Happy Panic

I've been experiencing that end of summer panic which includes worrying if I squeezed all I could out of summer and hyperventilating over the impending winter.

Did I hike enough? Never
Did I spend enough warm summer nights outside?
Did I make enough watermelon margaritas? (hobbes' hair!)

These are the real-life, very serious concerns that have tormented my soul this week. Because everybody knows that Autumn begins after Labor Day, even though it isn't officially Autumn yet. Also, it's 5 am on Saturday, the last day of August as I write this. Can you tell I'm concerned!

And yet...I think I'm more excited than anything else. I spend all year counting down the days and weeks until Fall. Do I even need to list the reasons why? Okay I will!

leaves
football
peaches
crisp air
my birthday
boots
acorns
sweaters
harvest
pumpkins

Okay, okay I have talked myself back from the ledge. Consider this a farewell letter to Summer - you've been good and kind, Summer, and I look forward to next year. Farewell, so long, sayonara sucker I'm jumping in with both feet - no diving head first into fall.

Some pics to send Summer on his way:

 teach them young I always say

 Calvin's first four-wheeler ride

 The most perfect, beautiful night on the farm

 no caption necessary

Canyon time and Morg working it by the fire

 Summer attire

 Because Hobbes doesn't get enough camera time these days

 More of that perfect night

A day at the lake that left Calvin unimpressed

Packing to my death

 FULL DISCLOSURE: This hike nearly killed me. I swear to you I am not in that bad of shape. Or maybe I am. But that 20 lb papoose who insists on leaning over my right shoulder like a fat drooly parrot that pulls my hair doesn't make it any easier.

Look at that face though! Every time the breeze would catch his hair he would tilt his head back and smile. Morgan was very patient with my slow pace, the morning was perfectly overcast, C fell asleep on the way down, PLUS we saw a big turtle on our drive back. So...I call the hike a success, despite thinking I would die a shameful death and roll down the mountain with my baby while attempting a less than one mile hike.

an autumn post that needs no title

Provo canyon really is an amazing place. Morg and I hiked Stewart Falls a few weeks ago and found it as beautiful as always.

The next day we met up with the whole Bateman family sans Collin for a pumpkin patch adventure. I'm pretty sure I could have stayed there all day soaking in the sights and smells of all things Autumn. 

Jeff took his pumpkin hunting as seriously as he takes his Christmas tree searching. I, of course, quickly found one and waited out Jeff's search for perfection.

Then we found the giant slide. The Giant Slide. Plus gunny sacks for optimum speed. I was just sad I couldn't tackle it on my stomach.

 I went for tall and skinny this year. (Trying to channel my desired shape)

I would like these wellies to be my constant companion for the next six months. Rainy Saturday mornings are best spent wandering around in these.

a break from the blahhhhzayy

 i was kind of feeling the dog days of summer for a little bit at the end of july and wishing fall would show its glorious face. then august came and BAM! we haven't had a second more to sit and fan our sweaty faces because it has been go go go.

 my brain must be fried with everything going on. i ordered tickets for the family to go see 7 brides for 7 brothers at sundance. when we showed up our tickets were for the week before. luckily the very nice sundance people let us in, but by that time we were in the waaaaaay back. it was still a great show though.

 we hosted an outdoor movie night. the feature  presentation was an all-time summer classic...the sand lot. so good. as was the company and treats.

even our week-days have been busy. jeff and i went to a movie one afternoon and this is how we found the theater. we have decided we will always see movies like old people from now on. hello 4pm matinees.

 my dad took the girls to see wicked at capitol theater in SL. it was amazing.

and last but not least we said good-bye see you in two years to little brother collin. he left to serve a two year LDS mission in the philippines. seeing him off was exciting/excruciating/inspiring and made me glad i'm only his sister not mother cause it was hard enough!

 and while i can't wait to embrace autumn with its flannel, cider, boots, scarves, leaves, etc. etc. (can you tell i LOVE fall?) we still have a lot more to do as we wish good-bye to summer.

life through my iPhone

our festive 4th of july banner made by me (no sewing involved of course)

 

 a game of croquet with friends to celebrate independence day

below: enjoying a pioneer day rodeo in which bulls got so dizzy they fell over and sheep leaped through the air

 artichokes growing in our garden...at our house..in utah...who would have thought

 the discovery of my new favorite pizza place in midway (of course it would be in that perfectly cute little town) with mom, morg, anden, and britt

frequent trips to fruit stands have begun. all of these raspberries were eaten by me. 

i'm not even sorry jeff

old mines, tall mountains, and dusty trails

Last weekend found us on a little adventure in the mountains with Jeff's little sis Aly and her husband Brady. By the end we were completely covered in dust after four-wheeling up high around Mt. Nebo. I love our picture attempts in the dark, damp old mines. We felt like real life adventurers trekking through the dark, though I kept anticipating a badger or bear charging at me.

Happenings

Things have been crazy busy lately and oh so good. Hello...look at this gorgeous weather (minus the impending storm outside right now.)

 We shot some serious guns. Lace and a beastly gun like that one should always go together.

 Random Hobbes picture...why not?

Conference cook-off round 2.

This year we did pizzas. I took dead last. But that's partly because all the other creations were killer, and because Jeff thought a different pizza was mine...always looking out for me that kid is.

They take their judging responsibilities very seriously.

Jeff finishes his semester this week (wahoo!) and then comes vacation time. Ahhh yes...I can see us lounging on the beach now.