SUMMER 2012

This summer I was determined not to waste it away since I am always so tired and unmotivated to do things. So I have been trying real hard to get out of the house at least once a day, even if it is to only go for a walk.

So far, we have been able to do a few things:

Swimming - I finally got Shade in some lessons this year, and our outdoor pool has also been open
Splash Park - whenever I don't feel like going anywhere, at least we have the Heritage splash park a 5 minute drive from our house
Concerts - they have been having free concerts at Heritge on Thursday nights and at Riley on Friday nights


Going to a concert


Goofing around at the concert

Library - checking out books and movies never gets old - and sometimes we even make it for story/singing time. And I don't mind letting Shade watch movies because he will still cuddle with me the entire time!
Walks - Kellen has a "steps challenge" at work every year where they wear pedometers that keep track of your steps and they get prizes and stuff, so we have been going for a lot of walks together at night, sometimes to the park right by our house
Sprinklers - there are a couple of apartment complexes/businesses near our house that water their lawns at night (especially with the lack of rain this summer), and when we walk by them on one of our walks, we take advantage of free access to some fun water play - Shade gets soaked every time :)
Fireflies - it wouldn't be a Michigan summer without catching fireflies when the sun starts going down



Parkdays - our ward meets up at different parks in the area once a week to give the kids and moms a chance to socialize and play - we love discovering new parks
Bike rides - we even made it to Maybury Park once

I only have pictures of Maybury Park, but it sums up Michigan parks pretty well :)

The Trail, Riding


The Park


Hiking Around

Play outside - Kellen got a transportable grill for his birthday, and we have been able to use it a couple of times outside already - and one good thing about living in a family-oriented apartment complex, there are always lots of kids for Shade to play with whenever we go outside (sometimes he will ask to "go outside and play with my friends") - one thing I love about Shade, he is not afraid to go up to kids older than him and ask them if they want to play, and even if they say no, he doesn't get discouraged easily and finds someone else to play with