Of all the silly things my dad has done during my lifetime, one of my very favorites was when he would answer the phone and say "Folkman's summer home. Some are home; some are not." Ha ha. Get it? (Faus pas gone JazznJenna.) Oh, except he didn't say Folkman's because I wasn't a Folkman then.
Anyway: that has been our theme this summer. Some of us were home. Some of us were not. It seemed like we had bodies heading off in different directions all summer, but I guess that's what happens when you have teenagers. While it was a lot to keep up with, we still had a great summer.
We went swimming at the lake(s). A lot. (I added the plural just to be bratty. Sorry about that.)
We took a quick trip to Spokane. I am in awe of the architecture downtown. I need to spend some time there, just me and my camera. Mano-a-mano.
Campbell House Museum
Our big trip of the summer was our trip to Utah. Oh my, we had fun! We saw family and dear friends and played, played, played. Since we live so far away from civilization, (OK not really. But yeah, kind of.) we get a little deprived of the man-made fun they have in big cities. And the shopping! And the restaurants! Good thing I don't live there or I would never cook.
Salt Lake Temple
We had so much fun that I actually thought, "OK, life in the city is not so bad. I could live here." But then ... but then ... Montana. Oh, Montana. Why are you so beautiful? Right when I cross the border from Idaho, I take a deep breath and sigh and know that I am home.
Sunset down the Swan. This picture was snapped out my window while I was driving (Mom, don't tell Dad!), which is ironic because I pulled off a handful of times to take pictures of barns and none of them really turned out. Guess I will save time and just snap shots while driving.
Of course you remember hearing all about our awesome Rock-n-Roll themed family reunion. Sad how that seems like ages ago now.
I didn't get to spend much time working on writing projects this summer, but I guess that's alright because I have 9 months of crappy weather coming up. I did get to read a few good books though, which always makes me happy. My very favorite was this one:
Oh, and I got to replenish my huckleberry freezer jam supply. It will last about two months. Maybe.
What did you do this summer? What did you love? Where did you go? What did you see? Are you sad to see it become just a memory?
It's the last week of the month so check back for the monthly winner on Thursday. The prize might just be a box of tissues since we are all shedding tears over the end of summer!
8 comments:
How did you know I was crying all day yesterday? Ok, well it had nothing to do with summer being over and everything to do with me sending my baby to kindergarten (I no longer have little ones at home and I'm not sure how to process that), but still...I could have used that kleenex prize then ; ).
What did we do this summer? We gave up traveling this year in exchange for buying a home. Hooray!
We were able to take a few great day trips though--to Washington D.C. and to Gettysburg were the best. I don't feel happy about remembering all of the war that has happened in our history, but learning about the history felt so important anyway, and humbling. It was a neat experience.
Another thing that SAVED my sanity this summer was our local park--they have the most INCREDIBLE park program here where you can sign your kids in and leave them there for hours at a time in the care of responsible young adults that lead them in super fun activities the whole time (every game and sport you can imagine--tennis, flag football, water slip-n-slide, board games, crafts...), ALL FOR FREE! 5 days a week, 3 different sessions available, and our kids loved it! I stayed with the kids at the park when our youngest wanted to be there (cause he was under the minimum age requirement), but otherwise the older three had fun on their own there. It was the bomb.
The last thing we did that saved our summer was a little swimming...once at the lake (raise your hand if you like swimming in green water), and several times at a friend's pool 30 minutes away.
Summer is not my favorite, but since we didn't have bored kids this year, I thought it was pretty nice. Today, no more tears about the kindergarten thing--I'm planning on enjoying my new free hours during the day to clear my mind and get stuff done.
Oh wait--one more BEST part of my summer was playing racquetball once a week. That was oh-mazing awesomesauce. I hope I can find a way to continue to play : ).
(Oh, and I started writing a book--how awesome is that?!)
This summer was a little lame for us! We were busy with the house and me teaching summer school (and primary!) so we didn't take off and go camping nearly as often as we wanted to. We still have some time though. I would say our highlight trip was to the family reunion. And I loved my sister coming and staying with me for two weeks. And buying a house. That was good. I can't believe how fast it ended!
Well the first thing we did as a family was go to our family reunion in Washington at Camp Zarahemla. That was really great because it was really gospel centered and some inactive cousins from Canada got to attend.
Next big thing was going east for my check-up at St. Jude's in TN, (I'm still cancer-free!) and from there my mom and I went to New Yor City for my graduation present. We met up with some friends that moved away from Nevada to Ohio and that was great. We got to see the 9/11 memorial, China Town, The Statue of Liberty, Museum of Natural History and Central Park. We also saw The Lion King on Broadway which was completely AMAZING! And from New York we rode a bus to Boston for the other half or my smile surgery. Everything went really well and I was released from the hospital two days eairlier that expected. The only bad thing was my room mate because I was now in the adult ward but that's a slightly gag-inducing story for another time.
Two weeks after my surgery I went on my first Trek with our stake. I had to ride in thed sick wagon almost everyday a little into the afternoon but I did my best and you can't ask for more.
