Please tell me summer is just around the corner!

It's been raining and raining for the past week. I'm really ready for summer now and can't wait until school is out and we can hit the beach! I guess one benefit of lot's of rain is the flowers and grass look extra lush. I especially love flowers just after a few sprinkles.

Carefree Summer...

Summer is half-way over and I'm starting to feel panicked because there's so much I still want to do. Spend more time at the beach, take more photos of my kids, take the boat out fishing, go camping, go to a movie in the park, and the list goes on and on. I love the carefreeness (I know, it's not a word!) of summertime. I love having nowhere to go. I love having everywhere to go. I love sitting in the hot sun drinking lemonade (okay, it's a Coke Zero), reading a book while watching my kids jump in the pool. Soak it up, baby - you've got one month left!

*Photos below: running through the sprinklers after a long bike ride.

Last day of school!

Wow this year went by fast! I can't believe today was the last day of school and summer is here. Does that mean I get to sleep-in tomorrow? Yeah right! I think this is the first year I haven't signed my kids up for any summer camps or have any big vacation plans (and I may totally regret this!). We're just going to be spontaneous and play it day by day. I always feel so overwhelmed by the endless choices of camps and summer happenings. So this year I'm making it easy on us (I think). The kids may be driving me crazy by the end of the month, and I'll be calling around asking if any camps have open spots available. Then you can all shake your heads at me and say "what were you thinking?". OR the summer could turn out to be super amazing since we have so much freedom to do whatever, whenever.

So here's to a great summer AND to the last day of school!

(my kids on their last day of school... I think they were sad because school was out!)

Summer... and swimsuits!

Yesterday we set up the kiddie pool in our back yard. It was 80! In Portland! Got me thinking about summer... and swimsuits. So I did a little browsing and found some very cute little numbers. And now I just need to kick my workout into gear and get ready to try on some swimsuits!

Here's a sampling of what's out there this season. (Some of my favorite places to buy swimsuits)

Summer fun!

I think summer might actually finally be here! And it better well be - after all, it's June. I love the beginning of summer when all the flowers are in bloom, and the sun is shining... and what better place to enjoy the blooms than the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden (on SE 28th in Portland).

Flowers, ponds, ducks, and even a couple of small waterfalls! My kids love to explore all the the little trails throughout the garden, and of course I bring along my camera to get some great photos of flowers and kiddos. There is a fee charge Thursday-Monday from 10-6 (so if you go on Tuesday or Wednesday, it's FREE).

What are some of your favorite summer things to do?

Mother & Daughter

I love these Mother/Daughter photos! Harmony and Emily did a wonderful job. We all packed a picnic and fun playing and eating afterwards. This shoot was a little tricky since I had my three kids tagging along. I amazingly got some great shots either way.