.  In addition to the big trips and festivals that I've talked about....our summer has looked like this...

Plants coming home to the garden

Sadie's end-of-year preschool program

The boys playing music for Record Store Day at Bogey's West, our local record shop

A special birthday cake for my hubby..Guiness Cake with Bailey's Cream Cheese Frosting.  I LOVED this recipe and will definitely make it again.

A weekend of celebrating the fathers in our lives....first with my papa at Euclid Hall, a restaurant I've been wanting to try for a long time.  This Brat Burger on a pretzel bun was to die for. 

And then with the Peterson side of the family for a Sunday afternoon pizza date.

Sadie's had as musical of a summer as we have...and it appears to be rubbing off on her.  She's showing a LOT of interest in her fiddle and we couldn't be more thrilled with that development.

She loved watching friends play music at Park House, our new favorite bluegrass-friendly venue in Denver.

We had a great 4h of July celebration in downtown Denver with our friends the Friesens....saw three different fireworks shows and felt like we were right underneath the awesome display the Colorado Rockies put on every year.

Of course plenty of time hot tubbing at Nana and Poppie's...

Time with both the mothers and sisters in my life....

A special celebration to honor our friend Marjorie and the awesome advocacy work she does as part of this organization.

Hooping with our buddies the Jamiesons at the Institute for Spiritual Advancement

Date night to go see Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, with Edie Brickell at the Chatfield Botanic Gardens!

Goodness from the garden and a vodka tonic on a warm summer night. 

Early morning yoga with my girl

Celebrating the newest member of our neighborhood family, Dyer baby #2 is on her way soon!!!

The Avett Brothers and Old Crown Medicine Show threw it down at Red Rocks!

All this fun and adventure in addition to the five festivals we will have been to, the camping trips, trips to the east coast...oh and our jobs....whew.  No wonder we're so tired.  But I wouldn't trade any of it.  This summer has deepened my love for my family, my friends, this beautiful state we live in, and the music with which we fill our days.  Sure feeling thankful, lucky, and blessed as we turn into fall. 

Summer Vacation Part 3: New Hampshire

Summer Vacation Part 3 started immediately after Haley and Greg's wedding festivities finished up.  The entire extended family (minus a couple important people, namely my husband and brother, and of course the newlyweds) drove a few hours north of Boston to Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.  We settled in to the strangest house ever (and we've stayed in some weird places), and set about doing some of our very favorite things....

We're a family full of bookworms.  There was a lot of reading of course.

Playing in the lake.  The house had its own beach and despite the cool weather, we tried to take full advantage of the beautiful location.

Enjoying the youngest cousins

Boating!

Ice cream of course...

Celebrating a milestone birthday for my beautiful Aunt Barbara..

Magical walks to waterfalls

Touring the Castle in the Clouds

Stumbling upon a random princess party.....and my little girl was in heaven.

Packing as many people as possible into a small kitchen...

Lobsterfest 2013

And after it all...I was ready to be home.  A dreamy, meaningful, chaotic, tiring, beautiful vacation filled with my favorite things and favorite people in the whole world.  How nice to end a long day of travel with a love letter from my husband and a cold IPA.  Doesn't get much better than that.