This and that...

I am just going to pretend I haven't been AWOL around these parts and skip back into line with a little post summarizing my summer thus far. It has been a rotten summer, weather-wise, and not filled with a lot of time for fun. Still, we have managed to squeeze in some activities - which Sophie can scratch off The List - and I have been able to see almost all of my extended family during quick visits. 

In late June, my brother and his family dropped in for a couple of days and Sophie and I were happy to be able to host my niece Sarah's family birthday party:

Denise and I posed for a rare photo together (I love her!):

 

And then I wrangled my brother, Alistair, into taking one with me:

Next up was our local marathon, which is a pretty big deal in our town, and everyone but me ran in different events. (I have decided I truly hate running and was on duty to replenish my husband's gel packs and water stocks every time he ran past our house (he ran the full marathon!).

The boys and Sophie ran the 5km event:

Next up was a camping FAIL (we were rained out and packed up on the second day!). Still, we were able to have a 3-family Mexican food night, which was on Sophie's to-do list:

Back home, we headed to a local strawberry field and picked 18 quarts of berries:

Swimming (when it wasn't too cold or raining!):

 

Sophie took part in the Kids of Steel Triathlon: 

Next up, a trip to Fredericton, where we did more "it's all about the kids" activities and enjoyed a visit with family:

And that was July.

I am looking forward to sharing some news with you in my next post. Let's just say, I am ready for some change and getting itchy feet. The gypsy in me is starting to rear again...