1 Month of Summer Fun!

Summer whisked by after the 4th of July! We literally were home for 4 days in between all the happenings. So get on your reading glasses because here is the run down of our 4 weeks of summer fun!

Week 1 started in Fallon where the kiddos and I stayed with Aunt Rene & Uncle John because our Texan Schank cousins came. We tried to endure a 105^ play at Oaks park on one of William Shaspear's epics, but finally decided that Patricia's pool sounded much better! We had many dinners, watched Dillon at baseball, rode the miniature horse Hot Shot, went to Wild Island in Reno, and had a bridal shower for our newest family member . . . Ashley (who married Colby, hear more about that in a bit.)

Week 2 The kids and I met Drew in Winnemucca where we ventured up to Blue Lake. It is a 3/4 mile upward hike into this little mini Lake Tahoe. Drew had the crazy idea to camp right by the lake. We grabbed all gear including portable play pen and hiked in with all 4 kids! NUTS!! Best workout of my summer! It is the most peaceful and quiet area ever. The kids caught fish with daddy while mom and Anthon read. I actually read 5 books this summer! We ended the trip with a much needed bath at Nana Doris's and a good meal at Grandpa Joe's & Grandma Barb's house.Week 3 was in McCall, Idaho where we stayed at the amazing rental home of Drew's Aunt Sandy. We were joined by Rene, John, their girls, and our Schank boy cousins. We swam at the neighborhood pool, hot tubbed, went to the lake, played in the water feature in town, went ice skating, created some great glass, ceramic, and beaded necklaces at the craft shop, and of course ate at Ice Cream Alley every day! The adults would fix the kiddos dinner in the evening and then we would head out to try the good eating spots for an hour or two. Needless to say, we ALL didn't want to leave.
week 4 We welcomed home my baby brother Charley from law school in Australia and partied like crazy! It had almost been 4 years since we wrapped our arms around Charley! We got rooms at the Atlantis in Reno and took all the kiddos there to swim in the amazing pools as we waited for Uncle Charley's midnight flight. We were pretty much all present when the big guy came down the terminal. Hugs and kisses galore! The next day was a beachy visit with my step-sister Eva on the shores of Lake Tahoe. The kids had fun on a rental boat and swimming in the crystal clear, but very cold water. The week ended at the Frey Ranch in Fallon with the beautiful wedding of Colby and Ashley. It was special for Drew and I because almost to the day 12 years earlier we exchanged our vows on that very spot. I still love him and even more wonderful . . . he still loves me :)

It was a sad good-bye to all our loved ones, especially not knowing when I will get to see Charley again, but the summer itself was fun, busy, and exciting! At least we got to have a whole family picture with all my siblings and their kids!