Summertime

Amidst a still full and busy summer schedule, we are finding time to relax and spend time with good friends.  Last week the Morris Arboretum had a day where members could bring guests for free!  So, we took the opportunity to introduce Isaac and Emily to this beautiful place and used it as another excuse (do we even need one?!) to spend an evening with them. :)

Our sweet little farm up north had fresh blueberries when I was last there, so I picked up 20 lbs and have been enjoying making all sorts of summer-y dishes with them.  I made blueberry pie and Erik tried a recipe for the crust that was gluten-free.  So delicious!

Meredith, as usual, loved the evening in the garden and ran about exclaiming about everything she saw!

Father's Day weekend

We had a wonderful weekend together as a family.  Saturday we set off in the morning to Nockamixon State Park, just about 1 hour north of us.  

We rented a row boat for 1/2 hour and rowed out onto the beautiful and huge lake.  This was Meredith's first time on a boat... and she was really not a fan.  There were tears and many, "all done!" , "go home" , "night night" - poor child, she really didn't like being out in that big body of water.  By the end of the 1/2 hour she settled down and we enjoyed the adventure.  We saw a beautiful heron catch a fish really near us (unfortunately I had just turned off the camera and by the time I had it up and running again, he had gobbled down his lunch).

 We're thinking of trying to ease Meredith into a boat experience next time with a small pond or river....

  We live and learn around here. :)

 Then, a picnic lunch by the lake and some fun ball playing time.

 Meredith was a huge fan of her new sunhat - yes!

Following lunch, we took a lovely hike in the woods and Meredith walked about 1/2 mile or so off and on.  Woot!  This little one may be ready for the big trails in a few years! 

We stopped by Adam and Jenny Dieffenbach's for a delicious meal and a much needed catching up with these dear friends.

Father's day was low-key - church, a picnic in our back yard, and long naps for everyone. :)

Erik used his new "grill basket" to grill up these veggies - yum! 

(soon to come - a post about our exploding garden you see in the back ground!)

Just like Daddy.  Oh my.

First Picnic of 2012!

This week has been absolutely gorgeous with temps in the 70s! Yesterday Meredith and I visited 4 different parks in between errands and her afternoon nap. :) At the 4th park we had a lovely picnic dinner with Daddy in the evening. What a wonderful day!!

Welcome Spring!

Picnic with Phil in Philly

Our friend from England came to visit last week. Phil Griffiths - an excellent musician and great guy! We spent several lovely days playing music together, showing him the area and hanging out. Here we are having a picnic along the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.

Meredith thinks Daddy is sooooo funny! :-)