If I am completely honest, my absolute favorite summer outing is swimming with our friends. I love it because there is little planning involved and once you are there you just get to hang out and talk with friends. Well, at least that was how it was before Jack came along and Lucy got sick. I will always remember the summer of 2010. Lucy and Ella were self-sufficient in the pool and so were their friends. Almost every single day a group of us got together and swam for a few hours. The kids swam and the mothers laid out (carefully watching the kiddos like hawks). I think back on that summer with a heavy heart, wondering if I will ever get to that point in my life again.
Last summer was a total bust, so I won't even talk about that one. This summer, however, had some fun memories that helped erase some of the horrible ones that were also made. By all honest accounts this summer was one I want to forget. Lucy almost died from Meningitis and she had 2 brain surgeries. Fun times!
HOWEVER...we did manage to take 3 amazing trips that I will always remember. I want to add as a precursor that I know how blessed we were as a family to be able to take these trips. I am so grateful to Dr. Bush and another special person who made our trip to the beach possible. Without Erik's parents the trip to the mountains would not have been possible and my parents and grandparents are totally responsible for our trips to the lake. Seriously, we are a blessed family.
Beach Trip
Mountain Trip
Lake House
You guys are so blessed to have been able to get away like you did this summer! We spent most of our summer at our cottage on the lake. We also managed to sneak in a trip to see my family on the coast.
ReplyDeleteLike you Kate our favorite thing about Summer is swimming outside - jut love it.
ReplyDeleteAnd can't wait to hear how others spend their Summer.
Loving these link-ups, Kate! Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteAmanda
Beautiful photo's!
ReplyDeleteWonderful family memories<3
These are wonderful photos and testament to how you make lemonade out of a scarey situation.
ReplyDeleteI loved these photos from your beach trip. The beach is definitely my happy place!! love it.
ReplyDeleteHi Kate,
ReplyDeleteGreat pics!! I know these past two years have been incredibly hard on your whole family. I am so glad you did have some fun times with great memories to help ease the pain of the tough ones.
My favourite thing to do in the summer is to find a mountain and go climbing. :) We haven't done that this summer yet, but I do plan to make sure the family and I get out and climb soon. It seems that the plans I made became a flop and problems arose that were out of my control. :s
Blessings,
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We love to swim, too! We bought one of those above ground pools from Walmart last summer---best purchase ever! My little one is very sensory-seeking (Autism) and his OT says that the water offers input like nothing else. (Explains a lot!)
ReplyDeleteKate, you desrved the few trips that you were all able to go on. I am glad that you family got a few good weeks of enjoyment. I am hoping next summer will be one that will make you feel like this year was a passing nightmare and it is over.
ReplyDelete