The Crafts

Earlier today we wrapped up another fantastic Clear Lake vacation with countless Crafts. Quite honestly this was the best year we have had in Clear Lake. Despite a few thunderstorms we soaked up lots of quality time with each other, not to mention chlorine and lake water too. The girls were super, everyone was happy, swimming was great, food was delicious and the drinks were icy. This trip was the 50th anniversary of the Crafts taking over Clear Lake in the same motel with the same little swimming pool. I will let the pictures do the talking... This picture IS summer. SUMMER FOREVER! Splash pad insanity. We jumped off the docks, skipped rocks, built sandcastles and Grandpa Smith took turns throwing little girls in the air. City gardens. Lunch trio. And the final day pic where we always look exhausted and fulfilled. I realize now I only have photos of my immediate family and I feel bad about that. Despite not being photoed I want eve

Hola! There is no greater time of year than summer for me to feel blissful about being home with my kids. I love to watch them discover the simple pleasure of a life outdoors, cannonball jumping off the diving board, riding their bikes while the wind tangles their sun streaked hair. And I am almost always right there with them. For as much work and stress that life as a mom brings there is double the love when you get to watch your kids experience life for the first time. Trimming and painting eighty toes and fingers takes some time. Natalie loves to be one of the big girls. Whatever her big sisters are doing she is right there with them. If I ask Kate or CJ if they want to do something Natalie is the first girl to shoot her hand straight up into the air. There is no leaving this girl out and we like it that way. (Unless it is after 8:00 p.m. That is mom time!) Matt and I are all about pointing out the fun of living in Iowa because we don't ever want them to

Glancing at the calendar this morning I realized we are only a week and a half into summer. Really? Only a week and a half? I'm not complaining. Summer so far has been really pretty awesome but it feels as if we have done more activities than should be squeezed into a week and a half.  In hopes of keeping my family blog up to date I will cram a whole lot into this post because blogging has been sitting on the back burner of a 24 burner stove. (Do they make those?) The girls formed their own band. I can't remember the name, sadly. Kate was the vocalist, CJ played the bathtub recorder and Natalie danced. And per usual, Matt and I were audience members who were directed to clap, cheer and pronounce the all girl band as the greatest band in history. Matt and I have both been running but not together. I have finally picked up my pace throwing in the occasional sprint and several "long" distance runs. It feels good. I haven't dug deep for more than