June was full of fun. Indoors, outdoors. For the water-inclined and the land-lubbers. A little bit of everything to kick off this first month of summer.
I had my bucket-list in hand, and started checking off the family adventures as fast as our weekends would allow it.
We kicked off summer-palooza with a Saturday trip to the splash park.
The following day, Sunday, we had our first official pool session!
Now normally, we'd head on down to the City Park Pool. But this year, we had quite a special treat. Access to Grandma and Grandpa's neighborhood pool.
A short drive, quiet and cozy, and completely free! Plus lots of little friends for my boys to play with.
The baby pool area was a perfect place for the kiddos to build up their water confidence. We geared up for the season, investing in goggles, swim diapers, squirt guns, and flotation devices. By the end of summer, both older boys could stick their heads under the water while holding their breath. And they were both comfortable doing cannon balls of the edge. It was quite a transformation to witness, from water-timid to water-fierce!
One thing I really like about my parents, is they're not opposed to getting a little messy. No matter the activity, they'll jump right in and join the fun. They're not afraid to play.
They were quite often the first ones in the pool. Swimming and splashing right along with the kids.
Back on dry land, Rowan (9 months old) worked on his standing and cruising skills. We suspected that he would be our earliest walker. (However, this suspicion turned out to be quite false.)
Here we are taking one of our many strolls around the neighborhood.
The paper bag in Sage's hand indicates this walk was also a "nature treasure hunt." Quite often we will collect pine cones, sticks, and leaves along the way, with the intent to craft something later.
Ok, so who's ready for a pool encore?
Round #2, here we go!
This year, we became members of the Museum of Science and Nature. Just a quick drive to Denver, and a full day of exploring!
Sage, taking after his own photo-obsessed mama, brought along his camera to document the day.
Now this might just make our family Christmas card....
Look at that trio!
The garden made good progress this month.
We transplanted the final round of seedlings.
Then watched everything double - eventually triple - in size.
There's more than one way to get to the Little Library....
We had a block party. (The 2nd annual! Just no rock-climbing wall this time.)
It's pictures like these that make me cringe as the idea of winter.
So lush. So green. So sunny.
The yard becomes such a barren wasteland come December. And stays that way for 4 long months.
And when time allowed, we got cookin in the kitchen.
My kids went crazy over this applesauce.
I discovered a great use for garden basil.
Strawberries, cream cheese, and basil on an english muffin.
And my first ever french onion soup!
Vegetarian style.
Last but not least, I'm happy to release the newest installment to the Kale Photography Collection:
