Summer Time Here We Come!

Today was Nate & Abbie's last day of school for this year. Yipee Yahoo!

I really love having my kids home for summer, sure there will be days that they drive me loopy loo but I really like them as people and they (for the most part) get a long, so I'm ready for some summer fun and less alarm clock.

For a bit of nostalgia - their first official day of school this year (3rd grade for Abbie & 5th for Nate)

Now for today - their last day - the are growing/changing/maturing before my eyes! (Abbie, you silly girl stand up straight you're almost as tall as Nate!)

Our annual summer trip to see the grandparents will be here before we know it. It's a lot of work, laundry, stress, packing, driving & driving - did I mention driving?!....not much of a vacation at all really (well not for me anyway) but my kids loving seeing their grandparents! I grew up with both sets of my grandparents in the same town, what a tremendous blessing I now know that was. Having no real family support where we live has had it's ups and downs, especially on those days you could really use backup. That said we've got some truly amazing friends who are just like family to us, but that's a post for another day. It's really important for my kids to have time with their grandparents - to make memories and bond with them, so load 'em up we'll be on our way before you know it & before I'm ready I'm sure. (The following pictures & video are from last summer's trip.)

The countdown is on! Last year's battle wounds have healed, time to make more memories!

Summer is here - bring on the family fun!

Jump Jump Jump for JOY!
Summer time flip out - 2012 (you can't really tell - but it's a video link. Click to watch)

I am so very very grateful that we have the opportunities to have fun as a family. 
Nothing means more to me than Dan and the kids. Nothing.