End of Summer Memories

We wrapped up summer with picnic and park nights, days at the pool and lazy river floats, ice cream and football, playgrounds and big plans. Anticipating fall as we always do but making sure to enjoy the last of those summer nights as best we could.

Memories from August...

|| I took a few vacation days and spent them with our kiddos. We went to the bookstore and went to UNI football practice. We made messes at home and splashed in the pool. We finished decorating a remodeled basement and taught our girl how to walk.

|| We took Kaitlyn to the park as much as possible. And had picnic suppers as much as possible, too. Cody and I kind of laughed at one point when we realized that we used to spend HOURS AND HOURS at the playground with our two boys... and after a brief break... we're right back where we started  - this time with our little girl. ;)

|| We played board games under the stars, hosted family around the fire for s'mores and wine, ate smoked ribs and grilled lots of steaks... and dreamed bigger dreams for the future of this backyard space of ours.

|| One of my favorite nights at one of our favorite spots. Ice cream from the new Cedar City Creamery right by the river, Gateway Park for swings and slides... and views of our growing, changing city skyline. The buildings around here are getting taller... just like my boys. We love this spot. The park is the perfect size for our toddler, the views make us happy, there's a basketball court overlooking the river, plenty of room for football, a beautiful bridge to walk across, ice cream at our fingertips and a river's edge to explore. If someone asks me why we stay in this hometown of ours, I'll simply send them here and tell them to start walking.

|| The start of football season - when our busy life gets even busier, but we love every minute of it. The boys at practice, Cody coaching, Kaitlyn watching and learning and shouting "Dada!" from the sidelines, and the pride I feel watching them all use their talents and passion for good. And I pinch myself every time I see Jaden put on that CF Tiger helmet.

|| And probably the best memory from our August. This girl started walking. And life got even sweeter watching her take off.

Ready for all the good things to come. My favorite quarter of the year... fall and holiday season is upon us. I may be tired and overly-extended at times, but my soul also feels lighter. This time of year is home to my heart.

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"a portrait of one, two, or all three of my children - once each week - in 2019"

Jaden: Your favorite part of the pumpkin patch at 11 years old: the animals. You chased that black kitty around, got the dogs all riled up in the front yard, and finally succumbed to Brandon's peer pressure and took a few rides down the big, black tube slide.

Brandon: You could have ridden this slide all day long. And just like in previous years, you took your pumpkin picking very seriously, already begging us numerous times if we could carve them already. ;) You've also changed your mind and have decided that since fourth graders still get Halloween class parties... you want to dress up one last time this year, after all. In fact, you spent your entire morning before school Googling costume ideas.

Kaitlyn: You were by far the cutest pumpkin in the patch! It was so cute to watch you walk around from one area of the farm to the next, trying with all your might to pick up a pumpkin that was a tad too heavy for you, hoping to climb your way up to the jumping pillow all by yourself... and watching with envy as the big kids went down the slide over and over again. You still have the cutest little walk I've ever seen, and I wish I could bottle up this stage we're in with you.