One of my favorite qutoes, William Carlos Williams.

The iconic symbol of winter's end.

This summer has been a whirlwind. In the last eight weeks we have had: three beach trips, four mountain trips (two of which were camping trips), three weeks of camp, one major Strawberry Fest, one wedding and the children have advanced a full belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Our garden is growing beautifully: so far one squash, six cucumbers, four zucchinis, three better boy tomatoes and hundreds of baby tomatoes. We’ve also gotten a bowl full of wild blackberries from bushes that were hiding behind the latest pine to succumb to the enthusiastic chainsaws of Matt and Andrew. We have another giant squash, a pumpkin, peppers, tomatillos and more zucchinis, cucumbers and tomatoes on the way.

We have a little less than three whole weeks before school starts for us all on Tuesday, August 25th. I’ve finalized my schedule, paid tuition and purchased books. The children are registered for the fall soccer season and we’re interviewing for nannies next week. This weekend Andrew and I are off to celebrate our ninth (9!!) anniversary, then next weekend we’ll drive to Maryland to see all of the Felten clan and then back down to the outer banks to see all of the Arnold clan. Three major trips in less than three weeks.

I do not want to see summer end. There are still things I want to do!

For this birthday my friend Erin whisked me away to Asheville. My first ever trip to the lovely mountain town. We spent a lovely three days catching the end of the Bele Chere Music Festival where I paid a pretty penny for some beautiful henna work on my hand and arm. We spent one whole day driving up the Blue Ridge Parkway, stopping off at a bridge where we discovered bats hanging out in the gaps, searching for places to have a little hike and a dip in waterfall basins. It was ridiculously beautiful, the water was deep and clear and ice cold.

Here at home on the day itself we had friends over for dinner and cards and white chocolate lemon cheesecake. Happy Birthdady to me.

Bear Island is a part of Hammocks Beach State Park. It’s a beautiful uninhabited island accessible by ferry or by kayak. Recently we rented a van at 5am, picked up our two best friends, pacified them with coffee and bagels, and headed out to Bear Island for the day. We picnicked, tossed a football and took turns letting the current carry us down to the other end of the island.

Of the southern-outer-bank-tourist-trap-islands my favorite is probably Wrightsville Beach. Specifically the end of island where there are far less people and a wide expansive beach with tide pools in the afternoon. You can walk all of the way to the end and around to the waterway side and bird watch and beach comb.

Furthering my mountain adventuring this summer: I had the privilege of spending a girls’ weekend in Boone with one of my best friends ever, Katie. Her grandmother owns the most adorable cabin on a creek with the most fabulous neighbors. I loved getting to know Katie’s college town and her other good friends. I can’t wait to do it again!

We struck out West to discover the Greensboro Children’s Museum once the children were out of school. We loved it.

Every year that passes we fall more in love with North Carolina. This summer was a mountain summer. We’ve camped twice at Hanging Rock State Park– the first time we were there to see the mountain laurel blooming: a flower that truly captures my heart.

We hiked and saw many waterfalls, a few that were perfect for swimming though the water was like ice.

We are quickly becoming a camping family and there are hundreds of new adventures to be found in our state.

Again, I do not update this site nearly enough. Here are some pictures taken this Spring of our soccer adventures.

I know I don’t update this site nearly enough but here are some photos from this weekend. Ado wanted two things for his fourth birthday: to go to the zoo and “pretend fruit.”

Today is a beautiful day. After cooking out we are sitting on the couch watching the Carolina game against Oklahoma playing hangman.

Ado and I looking at the sunshine streaming through the clouds at our first practice this season. Happy Spring!