last day of summer vacay

as today is the last day of my summer vacation, a vacation free of work or school, the likes of which i have not experienced since i was 13 years old (20 years ago!!!) i am remembering the highlights.  over the summer,

 

we had some very dear friends visit us:

sweet little jasper eating his "cackers"

mama and boy sharing some tickles

 

 

dad and boy sharing some laughs

 some other very dear friends visited us!  how lucky are we?

 re-read the harry potter series:

 also read some Bahai books, good for the soul!

 saw the completion of a class project that my wonderful friend nelli was involved in:

i want a garden like this!

gorgeous girl

did some organizing:

made this to organize my necklaces

organized the previously messy coffee table

i love baskets

organized front room book shelf and made it look more aesthetically pleasing

of course, added baskets

also added plants.  and put dvd's in ikea boxes

organized tupperware cabinet

organized bedroom closet

 ate some smoked meats and biscuits:

 went bowling for best friend's birthday:

chanty!

went hiking with buddies:

hung out with another best friend before she moved across the state:

took a road trip to california and went all over the place including the beach!:

played with boxes and created a house

picked and ate some delicious fruits!

went to the san francisco academy of science with this cutie

academy of science in san francisco with the cuties

also went to the redwoods

spent a lot of time with this little girl, watched her crawl and later walk:

new crawler!

on the chair i painted for her

at the zoo!

being silly!

at the park

sitting in auntie's basket

hung out with some of our favorite people:

nooshes!

 took photos of these beautiful families:

 grew some tomatoes finally!:

hung out with friends and tried bridal hairstyles:

 rode on the ferris wheel:

 hung out with a new friend, making necklaces and doing impromptu photo shoots in the park:

 

 had a wonderful birthday!!! with my husband, brother, sister in law, niece, mom and dad, and best friend:

went on a mexication and saw two of my super wonderful friends get married!!!!!!!!!!!:

 worked on some projects:

gallery wall above tv before...boring

and after......love!!!!!

further away view to get the full affect

dresser project.........aaaallllllllllmost done!

gallery wall above bed

used pictures, paintings, artwork and some beautiful cards that i've received and loved them so much i wanted to keep them

ripped paper artwork

2 of my (very elementary) paintings

my photos

FINALLY ate chicken and waffles from skillet:

so delicious, the chicken, drizzled with peppered honey, was so tender and juicy, sat on a dijon mustard potato salad and an amazingly delicious cornbread waffle!!!!!!

 and last but not least..........started my new photography business!!!!!!  see my website and you can also visit my facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/fotolumierephotography

there obviously has been a lot more, but these are some of my most favorite memories of the summer.  tomorrow begins a new school year, one that will require my utmost concentration and focus.  will have to blog once in awhile so that i don't lose my mind, so hopefully you'll follow!