Summer 2017

Every summer has looked so differently the past few years, and they have each been so fun for our family in different ways.  I wanted to make a list of plans we have and memories we hope to  create this summer:

** Vacation Bible School 

This will be a first for us, but I think Kaylee will LOVE it.  She couldn't have loved pre-school anymore, and loves Sunday School, so I'm thinking this will be a favorite.  I have her signed up for a morning one in June and an evening one in August!

**Family VACA

I'm so excited we are joining our favorites, the Kosts and Armbrusters, on a big family Vaca.  It'll be crazy with five under five, but I just have a feeling despite the craziness it'll be one we look back and reminisce on for years to come

**Boating/Swimming

We were so fortunate to get Kaylee tons of pool/boat time last summer, and her confidence took a gigantic leap by the end of summer.  I know it'll be harder this year with a baby, but I'm hoping to get her lots of water time.

**Girls' Trips

The Kost girls and us have made such fun memories doing little weekly girls' trips, and we have our first one planned for the summer.  CANNOT WAIT.

**Griffin's Baptism

This is such a special milestone, and we are so excited to welcome Griffin to leading a life with and for Christ.

**Girls' Nights

Hoping to have a few fun summer nights with my favorite girls.

**Date nights

These are so tough to do these days, but I want to have a few fun things scheduled.

**Ryan's 30th

My big bro is turning THIRTY!!! Funny thing is, I've been telling him he's pushing thirty for like 10 years, HA, but the time has come!  We have just started talking about how we are going to celebrate this big birthday of his.  

**Family room camp out

I think Kaylee would just love it if we "camped out" in sleeping bags and watched movies and had snacks in the 

**Date nights with our girl

I want to plan one night that Kaylee goes on a "date" with Gerald and one day or night where just her and I do something special together.  My dad did "Dates" with Ryan and me, and they're some of my favorite memories.  We got to pick where to go, and off we went, just the two of us.  

**4th of July Parade

We went to a local parade last year for the 4th, and it was so fun and kid-friendly.  My family and Ryan came, and I hope we do that again :)

**Idlewild

We went to Idlewild as a family last year, and Kaylee had the time of her life!  It was so fun, and I want to make it an annual thing.

**Family picnic

I want to have both the Tyler's and Griffin's over for a little picnic this summer.

**Biking/Walking

Getting to the gym isn't always going to be easy for me to do, so I want to make sure we are getting tons of outdoor exercise in our day-to-day.

This is all I have, so far! Looks like lots of fun and memory-making to be done.   I want to do better at blogging this summer, but I know at the very least I'll do a Summer recap where hopefully all of the above will be documented :).  

Here are some summer memes that had me laughing:

This is brilliant hahaha.

LOL because...Pittsburgh

Hoping this is me at the end of the summer!

Summer Bucket List

It's July and already the 5th!?  The meme below made me LOL.  I actually feel like it IS going by way too fast.  I looked at the date and realized maybe I should make my bucket list...and reading list...and do 19430483 other things.

I'm going to keep it short and sweet and update you with pictures at the end of summer with what we accomplished on the Summer Bucket List 2016 :)

Here we go:

one. 

A family of three getaway.  We had plans to go on a family vacation with the Kosts/Armbrusters/Griffins, but my parents got a boat, which we are so LOVING, so that was kind of cancelled out.  I want to make a tradition of doing a little trip every summer.  I'm trying to plan a little three or four day trip with our family, so stay tuned :)

two.

Outside Summer Game Day!  There are so many cute games/things to do outside.  Mini obstacle course, water balloons, things I know my little Kaylee would love.  I already have a lot planned ;)

three.

Girls night out.  Pictures of my bachelorette party came up, and it made me in desperate need of a girls night!  

four.

Anniversary Celebration.  It'll be here soon, and I want to do something special with my guy!

five.

Host a family picnic.  

That's it!  I'll let you know how we do:)

Check back tomorrow for Father's Day recap:

And Wednesday for our 4th of July weekend:

Bucket List

A bucket list is something I've been keeping track of mentally for a really long time.  The pen and pencil gal that I am put most of it down in one of my many journals, but I think blogging about it will make me think about it more AND remind me of the things I have accomplished thus far and am seeking to accomplish.  While there will be more to add, here are a few things on my bucket list :)

1. Run a marathon

2. Have a family (almost there!)

3. Travel through Europe

I started this one; here I am in Ireland :)

4. Go on a mission trip to a third world country

5. Get married

6. Sky Dive

7. Graduate early from college

Mission accomplished :)

8. Write a book

9. Earn my doctorate degree

10. Cook a Thanksgiving dinner

11. Be a writing teacher

12. Coach a winning team

13. Change someone's life

14. Go to an NCAA championship game

15. Own a boat

16. Build my dream house

17. Be a guest speaker

18. Read 50 books in a calendar year

19. Be a spinning instructor

20. Complete an olympic triathlon (1 mile swim, 25 mile bike, 10K run)

This was an amazing experience with my dad, and something I hope to do again :)

Swim: 35:04

Bike: 1:29:23

Run: 50:25

21. Journal every day for one calendar year

22. Connect with a church

23. Be a vegetarian for one calendar year

24. Learn to play tennis, well.

25. Read the bible from beginning to end

I hope to share more, but here were the top 25 things on an old bucket list I found.  As I was remembering the list, it made me feel so blessed.  I don't take the opportunities that I have had lightly.  Also, I like that most of the things on my list require hard work and dedication.  The ones which I have already completed  are cherished so closely to my heart because they are successes that I have earned.