Summer is Ending...

There's something about the end of summer that makes me a little depressed. I am one of those people who is seriously affected by the weather, and I think it's the realization that the warm, sunny days are coming to an end and the dreary days of winter are arriving. It's hitting me especially hard this year, although I don't know why. I feel like in a way I have been jipped out of the last two summers - having a baby the last week of May two years in a row means that most of May is spent waddling around large and uncomfortable, and June is spent "recovering", resting, and getting to know the new little one in. It seems like July rolls around before I am ready to take on summer, and by then it is hot and humid and my desire to spend my days outdoors having picnics in the lawn and going on long hikes has waned. And while I absolutely wouldn't change a thing!, it doesn't make up for the fact that the beginning of next spring is now a long 8 months away.

The last couple weeks been absolutely gorgeous (when it hasn't been raining - who says Kansas doesn't get hurricanes? Thanks, Tropical Storm Hermine) - mid-80s or a little warmer. We have been trying to spend as much of it as possible outside, considering we don't have a backyard to play in. On Labor Day we went to Shawnee Mission park on a picnic (like 5000 other people!) and sat by the lake. It was BEAUTIFUL, and so nice just to relax as a little family. We have decided not to camp this fall, but we do want to go somewhere for a day to hike. We need another baby backpack, though. After researching all the options, I have been craving the Beco Butterfly II Aiden. It's an expensive craving, at a price of $139+tax. And as much as I would like to support a mom&pop babywearing shop, I am saving up my Swagbucks and survey points for Amazon gift cards so I can get it, since it will appease my bargain-hunting guilty conscience. The carrier holds up to 45 pounds, which is perfect for Nate (who is now 28 pounds!), and we have a smaller backpack that will hold Ben.

Brian's sister Nicole, her husband Simon, and their adorable baby girl Maureen came to visit a couple weeks ago all the way from Canada. Considering we hadn't seen them since OUR wedding (we couldn't go to theirs because it was in California the day before Nate's due date!), they were a sight for sore eyes. The kids spent a lot of time staring and poking at each other, but we got some cute shots of Maureen lovin' on Ben. We hope to go visit them sometime next year when the kids can appreciate each other a little more. We still have to get our passports, which by the way, cost an INSANE amount of money now! I think I spent $50 on mine when we went to World Youth Day in 2002? Now they are $140 for adults and $110 for kids, plus some other random fees - over $500 just for the 4 of us! And the U.S. has recently required ALL Canadian border-crossers to present a passport, so we can't get away with birth certificates anymore.

photos by Simon Noster

Love the look on Nate's face in the second picture. Ben appears less than interested.

At the park on Labor Day - my handsome guys (no, we didn't leave Ben in his carseat the whole time, I just don't have a good picture of him after we took him out) :)

P.S. Sorry about the GIANT Nate face in the header. I don't know how to get it any smaller! At least he's cute. ;)