Everyday Blessings: October 2012

For the last two nights we have been able to keep the windows open allowing the cool night air to settle into our home. To celebrate the onset of Fall and hopefully a final good-bye to the hot and humid temperatures (and the outrageous electric bills) here is a recap of our amazing summer...

If you only knew how many wonderful stories I have in my head for each of the pictures...even though none of the memories were written down these photos really require no words to capture the feeling, time, place...

We spent hours at Chris' grandparent's pool...here's the absolute fearless one in the family. I think this is my favorite picture of the entire Summer. The look on his face, his outstretched arms, the amount of air between his feet, the edge of the pool and his daddy's waiting hands represents this life-loving little man perfectly.

Camping with the family at Yucaipa Regional Park. I love this picture because it reminds me of our butterfly catching adventures. Luke and I were "chasing" this beautiful, massive yellow swallowtail butterfly...he soon became tired of the chase, but for any of you that know me, you know that butterflies are my FAVORITE! I spent pretty much an entire morning trying to get one in my net. People pulling into the campsite must have laughed big ole' belly giggles to see a thirty-something year old girl running aimlessly through the trees with a teeny tiny butterfly net...persistence worked -- I caught the magnificent flyer and showed it to the boys. Two hours of chasing for five minutes of observation in the bug dome...so worth it!

I have a love/hate relationship with this picture. Obviously I love it because it has the most handsome young man enjoying his time while camping at Crystal Cove State Beach...and I hate it because it makes him look like such a BIG BOY! Oh Owen, slow down buddy...you are growing too big for this mama. This picture also reminds me of ALL the other pictures I've taken of this little guy while we've been at a beach over the last five years and how quickly he has changed.

Hiking above Crystal Cove State Beach...

I have to say that the beach and ocean waves have this mystical power over my boys...they become mesmerized by the crashing waves and just stare off into the sea. I'm so curious as to what they both are thinking...