Those Summer Nights

Some friends in our new ward had the brilliant idea to organize weekly summer Family Home Evening activities at local parks and lakes. It's an open invite, come when you can, casual affair.

We didn't go every week, but managed to attend three or four times. 

Mark validly argued that it was neither "family" nor "home," but it was "evening" so we went with that.

I loved the opportunity to get to know new friends and hang out with old friends.

I also feel like a good parent every time we get outside and my kids can play in the dirt and water.

The last night we attended they pulled out an enormous slip and slide.

Another night our Relief Society hosted a women's retreat at the lake. I got there late so I didn't get to play in the water, but it was a gorgeous evening made more enjoyable by an enormous inflatable unicorn.

Aubree's violin group had the opportunity to play the national anthem at a Rainier's baseball game.

We have not taken our kids to many baseball games so Aubree was pretty bored trying to watch the game. Good thing we went with friends.

On Labor Day, the last official day of summer before we started school, our friends hosted their annual "open mic" night. 

Aubree had lots of ideas of things she could perform, but in the end wasn't willing to get up in front of the crowd.

 While the adults listened, the big kids ran around and the little kids played in the dirt.

I guess it was a fitting way to say good-bye to a wonderful summer.