The craziest summer ever

About a month ago a bunch of us Croppers left the kiddos with a sitter, crammed into my dirty minivan (with an outdated Mitt sticker), and drove downtown to one of our favorite Ashland destinations--Black Sheep. As we looked for a place to park, we noticed among the throngs of Shakespeare goers, a darling young couple with a little boy. The woman was a beautiful blonde and Melissa and I both noted her perfect orange summer dress. After we parked and started to cross the plaza, the girl in the orange dress stopped me and said, 'Are you Anne? I read your blog!' She is a friend of a friend (hi Katie! hi Rae!), and it was so fun to meet her and her beautiful, warm, darling family.

That little encounter reminded me, 'Oh yeah. I have a blog.' A blog I love and care about. A space that has helped me record bits of my life and aided me in the process of self reflection. And I won't give up on it.

I have to say, I usually tell people that the transition from zero to one child was harder than anything else, but lately I've realized that having four kids (numbers 3 and 4 back to back!) is pretty friggin intense and basically the hardest thing I've ever done. I really really super duper love it, but holy crap parenthood is no joke.

This summer has been epic. We have had so many family events and various trips that my head is still spinning and my house still recovering. It was a whole lot of fun but honestly, pretty hard on some of the children. As much as I hate to bid farewell to sunny days at the pool and exciting outings, I'm loving the start of fall with its crisp air and promise of fresh beginnings and routine.

Here are a bunch of fun photos to recap the summer and here's hoping for more regular writing and reflecting!

Celebrating 32 with a cruising date to the local taco shop and a ladies' night to Larks...

 

Penny & Tillie Garden party--absolute blast!

Hiked Roxy Ann with the aunts and cousins...

4th of July parade

Hall Family Reunion in Lincoln City.  32 people in a big giant beach house=awesomeness!

Fulfilling life long dreams of visiting NYC... on the roof of the Met

...and in Heaven aka Mood Designer Fabrics

Cheering Taylor on in his Rolf Prima Triathlon in Cottage Grove

In Portland for Dan and Marisa's wedding...

I helped by making decor for the rehearsal dinner, Taylor made the wedding cake (in a hotel room!)

We love her...a LOT.

Eugene Garden Party...

Visit from Lisa, Janeen, Gretta, and Drew.  Best ever!

Ashland Growers Market for all the necessities--basil, carrots, donuts...

Maybe the most fun we've ever had at The Color Run

My first ever camping trip (seriously though) on Labor Day at Howard Prairie.  We had the whole campground to ourselves and we were in heaven (until trying to sleep with a baby in a tent...)

Taylor's Lake of the Woods Triathlon and a day at the lake--total bliss.

So, ya, busy summer.  A bit sad to see it go, but mostly ready for the change of pace.

XOXO
anne