Where has summer gone?

I am feeling anxious today, like I am loosing grasp on a good thing and can't get it back. Because summer is fading fast and crazy jam packed fall is quickly approaching. I just registered Madison at school, updated our soccer registration, organized a meeting to plan our fall semester of music group, researched a few things for Beckham's co-op preschool and inquired about a new job at 24hr. Fitness. All of which will begin in September. It gave me the feeling that summer is over and my life is going to explode into frantic busyness. So what did I do about it? Well, I went and planned a bazillion play dates trying to hold onto what little summer is left. Nice. And now, I will post this random blog of our summer fun dating back into July because I am that far behind!

Besides sleeping in, wearing our pajamas all day, playing with neighbors and friends, going berry picking and eating countless Popsicles, here is a little of what we have been up to...
We got away with friends from church to go camping. Besides getting NO sleep, it was a great time. After we packed our tent up at that campsite, we moved out a bit further east and met my parents near The Gorge Amphitheatre in George Washington. They came up to help watch the kids so we could go see Cold Play at the Gorge. We saw The Police there last year and loved it so much that we decided to make sure we go out there at least once a year. The venue can't be beat and the crowds are completely entertaining on their own. Cold Play was amazing, they sure know how to play to the crowd. They moved around the audience, sent big yellow balloons around the crowd, and shot millions of paper butterflies out of giant canons. Besides rockin' out at the concert we swam with the kids at the campground and hung out in papa's truck cause it's "totally awesome" according to Bex.

We survived some record breaking temperatures here in the Puget Sound. One day we were the hottest spot in the nation! Yes, even hotter than Phoenix. This wouldn't be such a big deal except not very many people have AC out here because, "it doesn't get that hot in Seattle." Ya right! Our house reached 90 inside and I wasn't about to hang around to see how much hotter it got. I took the kids and lived at the lake, beach, and air conditioned mall for a few days! I am lucky that we live withing 10 min of about 4 lakes so I could take my pick! Thankfully those hot temperatures didn't last long and we are now back to our regular 75-80 degree summer days!

Luther Burbank Park is a family favorite. It is on Lake Washington and has a great sandy beach and shallow swimming are for the kids. We went back many times this summer bringing different friends along... Rattlesnake Lake is a great spot to hike and swim. It is absolutely beautiful there and we had fun exploring with our neighbors.

Beckham made a new friend this summer, his name is Beau. Beckham really thinks he is his best friend and talks about him 24/7. Our friends came over for dinner and brought Beau along just for Bex. He fed Beau, read Beau books, gave Beau his toys, sang songs to Beau, and sat on Beau. Every time Beckham sees Beau's owners, all he wants to know is "Where's Beau?" We recently got the kids 2 African miniature frogs and Beckham named his Beau froggie. Perfect.
Ronnie went camping with some of the youth from church. They seem to have had a blast at the beach playing boccie ball, surfing, skim boarding, flying kites, and roasting hot dogs. All pictures courtesy of Matt And I hope I don't offend anyone here, but I just can't stop laughing. Matt calls this one "Ronnie visits nature."