Summering

Where to begin when it has been many months since a blog post? 

How about a big summer photo post?

We just returned home from a blissful week in Maine (photos to come in another post) and I am now buried in laundry and school planning. Hannah begins Challenge B tomorrow! Summer break is leaving us and we are all feeling a little bluesy about saying goodbye.

But as lovely as this summer has been for our family, we are feeling ready for some structure and routine. I guess it's has to be time. Saxon Math is sitting here on my desk staring me down. 

A sampling of our sweet summer season...

We started the summer in Boca Grande.

Linden Vineyard with Papa and the Flemings

summer swim team

"Superhero" Meet.
Lots of very early Saturdays.

Will's off to Deerfoot for 2 weeks!

Hannah and Peter sold Lemonade for Peter's fishing pole fund.

He sold plenty of lemonade!

This made all that sidewalk sitting worth it! 

camp pick-up

Clearly, he loved it.  

Cousins visit DC!

These two. Cousin fun at the lake.

Linden

Linden holds so many happy memories for us. Last year five dear friends went in together and bought a house in those lovely mountains of Virginia, and this past weekend our extended group of friends gathered there to celebrate one of the many 40th birthdays happening this year.

We were all able to be there for the ceremonial hanging of the sign.  

Nine

Today we celebrate Will!

Will... who seems to be always celebrating. 

This boy loves life. And all the people living it with him.

Every meal served to him is the best meal he's ever had. 

Baseball is his favorite sport. 

And soccer. And football.

And every other sport he has ever played. 

His idea of a perfect day: hiking and hamburgers.

So, he did just that with some of his favorite people to celebrate turning NINE.

Saturday along the Billy Goat Trail. Sunny and 65 degrees in December! 

Hiking along the Potomac with Dad and two of his best buds... what could be better?

 

After a long hike, the guys went out for burgers and milkshakes.
Best "Party" Ever according to Will.
Easiest "Party" Ever according to Mom.

This morning he opened his gifts... a new skateboard!

All three on the new board. Hannah and Peter gave him really sweet gifts!  

Ready to go try it out. Complete with new Vans (just like Uncle Mark!).

 Later this morning we met some friends at Adventure Theatre to see "A Little House Christmas" 

and then a bunch of us went out to lunch. Tonight the Flemings will come to celebrate. 

Will's request this year: Calzones and Oreo Ice Cream Pie. 

Love celebrating this kid! 

Rocklands Farm Market

My Young Farmers completed their program by working the market today. 

Serving customers, preparing lunch, giving tours, and even a few farm chores 

made for a perfect way to spend a sunny and mild November Saturday.

Hannah helped Megan prepare the salad.

Will loves Bone Dog

 

Anna and the boys feeding the chickens. I so wish I had gotten a picture of Anna with the kids. They love her.

I snuck down to the basement to see the wine being bottled and corked.

Well done, TJ!

Rocklands Red