A lot of things have happened this summer that are worth mentioning, but where to start? I guess I'll proceed in chronological order as to help me remember more accurately...

I traveled to Kuaii Hawaii in June and was there for 9 days. It was one of the most beautiful vacations I've ever been on, and I really wasn't expecting that. It was a family vacation so my enthusiasm was less than apparent, but I ended up having a wonderful time despite one major panic attack. I went snorkeling, drank a lot, swam even more, and had some of the best food I've had in a while. Good trip!

Once home, we had Kyle's Birthday Bask to attend. He is finally 21 and I finally feel a little less of a cradle robber and more like a pimp. It's a nice change, to finally be able to go out to any bar we'd like, into any liqour store we'd like and to have limitless options of what to do on our weekends.

Kyle also has started a new endeavor with a wonderful new job. He was previously working for Time Warner but fell onto a new and better oportunity with Home Tech Solutions which is a company that contracts technicians through Everest and themselves. Now Kyle is a full blown contractor with his own vehicle/equipment/sense of accomplishment. He gets home earlier, has more freedom, smiles more often, and makes a lot more money. I'm so proud of him.

After that, we traveled down south to visit some good Friends in Hutchinson, KS who I missed dearly. It was actually really nice to catch up on the past, as much as I try to avoid it. I think we'll be going down there a lot more frequently now. It's amazing how much people change over 7 years or so.

The Family camping trip to the Ozarks came next on the agenda, which had us traveling over to Camdenton, MO for 4 days with Kyle's kooky family. We had a great time and did some very important bonding that was well needed. I can't wait until next years repeat!

Since then we've traveled to Wichita for a quick weekend and had multiple outings to KCMO, the pool and of course, the ever popular liqour store. It's been a busy summer, but a good one nonetheless. I'm just glad to have a break from it all, if only for the moment. Next week we're off to Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun for yet another day of Smidt family bonding and after that... the world is our oyster... who knows what lies ahead. In January we will begin the ever looming task of house hunting and hopefully by the time our lease is up in July we will have a home of our own.

I think that about catches everything up to date. I hope everyone elses summers are wonderful and full of sunshine, chlorine and beer.