Trying to find summer

There are 3 reasons why this summer has started off a little different than our usual June....
(other than me leaving for a week right as school gets out!)



#1: as soon as graduation wrapped up, the high school went under full demolition/remodel mode! This meant that all the time I usually spend in June in the office for paperwork and end-of-year tasks was either cut short or nixed all together! While I finished all the necessary work from a remote office, I found myself with more time to enjoy being at home and settle into "summer mode"






#2: Hamp is a working man. He got a summer job as a lifeguard at the Rec Center indoor pool and is there about 20-30 hours a week. It's not that he desperately needed the money - but he did really need something to do other than play xbox and stare at his phone all summer! He has proven to be (not to my surprise) very responsible and he likes the job well enough... though neither of us are too fond of the opening shift at 4:30AM. Needless to say, he has discovered the joy and necessity of "down time"!


So with me not in the office and Hamp at work, Sam has had more opportunity to play!  (no big brother to cramp his style and mom available to play chauffeur = fun times!)




#3: This summer has been particularly wet and cold. With a generous snowpack still trying to thaw, the rivers were too high to run and the lake was cold and the trails were still either snowy or muddy at best! But that didn't stop us from finding fun.... Sam & I went with friends to find hiking trails that were dry (and waterfalls that were awesome!) and we danced with friends downtown at Meekerpalooza despite cold, wet weather! And we did eventually break down and braved some chilly days at the lake - it just wouldn't be summer if we weren't on the water!










By the 4th of July the days had warmed up and the boys were in full summer mode of working, playing and finding adventure! After the parade, both Hamp & Sam signed up for the 3-on-3 basketball games and then we all enjoyed fireworks together from the deck of our favorite friends!

And all the adventure has left Gabe resting in the eye of the storm - always lazing on the couch or catching rays in the yard! I strive to enjoy moments with him as he seems to be aging quickly before our eyes.... and being with him this summer keeps me in check to always remember to slow down and enjoy the sunshine!