Hello Summer!

It's here!! SUMMER!!! School for the cubs ended last week and they are beyond thrilled that it has. Sister Bear was honored for several awards and Brother Bear had an amazing time at his field day. Both enjoyed the excitement of "End of the Year" parties.

We have such a busy summer ahead that I already feel like we have almost no time to relax. I feel like we will blink and it'll be September again. I know that won't be the case, it's just my anxiety talking.

Here's what we have planned this summer:

First up is a trip to Vermont to visit Handsome Bear at his family's lake house. It is a serene place of tech-free relaxation. Cool mountain mornings and sunny adventurous afternoons. Ah! I can feel the stress of the busy work world leaving already. While we are there, we try our hardest to leave the tablets, phones, and TV behind us. There isn't even WIFI connection up there. There is a landline for emergencies and we have cell reception when we are outside the house when its not raining. Handsome Bear opens the lake house for parents and siblings every year, so we have some work to do to get it ready for a season of fun adventures.  We clean out all the evidence of those fury guests who found a way in over winter. Handsome Bear will use brute strength to put out the dock. (It really is scary and amazing that he is capable of doing this.) We make repairs from when the house sits silent for the previous three seasons. Then, we have fun. We go hiking, kayaking, fishing, shopping, play games, grill out, and have a fire at least a few times to enjoy the stunning sunsets I have ever seen.

Secondly, we will swing back by home for a few days of work and luggage shift to then head down to the Outer Banks. That's where my father's family gathers to two cottages that neighbor each other for a week of splashing "Sound Side", relaxation, catching up, occasionally arguing (as all families do), and Sunshine! Our group is roughly 28 strong each year and 90% of the time it is all smiles and laughs. We always eat out as a group one night during the trip and take turns cooking dinners for our massive brood. Since the split, the cubs haven't been able to attend due to scheduling conflicts, but I am elated to say THEY ARE GOING this year! As you can tell, we have a BIG family and that means LOTS of cousins. Thankfully, the cubs are blessed with a lot of cousins like I was as a kid. They are all about the same age and get along great! Sadly, Handsome Bear won't be joining us, but fingers crossed we will be there next year.


Then, right after we get back from OBX, the cubs fly to KS to spend a month at their father's parents' house. There they will do whatever they
do there. I only get bits and pieces of information on my weekly phone calls, but from what I gather, they have a good time. While there, they do have a one week trip to CO to go "glamping" in the mountains. The location is a family tradition that dates back to when their grandfather was a boy. It's very near and dear to that family's heart and I had the privilege to go on the trip once when Sister Bear was a toddler. It was BEAUTIFUL and I understand why it is such a desired location for them.

While the cubs are away, I will be back to my usual busy of work, school, self-improvement, and preparing for the up-coming school year. The cubs will return about two weeks before school starts and then, we will celebrate both birthdays will small friend gatherings.

PHEW! See what I mean about busy!?  It's going to be a time of memories, laughter, love, and adventure! I am pumped and prepared for the weeks to come. What are your summer plans?