We Love Summer!!

Growing up in Arizona, I don't recall saying that I loved summer very often.  If I did it was because school was out, but most of us Phoenicians couldn't wait to be rid of the 110+ degrees!  Now, living in a midwestern climate, summer means freedom after a long and agonizing winter and must be taken full advantage of :)

This is our last midwest summer for the foreseeable future and we are attempting to savor each moment.  Between opposite work schedules, summer school, and all the other activities that keep us running around here is what we've been up to lately.

This wasn't exactly summer yet but in April, over Easter, mom came and stayed with us for a week!  We had a wonderful time being together and so enjoyed having her live life with us :)

Shigs in Pit

Summer means golf in on every weekend!

Toward the end of the school year, the girls in my Service class and I painted mason jars and filled them with flowers for the Houseparent women.

In May we welcomed home Olivia, the first to begin the move back to Indiana!

@Crepe Bar

Also in May, we took Amanda with us to Phoenix for a long Memorial Day weekend with my family.  We ate good food and enjoyed great company!

@ Culinary Dropout in Tempe

In June, Danielle organized a 13 mile hike west of Huntington around the Salamonie Reservoir.  We were the only 3 brave enough to go with her.  It was a hot and muggy day after daysssss of serious rain.  At first we tried to avoid the massive puddles but gave up and trudged through the mud for the whole hike.  By about mile 8 or 9 I was losing my positive attitude due to the aching feet, legs, and blisters and by mile 11 I was done!  Amanda and I plopped down at mile 12.5 by the side of the road and told Zach and Danielle to come back for us when they got to the car ;)  

To celebrate our (almost) 13 mile victory, we ate all the calories we burned with a Mexican feast!  Fun memories :)

With all the rhubarb in the garden I've experimented with pie.  Starting to get the hang of it!  Forgot an "after" photo :(

We hosted dinner, games, and fireworks on the 4th again this year and by 10pm we had over 50 people in or outside the house!  I had some time to try out Pinterest inspired 4th of July decor :)

This past weekend we stayed with Jon and Ally in Sadorus, IL and helped them work on their fixer-upper.  Zach helped get a TON of the siding done and looked like quite the stud with that tool belt!  He's now asking for one for Christmas ;)

We love summer!!!