summer wrap-up

it was a really good one.  we had such special time with so many people we love.  we played the music loud and let it waft in the backyard.  the kids logged a lot of hours on the dirt pile.  t.j. and i perfected our moscow mule recipe.  we did not cross the state line once.  

uncle jesse and aunt tracy are such pros with the kids.  we're so honored that they came to visit us.  i think the highlight might have been seeing the aftermath of t.j. and jess riding in the urban assault race (a big bike scavenger hunt)....they were both totally wiped out--t.j. asleep on his bed, and jess asleep on our dining room floor in front of the swamp cooler (this was before we got air conditioning installed).   oh, and also when a skunk fell down our window well and woke them up at four in the morning.  :)  don't worry, we made a skunk ladder and he climbed out the next night.  

then, there was the time t.j. took topper (our neighbor) to the new belgium brewery...

and you know it, the eddys came out for an incredible visit.  sure, it included one of the most harrowing hikes i've ever taken with a pack of little children (resulting in a sprained ankle), but all was made right when we got home and took a shot of whiskey.  those eddys, keeping it real...

while they were here, we celebrated maybell's birthday.  i felt so honored to be a part of her big day.

a very special visit from sarah, adam, arlo and abbie, sam, henry.  wow, we love these people so much. our late night of playing fish bowl (is that what it's called?) stands out a such a fun, hilarious time.  at the time, i remember thinking, "i wish all of life was as good as this".  

(thanks, abbie, for the above family photo)