It finally feels like summer is really over with the heat wave behind us. As hot as it was through, it was NOTHING compared to the heat in Maryland. I dreaded summer every year I was there, and although some days were pretty hot here, it never really phased me because of what I was used to. Shade works here! Also, I got about three mosquito bites all summer, and they didn’t even show up until the end of the summer. Quite a change from the east coast. There are a lot of things I miss about MD, but the hot, sticky summers are not among them.
As usual, I didn’t have time to posts things as they happened, so it’s time for a picture party where I cover everything I missed between big posts. Since I have really been slacking, I’m going to break it into a couple parts. Here we go:
We found Ruby like this one Saturday night. All ready for Church!
First of many homemade ice cream flavors this season, Cherries Garcia.
Poor Bennett slipped and hit the fireplace. Still makes me cringe.
Sometimes it just happens.
We miss out little twin neighbors since they moved.
Love the play dough creativity.
I believe they asked me to take this picture.
Centennial Park is still a favorite.
Ruby decorated her room with Beatrix Potter one day.
We all really enjoyed watermelon season.
Fun with moving tape.
We spent a day in Evergreen, CO where one of KC’s best friends Neal and his family were visiting. Such sweet friends and a gorgeous place. And just a quick hour from home! I can’t wait to go back.
I guess she gets bored of wearing pjs all the time.
The boys don’t know what’s about to hit them.
My friend Whitney invited us to her awesome complex pool a lot this summer. It was gorgeous. We loved it there.
They refuse to take naps in their beds since we got rid of cribs. But there have been many naps on the couch or in the car. Poor kids are more tired than they want to admit.
We are always up for art time. This “self-portrait” of Ruby both cracks me up and creeps me out.
Amber gave us a bunch of alphabet stickers, and boy did those provide hours of entertainment. Love this palindrome I found. Must have run out of Ys.
Occasionally I’m crazy enough to take them all out. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. And we still get a lot of stares.
Our side street is one of the best things about this house. We play with friends all the time, trading bikes and toys around. So glad we don’t have to worry about too much traffic.
Usually Daddy is requested for reading time.
I have no place to call my own.
We love Friday Park days with our new ward friends. This time someone brought baseball gear, and the kids really got into it. Maybe next year…
My closet is a playground for Ruby.
Laughing in the backyard.
Alex surprised me with some “painted” (colored with makers) toes one day.
Just cute.
We had our first real dinner at our new table on Fathers Day. Turns out Salmon is a favorite among the kids. Love having space for all the plates AND the food.
Random photo shoot.
I had to go to Lowes one day before KC went to work. This boy woke up early and saw I was leaving, so I took him on a little date. The cutie talked about that for weeks like it was the best thing that ever happened to him. We need more little dates.
Love their color-coordinated outfits. They’ve really taken to the colors assigned to them for our convenience at birth.
The made up a game one day called “Hide the Lid.” Not a huge fan.
I can’t push the swings high enough for this girl.
Making random friends at the park, as usual.
The mall fountain was a hit.
We usually leave a trail of stickers wherever we go.
They love the Disney Store. One, they were treated like royalty, with crowns, prizes, and activities just for them.
A favorite splash pad in Highlands Ranch.
Didn’t you love doing this as a kid?
On the last day of swimming lessons, they got to ride down the slide. Ruby was the only taker.
I was asked to teach an Éclair lesson for a church group. It was fun getting all set up to teach, and brush up on some skills. And I met some great ladies.
Bennett is always making some creation or another.
KC’s work had a luau. It was great. So much for the kids to do. And so much great food.
He came out of church like this. Ugh.
Playing in the unfolded laundry. Lovely.
Good thing this the “art table”.
Friend snuggles.
I think I heard them saying something about walking through a jungle…
Alex was so proud of putting on his sunscreen all by himself.
Gotta keep Fuzzy Bear safe.
Love this hand-holding phase.
Still get a kick of seeing three plates in a row. They didn’t appreciate their waffle grilled cheese picnic lunch as much as I did.
They treat the snow gear like dress-ups.
One time our park group met at the Aurora Reservoir. A beach! We played for hours. It was beautiful.
He’s so proud.
Our grilled pizza was hailed-out. So we baked them instead. Then it cleared up and we grilled. Best of both worlds!
That night we had an incredible lightening storm. We brought the kids into our room and watched out the window together for a long time. There was much excitement! A fun memory.
Jen, Brad, and McKenna brought over their huge inflatable water slide! Kid heaven! Such a fun day with our good friends. 
That’s right, this is only part one. It was a big summer. More to come, hopefully before Halloween.
