July 2018 (with a bit of August too...)

The heat and humidity of this month was unreal, so we've been pretty much just hunkered down in the a/c which has made this summer seem super long and fast at the same time. Really just two weeks left until school, and those are packed with plans. A few things we did last month:

Cheering on the 4th of July parade in Lincoln

School supplies! Looks like the theme-by-default this year is elephants

Went to a Lowell's Spinner game

The big attraction at the game was a petting zoo

Runners high hasn't happened yet. Just a lot of sweat and tears and whining. But I'm up to 8 miles on the long runs, so progress is being made

Camping at Nickerson St Park

My favorite camping trip by far. The weather was beyond perfect, not a bug in sight, peaceful, great site....it was awesome.

Hudson got in lots of fire play

Newest addition to the camping repetoire; mega pack of juice boxes. Also single packs of guacamole. Huge hits, both.

I got in some solid hammock and reading time. Then the last night Steve and the kids cooked dinner while I went for a long solo swim in the pond. Floating along at dusk on my back I watched a bald eagle swooping overhead, and then meandered back up a pineneedle strewn path barefoot. It was disgustingly idyllic. 

Saying goodnight to the day

Put in serious miles hiking and scootering on the bikepath

Ruth's Pond had very friendly fish showing off their nests and enjoying the Larabars we fed them.

 More sunset views....

Finished with a few hours at the beach

Had to hurry back so Steve and Nick  could play for a wedding at church.

It was lovely for a wedding

Took the friends to a newly renovated playground and spray park. The stream out back was the real attraction.

Best part of vacation

We got a new table! Once benches are in stock (and then in place) I'll be able to fit 12!!!!!

The next day we had over 8 to join us (ignore the chairs, again, not available in store yet....)

Borrowing from August, but the kids went to the grandparents for a few days so we could have some alone time. Which I spent running errands, but at least they were peaceful one. And then we went out to Sassafras, a new vegan place that is an instant favorite and has me working the budget so I can go at last weekly. Do you see the size of the portions?!??!?! This was a "fish" sandwich (banana flower) that Steve had no idea wasn't fish. I had the buffalo battered cauliflower gyros and oh were they out of this world. Also insanely sized. Steve ate a good portion of them as well. Yum.

We were stuffed but had to at least taste the dessert. Nutterbutter cake. Enough for 4 easily. Fudgiest, most delectable thing I have eaten in years. And did I mention the place is 100% vegan?!?! Order with impunity, it's all local organic plant-based. What a time to be alive.