In spite of it not exactly feeling like summer to me, it has still been a great few months - not without it's share of challenges and tantrums and sleepless nights, but still - a good, satisfying, growing couple of months.   

{Visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium // new whole wheat tortilla recipe // new pancake recipe

early morning workout // one of the beaches we visited // afternoon quiet time + coffee

the trunk is almost done! // face mask creations // yummy + filling breakfast}

A few months ago, I wrote about some goals I had for summer 2013.  Since the school-age kids around here have gone back to school, and the Labor day weekend is upon us, I figured it was a good time to revisit those goals.  

1. "Projects": We worked on a lot of projects this summer!  We got our chairs finished, and now have too many to fit around our table!  A good problem to have, since a few months ago, we never had enough seating for extra guests!  Max built a bench for the table, and the kids have claimed it as their own.  I have been working on my trunk, and I have a few more touch-ups to do, but it should be done in the next few days.  We got our living room curtains and photo collage wall hung.  I switched out older photos in frames, with new ones.  All in all, I am incredibly happy with our progress, and feel like our house is even more "homey".  Can't wait to share some of the completed projects on the blog :)

2. Exercise: I can't say I've made this a routine yet, but have gotten better about waking early with Max, and lacing up my shoes to get my sweat on.  I haven't always been consistent the last few months, but feel I have made progress, and most weeks, I got moving 4-5 times a week.  

3. Healthy eating/new recipes: I think we've done a pretty good job at this one.  A good mix of choosing healthy options, but also allowing room for donut or ice cream treats (or mocha mystery!).  I've also had a fun time trying some new recipes over the last few months: whole wheat tortillas, beef and bacon stew (YUM!), chicken, bacon & green beans, carmelitas, honey lime chicken, chickpea curry, white chicken chili, honey chipotle turkey meatballs, crockpot beef broccoli, pasta with sausage, garlic & broccoli, s'mores bars

4. Explore the area: We have been able to have a lot of fun adventures around the Monterey area.  We have explored many beaches near our house, visited the Aquarium a few times, walked along the Monterey Bay Fisherman's Wharf & Cannery Row, drove down to Pfeiffer Beach, took a day trip to San Francisco, and visited lots of local parks.  There is so much to do (a lot of free stuff too!) around here, which is a blast!  

5.  Read 5 books:  I was able to do some reading, but did not read 5 books.  I finished Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist, and it was fantastic!  I started a few others, and was able to get some solid quiet time/Bible reading in, as well as follow some SheReadsTruth plans.  

6. Make friends: I am an introvert.  It takes me time to make good, solid friends.  And that's ok.  I am slowly meeting more neighbors and slowly meeting women at church, and I am happy with the progress. 

7. Blog: I feel like I've kept up with blogging this summer, and am happy to have memories/adventures/pictures documented.  

8. Finish Friday Night Lights: DONE!  I think I am STILL having FNL withdrawals - I really did fall in love with that show :)  Although New Girl is pretty good too...

9. Get involved at church: I started a women's Bible study this past week, and am excited to get to know some other women, and study the Bible with them!  We are also looking at getting connected with a small group, and doing some volunteering once a month.  

10. Create: The kids and I have done a lot of creating...octopus, face masks, watercolors, crayon pictures...and it's been fun to see them making progress using markers and drawing faces!  I was also able to pull out my sewing machine and make some fun baby presents.  That + working on the trunk/chairs has filled my creativity tank this summer.