4th of July

We had such a great 4th of July weekend filled with the best of childhood nostalgia. I left realizing how precious my childhood was, and how sweet it is to have come full circle with my cousins, being able to watch our children play together exactly as we did nearly every summer weekend growing up. This family property has been loved by our families since 1990 and it is such a joy bringing my children here. Late, late nights around the campfire, river swimming, boating, evening walks, marshmallows, dutch oven, Uncle Dave's breakfasts, Grandma Glenna (obviously), four-wheeling, bike riding, long talks, and much more. We didn't want it to end and are looking forward to another round in August. Who's coming?! Love you all. Alot alot alot! And bandits forever. Amen.

This picture seriously makes me so happy! 

Kricket and Michael came up for a night!

Morgan jumping off this rock like it was no big deal! I tried to be brave, stood up there for twenty minutes then climbed down! The water was so deliciously perfect, though. So fresh, right down from the mountain! Looking forward to going back!

Papa diving off, like a freaking boss! 

In the reservoir! 

The Mecham sisters (and Matt, haha!)

Lots and lots and LOTS of little girls running around. My boys were outnumbered for sure. When I asked Danny what he thought of them all, he said, "I've had enough of that." (girls are waaaay more emotional than boys, and that's what he was referring to....the crying! Haha!).

This is how Danny fell asleep when we left. And he slept the whole way home like this. So cute!

Missing!

My darling cousins, minus Lis and Kenz

{2002-ish}

I must admit I've been wishing all weekend for s'mores, campfire and lake. I've been missing these girls and the rest of my crew more than normal (wishing I was with them!), wondering where the time has gone, and feeling thankful all the while for that same place that summer after summer, we all knew so well.

Here's to remembering what was good: riding bikes down the dirt road, swimming in the hot baths, walking across the river and back, grandma tilley's chocolate cake, hot cocoa with hazlenut coffeemate, playing cards at the picnic table, aloe vera jelly on mosquito bites, and laughing our asses around the campfire. 

I miss my family! 

And grandma, too!  

Happy Camper(s).

Last summer was the first in twenty years that I didn't find myself in the pretty mountains of Anderson Ranch. I sort of grew up there. And I've always gone back. I've always belonged. I suppose I took last summer off because of (new baby) Morgan. And because instead of the always two-hour drive it was before, it now takes four hours from where home is now. I missed it like crazy. And then came this year. And I shopped and I planned and I packed warm coats and gloves and hats. And we made it just in time. The pretty, in-between time in the season where the nights are cool and the afternoons are perfect. Where summer lingers. But just a little. Just enough to say goodbye.

I said hello to everything we passed.

And everything is still there. The rocks are still aligned along the road. The trails are still blazed. The trunks of the forest trees are still achy and crooked. Even the river still bends the way it always used to. The way it always will. All of it reminding me that I used to be a girl once. And that my life was magical and pure.  

And now I've poured that magic into my own son, who finds purity in dirt and twigs and leaves, who loves to run and touch and be.    

And I realized that all of the places I've always belonged changed with Morgan. They deepened. And someday I'll lay with him and point out the stars in the sky, and I'll show him how to find shapes in the clouds. And I'll tell him how delicious the sky can be at dusk. And I'll show him. And he'll see.

His wide blue eyes will see.   

Next year, we'll make it back. And the next. And the next. And the next. Until I'm as old as my grandma is now. Until I'm the one rocking in the chair and bringing bags of candy and telling children to stop playing in the campfire.  

Until I'm old. And have as many stories and grandchildren as there are stars. 

Until then. Maybe longer.

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And now for a million and one pictures. Because it's my blog. And I can.

Morgan and Landen

Breah's sleepy head Raegen.

The boss.

The fish boss. And some pretty kokane.

Chandra's Sweet Hadley.

Aunt Jackie.

How adorable is this chair?

Lis, Dude and Jace.

Kenzie and Maximus.

Lis and Brooke.

Eyes turning green, perhaps?

My husband and brother.

Yellow shirts + mountain folk + family picture = slight redneckedness.

(mom's worst idea yet!) Dad was not a happy sport.

Pink helmet couresty of Hadley.

Lissie seven months!

And last, but not least, pictures from our date with the mountains (and Bella).

The End.