I then recieved my Honor Bee which is a charm a yound woman can recieve after getting their medallion for completeing Person al Progress, for those who aren't familiar with it.
I got to Go to two different friends' condos and spend those night with our little group. I also got to go to Lake Tahoe once this summer which is silly because it's only 45 minutes away. Anyway, It was hot enough out that even I, the cold intolerant cancer kid, got in the known-for-freesing-temperture-and-clarity water. That was nice to be in such blue, pretty water.
Then I went to my aunt's baptism in central California and this weekend I'm going to attend her wedding!
I will miss getting to be so lazy during the summer but I'm glad I get the chance to go to BYU-I. There will lots of new people to meet including lots of cute return missionaries! ;) It'll be great.
The question should be, "What didn't you do this summer?"
I didn't get attacked by the mama bear that I saw with her cub on our backpacking trip in Yosemite. I didn't conquer all 5 of the mountain passes on my foray into road biking (only 4 1/2). I didn't have a clean house when my guests arrived a few days after girls camp (which was a couple of days after other guests had been here for a week). I didn't know I was going on trek with the youth until 4 days before, but that didn't spoil it one bit - it was amazing! We didn't make it to the summit at sunrise for our 4th year hike for girls camp (but we saw it come up on our way - and it was still a knockout hike and view from the top!). I didn't ever hear my kids say, "I'm bored!" I don't even know if they played on the computer this summer! Sadly, I didn't get to Tahoe more than twice (that's a record I hope to never come close to again). I didn't get to catch up with everyone at our reunion in June. We are growing so big and 3 days isn't enough anymore! I didn't get to spend enough time with the Crosby family, but we did share a gorgeous evening together on the top of the world! I didn't get to anonymously celebrate my birthday. I didn't get to go to Pres. Monson's birthday celebration, or Shawn's nephew's wedding. I didn't get to watch much of the Olympics. I didn't get to spend enough time in classes at Education Week (I missed 6 hours of possible classes). I didn't do a good job of visiting teaching. We didn't get hit by a car when our family biked on the new freeway to Reno (it was the open house for it, no cars allowed!). I didn't get enough of my kids and I didn't get enough of summer.
I did hug more and say, "I love you!" more than ever before (girls camp, trek, etc.). It was a summer of love and intense feelings of joy, gratitude, and closeness to the Spirit. LOTS of touches with the Spirit. It was beautiful!
JazznJenna: I might have to move to PA just to enjoy the free play in the parks program! How cool! Sorry about the green lakes. We went to the lake in UT and the water was also green and made the kid's summer cuts and scrapes sting. Not a good sign! (Yes, I let my kids swim in toxic sludge! It makes them tougher!) Here's a BIG wahoo for writing your first book!
Nicole: I'm surprised the highlight of your summer wasn't losing your canoe out the back of your truck. That sounded like loads of excitement to me. Hooray for the new house!
Devree: You get the biggest YIPPEE of all for being cancer free! I'm so jealous that you went to NYC. Why didn't you invite me? I totally would have fit in your suitcase. BYU-I and all those hot RM's aren't going to know what hit them this fall Devree! You're going to own that town!
PaulaShawn: I've been one-upped. Again. And on my own blog. Have you no shame? (Remember that guest post we all want you to write? It's calling your name!) You know what else you didn't do this summer? Come visit me! Hello!
I LOVE Summer.....My winters are do-able as I think about the awesome Summer to come!
Lets see...this summer I got a great tan as we jet skiied, boated and swam in the Flathead Lake. We visited family, had family visit. Had friends over and got to make new friends.
Left my 3 sons for the first time as I went to Girls Camp. Traveled to Canada, a lot. Rode the Alpine Slide at Whitefish. Floated Tangled Lanterns over the lake. Tipped my kayak floating the Swan River.
Traveled all over the Flathead Valley and got to meet over a hundred teenage girls.
Watched my oldest Son leave on his 1st 50 miler and Scout Jamboree. Let my daughters go on their first away trip. (Thanks Lori)
I did get a few good reads in...Edenbrooke being the best one for me as well.
It was a wonderful Summer. I can't believe I have to wait another 9 months for summer to come again!!!!
Ahhh Summer! I will miss it for sure. We are not the most exciting people around. We went hiking, had fun picnics, went swimming plenty of times, read books in the sunshine and ate lots and lots of popsicles and watermelon!
We went to Disneyland in May so that was kind of our big trip for the year but I would have to say the Reunion was a highlight for sure and so was getting #3 potty trained! (Finally!!) Yes, potty training was a highlight... that is how lame we are!
Livingstons: I still haven't done the alpine slide at whitefish. Is it worth it? Did you scream like a sissy? Yes: you and your tan. So not fair.
Anne: hey: potty training is a major triumph! I was totally stoked when we got teen #1 potty trained last summer. (Bad joke on his behalf. Sometimes I get desperate to make a joke.) I think your haircut should have been mentioned as a summer love! You look so chic!
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