How do I know it's summer?

Signs of summer:

Countless neighborhood children at our home-
this is one of my favorite sounds of summer,
hearing the laughing, screaming and pure joy of children playing-

Beautiful, colorful flowers everywhere-

Endless water play.
One of our favorites is playing at the movie theater water fountains
followed by gourmet cupcakes!

Hailey loves soda and noticed one in the trash,
she would of done just about anything for a sip!

Summer also means lots of camping.
McKay has been gone this whole week at boy scout camp.
We got to visit him for family scout night- it was fun to finally get to see him
and I am sure glad we have a shower for him when he comes home!

They constructed a swing there which was a hit for the younger kids...I
love
summer!

Summer is coooold!

Summer break has only been for two days and the kids are itchin' so bad to play in the water.
Our weather has been nice but not water worthy because it has only gotten up to 60*.
Here the kids are trying to play outside on the slip and slide and Savvy is doing the 'it's soooo cold' dance.
Here is Logan's way of tanning.
Poor kids, just hang on for another week and HOPEFULLY the summer sun with grace us with its presence!

Oh, the weather outside is... BEAUTIFUL!

The weather was absolutely gorgeous this weekend so naturally we spent a good half of the day jumping on the trampoline!

I was finally able to plant my tomato plants-
I love tomatoes and can hardly wait for them to start growing!

Hailey is in love with the trampoline, she screams and screams when we try to take her off!
She spends hours jumping!

Go Logan!

Way to go gymnast Ashley!

And in my old age, I still have my back flipping skills!

I hope this beautiful weather is here to stay!

One more Fall pic...

Fall drive...

We are not going to see Jason much this month,
so we decided to spend some quality family time together.
We took a long drive through the beautiful mountains of Colorado,
had a picnic, got attacked by hornets and took some pretty pictures.
It was a lovely time!

Garden of the Gods, I think this name is quite fitting for the scenery.

More Garden of the Gods...

A view of Colorado Springs along Rampart Range road...

Some family pictures...

More Fall...

Even though I would rather have summer all year long, I do enjoy the seasons.

I love when the leaves fall for the kids to play in,

I love the colors

and

I admit,

I even enjoy a crisp, cold evening to cuddle by the fire.

We usually don't get many leaves because our trees aren't that big yet, but this year we were able to rake all of them into one pile and let the kids have some fun.

I've got Fall Fever!

Since it has been in the 20's all week, I have wanted to stay indoors, play games with my kids and bake.
So I ventured out and made apple butter. To me no other smell says Fall like cinnamon, apples and sugar simmering in your crock pot all day.
And
of course I had to step outdoors to try and capture some fun Fall pictures!
I am ready for the cold because cold=holidays!

My kids love the apple-peeler-corer-slicer.
Not only does it make apples easy to bake with...

The kids have contests with the apple peels!

And wallah...
the beautiful and delicious apple butter!
Happy Fall!

Crock pot apple butter

For standard size crock pot, adjust for small or huge one.
12-14 apples (I do enough to fill my pot)
2 cups apple juice or cider

Wash, core, peel and slice apples. Put in crock pot, cover and cook on low 10-14 hours. I start mine before bed and finish the next day.

When fruit is tender, mash with potato masher or whisk. Measure amount of cooked fruit and put back into crock pot. For EACH 2 cups cooked fruit add:
1 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. cloves

Stir well, cover and cook on high for an additional 6-8 hours, stirring every two hours. After 3 hours, remove lid and continue to cook uncovered so butter will thicken. Spoon into hot jars and process in hot water bath. ( I did mine for 20 minutes, adjust to where you live. You can also just put into freezer jars and freeze!
ENJOY!

Goodbye summer...

Our last day of summer was spent at the bike ramp-
wearing the kids out so they would sleep well the night before school.

Oh blessed summer...
do hurry back!

Lazy, hot days of summer!

We have been pretty busy this summer but have still found time for some serious water/park play. It has been in the 90's this week and my kids think they are going to melt.
It's days like this we pull out the slip and slide!

This is McKay's way of playing at the park...I think he is outgrowing the park thing!

Love, love, love picnics at the park!

And jump for joy!
We are headin' to our hometown to visit our wonderful families!
Happy Summer!