Monday, July 18, 2011

(It's) Crazy (that) summer (is half over)

J. Lamb 2011
I would love to sit here and share with you some inspirational anecdotes about making the best of the season, but alas we've yet to do anything spectacular. Second year in a row without a vacation and second year in a row being light on funds. I envy people and their ability to travel (even with their kids) when we seem to be trapped in a cycle of circumstance. Too much debt at the moment and obligation will do that to you....sigh, being a grown-up is hard sometimes.

We have tried our hardest to make the best of the situation though. The summer has been unusually cool (when you consider we have a good solid 3 months of triple digits and we've experienced maybe a couple of weeks of them is all) and this has lent us the opportunity to do a lot of walks to the park in the evenings and bike rides.

J. Lamb 2011
We've engaged in some projects on the cheap as well. Adree and I have been making jewelry and we all had a hugely successful tie-dye session recently as well! We bought a pack of UNO cards and a Jenga set and have enjoyed playing with them too.

J. Lamb 2011
We've enjoyed watering the sunflowers that mysteriously appear in our very unattractive and weedy backyard every summer.

J. Lamb 2011
We had small, but fantastic plans for this particular holiday as well. (I love this picture by the way, don't you?)

J. Lamb 2011
Altered a bit, the kids and I set off to enjoy the scenery and fun stuff that can only be enjoyed by visiting my hometown. My folks are selling my childhood home and I needed the opportunity to say goodbye. Not that I won't ever visit again, but it won't be the same without my parents living there.

J. Lamb 2011
We had a blast jumping off rocks at "The Lake". Seth is waving before he jumps about 8 feet down into the water.

J. Lamb 2011
It's been so many years since I've been to the lake, I almost forgot how much fun it really is! The kids and I enjoyed it for 3 hours before becoming sun-baked enough to want to leave. We will have to go back again as a whole family for sure!

We packed it up and went back to my parent's for a shower and headed off to enjoy some of the best cuisine that can only be enjoyed there. Delicious burgers/sandwiches at Slackers and "Rainbows" (a delicious treat of slushy and soft serve ice cream combined) at R.D.'s.

J. Lamb 2011
We walked down to the "White House" overlook and took in the scenery. I knew I was successful after everyone had complained about going and I got a comment from Drake, "I'm glad you made us come here, it's beautiful!". Success. ;0)

J. Lamb 2011
Adree and Seth thought it was awesome to sit on the rocks and overlook the dam and the Colorado River flowing through Glen Canyon below.

J. Lamb 2011
Our dear little fuzzy child is hanging in there after a nasty accident involving a very heavy air-hockey table in which he escaped relatively unscathed. No broken bones, no internal bleeding. He is suffering from an enlarged liver and a collapsing trachea either of which could be caused by old age (he's ancient in doggy years), but are more than likely caused or at the very least aggravated by the accident. He's hanging in there though with much love and jars of baby food! The enlarged liver has caused a severe light sensitivity (nocturnal walks have become the norm) and if it's possible, he has become even more neurotic. Pacing constantly and obsessive/compulsive licking have taking over his waking hours. Sucks to get old I guess! ;0D