lately, around here, this summer...

we've been busy. doing nothing terribly significant. and loving every minute of it.

...{summer highlights include}...

Picnics. Lots of Saturday and Sunday afternoon picnics in the park. There is nothing better than a cool shady spot to waste away a summer afternoon, especially when Daddy can join us.

More summer evenings at the Deer Valley Music Festival. We've loved seeing the Utah Symphony perform up there along with some really incredible guest performers like Indina Menzel (who I just so happen to be obsessed with).

Leah totally loves it as much as CJ and I do, and I love exposing her to such great intelligent music.


Sno-Cones. What would summer be without sno-cones and slurpees, right? Leah is just as in love with her chewy straw and plain ice-flavored shaved ice as mama is with her beetlejuice!



Outdoor Cooking. Finally having a grill has been one of my favorite parts of summer this year. We've been loving cooking anything and everything outside. Steaks, chicken, salmon, pineapple, veggies, burgers and more. yummo.

Swimming. Lots of swimming. Usually until our piggies look like this....

Gardening. We have loved having a garden this year and have been devouring all of the fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, peppers and more. Leah got to pick the very first ripe tomato!

We've been putting our abundance of zucchinis to good use with treats for family and friends!

Family Time. Lots of it. Between swimming with cousins, playdates at Grandma's and a weekend family reunion in Idaho. We've spent lots of time lovin' on our families this summer.

Homemade Ice Cream. Oh my. Without a doubt, the best/worst thing that has happened to us in a long time. CJ's sister suprised us with an early birthday gift for Chris earlier this summer and we have done a bang-up job breaking it in. Lemon gelato, fresh peach, natural vanilla bean, rootbeer freezes, frozen raspberry lemonade. Oh and the salted caramel custard ice cream from last weekend might have changed my life. so.freaking.delicious.

Child-Proofing. The littlemiss is now fully mobile and on the move which means all kinds of annoying things... like child-lock gates with doors so skinny that it's nearly impossible to walk through with anything in your hands (like, oh um... a baby, or groceries.)

Good thing she's so ridiculously cute. It turns out she's totally worth it. Go figure.

Friends & Neighbors. Last night we closed down our entire street with barricades (and police approval) for a back to school street party. CJ was a large part of making this party happen and it was a huge success. There were ice cream cones, treats, waterballoons, a sidewalk chalk art gallery, wide open spaces for scooter, bike and big wheel races and loads of fun with some of our besties. We love our neighborhood so much.... for reasons exactly like this!! It was so fun to have so many out... from old to young, visiting, dancing, playing and running through the street without a care in the world. Lucky, lucky us!!

Although it's hard to believe (and a little sad) that summer is already drawing to a close and the kiddies are back in school... we have a few things that we're looking forward to as we prepare to usher in the cooler (I hope) days of fall...

Canyon Campfire. Next week's FHE with hot dogs, s'mores, roasted banana boats and all of our neighborhood besties.

Kindermusik Classes. We're scheduled to start her first class on September 16th and we are giddy with excitement. I'm pretty sure she is going to LOVE it. Music and being around other kiddos is right up this girl's alley!

Football Season. Another fun year is about to get underway. And thanks to Aunt JoJo, Leah is all set with her gear!

A Mini-Vacation. We're looking forward to a fun weekend trip to Daddy's old mission stomping grounds... and a football game to boot.

Birthday Girl. It's hard to believe that in less than 6 weeks, Littlemiss Leah will be a year old. Crazy and surreal. Plans for her birthday bash are well underway and we couldn't be more excited!

Creamery's almost closing. :)

Halloween and Leah's homegrown pumpkin. (it's so cute and starting to turn orange!) Oh and costume time.

And this little girl and her mama are both looking forward to sweater and boot season!!

or, even better... sweater boots.

♥