(did I mention that I have a full-time job? one where I stare at the computer 95% of the work day? and so, this poor little blog, has taken very last place on my list of computer-based activities)

Before my students started school, we were blessed to escape to Avila Beach for a Labor Day retreat, thanks to Aunt Kathy and Uncle Ernie. I didn’t want to come home (and that was before I knew how crazy my job would be!).

I think Jack took this one.

We beached, barned, and breakfasted while in Avila. Delightful!

Are you planning a trip to Avila Beach anytime soon? We ate breakfast at the cutest little general store (they also serve lunch). I can’t wait to go back with someone other than Andrew who will share one of their amazing baked goods with me

The Avila Market has a fun outdoor sitting area; we preferred the cozy leather recliners inside. And yes, we’ve become THOSE parents who let their kid play cell phone games while they eat out at restaurants. You win some, you lose some, right?!

Next up, Beau’s 30th birthday party in October.

Beau and his friends like to play music together. For Beau’s birthday party, they had a group sing-a-long with lots of instrumental accompaniment. The next photo is blurry, but notice the Mr. in his little rocking chair, smack in the middle of the group! Jack LOVED the music and we stayed way past his bedtime because he was having so much fun. (Special thanks to Beau for inviting us and his friends for being gracious with a three-year-old among them!)

At this rate, I’ll get to Thanksgiving by January

And then I got a full-time teaching job (working from home), and Jack started preschool four days a week, and Andrew moved to a new unit with an awesome 12-10pm schedule. Phew!

September has been a month of huge transition for us. These are really good changes for our little family; as with any new season of life it’s taking us a while to adjust.  Andrew & Jack are forging new routines together on weekdays while I am holed up in our office. They make breakfast for all of us, then play until time for preschool. On Fridays,  Andrew is usually home and the boys run errands, visit “David and Janet” (as Jack calls his grandparents!), go to the park, etc. It is lovely for me to be able to check in with them throughout the day… or listen from the office while Jack sings along to silly songs Andrew plays on the guitar.

I’ve just got to learn to set some boundaries with work and stop checking my email at 11:30pm, and then I’ll be set!

I wonder if the people reading this blog think we’re nuts for doing the same things over and over. Like vacationing every summer in Mammoth (and for the second year, going up twice in the same summer). Then again, if you’ve ever spent time with my dad – or Jack – you will see that this practice is a sort of personality trait. Once you find something you like, you should try to do/experience/listen to it as much as possible, according to them.

This round we changed it up a bit by camping near the cabin where my parents stay. Though the “squitoes” tried, they could not dampen the spirits of the most enthusiastic little camper around. Mr. Jack LOVES everything about camping!

Also new this trip – we were joined by “uncky beau & andi andi”, as well as my parents. We took them on a favorite hike we discovered last summer to McCleod Lake, where we found piles of snow, another thrill for Jack.

Another new experience for many of us was swimming in the extremely saline (alkaline?) waters of Mono Lake.

Little man discovered the joy of going out in the canoe with whoever was willing to take him.

I guess we all just really, really like it up here!

The weather was perfect, the water was gorgeous, and Jack had plenty of fun ladies to keep him entertained!

Although Andrew’s schedule doesn’t allow us a full week of vacation this summer, we’ve been able to escape for a few long weekends. Four days away in a beautiful place is still a real treat.

Most recently, we went to Mammoth.

(Jack is asleep in that little trailer, by the way.) The scenery looked especially glorious this year with so much snow on all the mountains, which in turn kept all the lakes and creeks filled to the brim.

Another bonus on this trip was the company of the Wilhelms – Andrew, Karina, and Abraham.

The little boys rock-climbed and ran around the most beautiful playground while the big boys mountain-biked down ski slopes.

One evening we enjoyed an outdoor concert in Mammoth’s downtown. Abraham walked right up to the stage and danced, while Jack was a bit shy and ran back and forth to us. It’s cute to observe how much these two little men favor their daddies in personality and stature!

Happy 2nd birthday, Miller! We love you and had so much fun at your party!

Even Andrew got to enjoy himself and hold a cute baby. (that would be sweet little Juliette, dear friend Megan’s daughter)

**note to self: whenever possible at future events, invite six to eight-year-old girls to help organize, manage, and entertain the toddlers. It will ensure complete party success!

(hopefully by writing out this confession, we might get our act together and start finishing a few of these things!)

Our latest project has turned out to be much the same as all home improvements: a whole lot more work and time than we expected. For Christmas I thought it would be fun to get a swing set for Jack; inspired by our dear friends I began searching Craiglist and classified ads to find a used one. It took me till May to find the right one at the right price, and then I dispatched Andrew to go get it. (By the way, I think a hilarious short story could be written about buying items on Craigslist. The strange emails, meeting the even stranger people, walking inside of their houses – and being introduced to their pets…CRAZY.) Just getting the swing set home was quite an adventure, and I now know why people pay companies to dismantle, refurbish, and reassemble swing sets for them. Special thanks to my dad and Evan for their willingness to help us do it all ourselves!

And now, some photos of our almost-finished swingset!

before – in the old owner’s backyard

post-sanding & painting, the initial set-up in our yard…

already Jack is having fun playing underneath in the sand-less sandbox and picnic table!