July

Usually by this time in July, I'm over summer and ready for fall to be here. A little early, I know, but the heat just gets to me. Not this year. I think our cold, wet June has let me enjoy the summer heat a little more than I usually do. Here's what has made me happy this month...

Fireworks (of course - who doesn't love fireworks?)Landon could have lasted all night. His mom eventually dragged him home.
Warm summer nights jumping with my kids on the trampoline. They giggle non-stop.
Fresh fruit smoothies - for dinner even! Hooray for not cooking in July. Quesadillas are about as fancy as I've made the last few weeks. I can't say I've really missed all the heavy food.
Our family's annual trip to Deer Cliff Inn. If it ever goes up for sale, I'm gonna buy it and renovate it a bit. First on the list - remodel the bathrooms. I'll keep the live music and the wandering mountain goats. Annie and Landon took their claim of "most romantic spot in the West" quite seriously and hit the dance floor together. So cute.
Summer afternoons resting in the hammock. Cole and I like to go out and tell stories while Annie naps. My heaven will have a hammock. With big tall trees to keep it shaded even during scorching hot weather (not that my heaven will have scorching hot weather).
Picnics! Oh the picnics...I think we've eaten outside more than we have inside this month. My kids especially love eating breakfast outside. Can't say I blame them.
Newton 24th of July celebration. Such nostalgia for me, even though the details change from year to year. There was no rock climbing wall when I was a kid. We did, however, have a revival of "Guitarzan" at the lip sync this year. Classic.
Annie doesn't quite get the concept of "race" quite yet. She pretty much just stood there. They gave her a sucker anyway.
And my favorite, golden wheat fields. One of my favorite sights in all the world. Too bad it doesn't last long - my dad and Jake are getting the combines ready this week.