Summer Recap

Summer is no longer in full swing - here in Chicago it's actually over - but I'm back with the post I promised a whopping three months ago. Better late than never right? We had a summer full of fun and travel and more travel and this mama needing a seriously long nap. But push come to shove the kids had the best time of their little lives and here I am to document it (courtesy of all the other picture takers - thanks Gwen, Ash, and Rach!)

While we were in LA we of course took a trip to the beach. Evan, being the Californian that he is, would set up a tent and live on the beach if I weren't so against ... well, the idea of living in a tent. He and the boys spent the day in the sand and surf (the kids actually were pretty wimpy in the actual surf since it's so dang cold) and I stayed far away from the water and its great white sharks. It was Cade's turn to get buried in the sand and here he is waving at the camera since it scared him to think of having his hands buried. Me and my claustrophobic self don't blame him.

After all our playing, it was onto the main event, Evan's sister Julia's wedding. She got married in the LA temple so six years later, Evan and I got to go back to the place where it all began for us. Notice my sunburned legs that seriously match my shirt. It hurts just thinking about it.

Waiting for the bride and groom to arrive.
Evan's fam. Oh and I know that I'm looking taller than the hubby but I swear I'm standing on the step above him.
Celebrating my 29th - one year and counting till the big one.
Colt and his BFF cousin Anna. Is it just me or has Colt never looked happier?
A few days after coming home from California, the kids and I took off to spend the majority of July in Texas. The kids loved getting spoiled by Nana (case in point - the train ride below) and getting donuts with Papa. My kids could not get enough of baby Gavin. They refuse to say his name without the "baby" in front of it. Wonder how Gavin's gonna feel about that when they're all teenagers.
We also got in our annual trip to Sea World, thanks to awesome Aunt Valerie.
After Texas, it was off to Wisconsin to see my friend Rach and stay at her family's cabin. I had yummy food and a good friend to talk to. The boys had frogs, dirt, and a Spiderman life jacket. It was a win/win situation for everyone.
Whew - I think that's it for the Big Summer '10. We're back to real life, Colt started preschool (is he really going to kindergarten next year?), and I'm trying to remember how to cook and clean my house. Now onto my favorite season of the year and its apple/pumpkin desserts in all their glory.