Explore: Summer in Pictures (Vol. 5)

We had rain last week, cool after what seems like endless hot summer days. The water park in our community closed has closed. Fall is here.

But, oh, the summer was good.

Through no actual intent or forethought on my part, I planned my maternity leave perfectly. Going back to work in October (one more week! Already! How can that be?) is a beautiful thing. I had the summer to explore, play, and travel with my family. I think we made the most of it, and now I’ve had September to help with the transition to Kindergarten.

(And speaking of exploring, I’ve given up my Yummy Mummy Club blog. I just decided it’s time to focus elsewhere.)

In any case, I realized it’s been a while since my last one-word update and what I’ve been exploring, so this is a bit of a photo dump to share some parts of our summer.

We did a few different trips over the last few months.

rocky-mountain-lake

We went to the mountains. We looked way up at them, and we looked down at the world from their peaks.

Jasper-mountain

Finally, after much anticipation, we went to San Diego. We dipped our toes in the water.

san-diego-ocean

We played in the sand. (This is his “beach face.”)

Connor-beach-Coronado

Oh yes, we went there.

Legoland

And it was a hit.

Lego-car

San Diego is such a beautiful place.

lifeguard-station

One night after Ethan was asleep Connor and I went for a walk along the boardwalk. Well, I walked. He wanted to go in the stroller, which he very much does not fit in anymore, but we managed to get him all tucked in there. He hunched beneath the canopy, so quiet I hardly knew he was there. We walked, all along the boardwalk and out to the end of the pier. We got ice cream. It was lovely. The perfect evening.

san-diego-pier-sunset

Below is the view from our room on our last night. I wasn’t awake nearly late enough to fully appreciate it. (I love marinas.)

Yes, San Diego was great. (We even got to visit Tonya.)

san-diego-marina

We also visited our best friends.

best-buds

And got in touch with dinosaurs.

dinosaur-hand

We went Stampeding.

stampede-barrel-race

And even dressed the part.

stampede-with-Ethan

We camped. (This is his “hi!” face.)

Ethan-camping

And we went to farmers’ markets.

Fruit1

Lots of ’em.

fruit2

Yes, it was good.

baby-sunglasses

How was your summer?

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