wrapping up summer

 

it seems that summer is finally coming to a close. even though we still have hot days, they are different. they start with crisp mornings and end with cool evenings. it is the period of limbo where you never know what outfit to wear in the morning because it might be inappropriate by afternoon.

this was such a great summer. one of my favorites ever. it was a summer of having randy home more often. a much needed randy refill after his recital prep and execution. it was a summer of amazing family vacations with both sides of the family and really rich memories from those trips. it was the summer of daily walks with the girls, rolling around in the grass, and spending lots of time in the backyard. it was a summer of gardening, yardwork, and food preservation. it was a summer of running around in airy skirts and flip-flops and just feeling lighter in general. it was a really awesome summer. i'm a little sad to see it go, but excited for fall and winter and all that they bring. randy is dying to go to a cornmaze with the girls, and madeleine can't stop talking about pumpkins or her birthday. some things are coming sooner than others.

here are some pictures from our last couple weeks of summer. nothing really tying them together, just wrapping up loose ends. a typical picture-heavy post from me.

 

we lived on this quilt this summer

a nice tantrum shot

do you like how i caught that drool on camera mid-drip?

madeleine's not going to know what to do with herself once she can't spend all afternoon outside

 

diane had fallen asleep in her highchair and i went to take a picture, but she finally literally nodded off  and hit her head on the tray. she was kind of sad. poor thing was very tired.

nice recovery

a little dazed and disoriented.

 

we got a quick little visit from my niece last week during a last minute trip to utah. madeleine was elated to spend the morning with lainey and the two were inseparable.  i wish we lived closer to them.

 

and to usher in fall...

 rah. rah. rah, rah, rah. 

   rah. rah. rah, rah, rah.   

rah. rah. rah, rah, rah.

goooooo, cougars!

(they're going to need all the help they can get this season)