summer is here

only two weeks into summer and i can say that i have...

gone on a roadtrip (a few, in fact)

planted tomatoes and a pot of basil and thyme

enjoyed a 312 (the only beer i've decided i can say i "like")

eaten a hot dog

collected lakeshore stones and driftwood

begun summer letter-writing

enjoyed backyard "make believe" with a 5 and 9 year old

gone kayaking on a pond

aided in the capture of a beautiful painted turtle (and watched the delight of two little boys who held it captive in a bucket on the beach for awhile)

jumped into a lake on a summer night

gone slacklining

begun summer reading

gotten sunburned

...the list goes on a bit...

the point is, things are off to a very pleasant start :)

here are a few of Jake's pictures from the trip to the U.P.

I absolutely love this one. haha. this was mom and dad's first house after they were married. it's now being turned into a "historic home" up near the old copper mine...crazy.

the Calument Water Works. This is one of the world's most beautiful beaches, I'm convinced. breathtaking shoreline...

out near our Coles Creek house:

the bridge! man, I love this place...

and there is much yet to look forward to. these are good days.

oh, and i mustn't forget, i also became an aunt "again."

i can hardly wait to see these two in July...