Farewell Summer

Labor Day seems to mark the end of summer here.  The pool is closed, the air is cooling down, apple picking is beginning and the county fair is coming to town, the kids are heading back to school.

This summer was different from summers past.  We moved to a new city, which is a huge change.  We had to make all new friends and learn a new town.  The settling in process wasn't always easy and there were times where the days seemed to drag on forever.  Jack was assigned some of his harder rotations first (surgery, icu, night float) and often had to work weekends, nights and long days, so we weren't able to go do some of the things we'd hoped to do this summer, which is a bummer since this is our only summer in Spokane.  The weather was unusually hot this year, which was at times difficult since I was in my third trimester and we don't have air conditioning (yes, I complained a lot).

But all things considered, the summer turned out to be great after all.  We made some great friends, both in our ward and other families from Jack's residency program.  I don't know what I'd do without these amazing friends.  Jack has thoroughly enjoyed residency so far, especially the increased responsibility he has been given and the new things he is learning. We explored some amazing places in the area.  I found a new doctor whom I love. The kids and I spent more time in our swimsuits than I ever have in my life!  Unfortunately since most of our activities involved water and sand, I didn't bring my camera to document much of it.   But here are some of our summer 2012 memories:

We got a free pass for the summer to a nearby aquatics center!  We spent a lot of time here with our friends.

Going weekly (at least) to liberty lake state park.  This lake is beautiful and surrounded by dense pine trees. It has a nice beach, swimming area and playground.  My kids could literally stay all day (and have) playing in the sand, swimming, jumping off the dock, and trying to catch fish in their nets.  We spent evenings here with friends too, picnicking, playing volleyball and grilling banana boats.

Traci Hansen and me at Liberty Lake

Hannah and Laney in the lifeguard tower.

Hannah, Laney and Leah being silly on the beach.

A silly boy.

Brad Hansen grilling banana boats.

We also enjoyed days at lake Coeur d'alene and the rope swing at Spokane river.

They caught a fish!  Jackson was mad that Hannah was the one to catch it.

Hannah loves to swim...

...and pose for the camera.

My sweet friends had a girls night which they devoted to very pregnant me.  They made cafe rio and gave me a pedicure!  How did I get so lucky?

Hannah took swimming lessons and learned so much.  She loves to use her goggles and can hold her breath for a long time.

Hannah also learned to do the monkey bars by herself.

I don't think I've ever spent so much time at the park either.  We spent many days in one park or another with our friends and several evenings at the park with Jack.  I guess that's what you do when you don't have a backyard but are surrounded by gorgeous parks.

Farewell sweet summertime!