an update. finally.

I'm here...the delinquent blogger. I'd make some sort of I promise that this type of break won't happen again but it probably will. so, sorry.

But right now I'm soaking in one of the best spring/summer nights yet-- with this as my view.

iced coffee, blog/photo editing, a studious husband with a brand new book (shocker), my screened in porch, and the sound of motorcycles going way too fast and kids up way too late. ahhhhhh. summer. (in fact, ben just looked up at me and said this is livin'. and totally meant it--and if you know him, you're not surprised:))

today we yardworked. In other words, ben's list got check marks and mine really didn't...except 'dinner' (more on that in a few). But it was productive, and fun, and time well spent. and our generous neighbor let us borrow his pick-up so we could bring a couple loads to the dump--which, of course, made this kiddo's day.

Jonah and I just returned from a great couple days in Iowa celebrating my little brother's high school graduation (cue I remember when he was born?!, when he graduated from kindergarten!, when I knocked his front teeth out!---well, kind of. by accident obviously). We also drug along my sister in law, Jess, who bravely trekked the 12+ hour drive and was awesome company (we're meeting my family in boston in a week and a half, so Ben really didn't think he could swing this trip too...). Lots of people coming and going at my parents' meant that Jonah's most used words were definitely "blankie" (a recent word, but a long standing source of companionship and security) and "mama" (which up until this trip, he could say but just decided he wouldn't). But now we're home, and the little man could not be more ec.stat.ic to see his beloved "DA!!!"

Daniel is headed off to an awesome university next year where I have no doubt he will have a ton of fun learn a lot (don't worry, Dad). Congrats, Dan!

(I didn't take many pics, but here are a couple).

(mind you, I am 5'9. and wearing heels...?! Either I'm slouching, or the rest of my siblings are just that tall. I mean, if ya ain't dutch, ya ain't much!)

While we were away, Ben's dad had quite the successful adventure on Lake Michigan.

Which has given us a freezer stocked with amazing salmon and a belly full of this.

ahhhhhhh. summer.