It has been a truly special June. Taking the time to decompress after the school year and giving the family time to just rest and recuperate was the right decision this year. Sometimes we are all ready to jump into adventure when the summer starts, but other times we all just need time to BE!
So June has been a month of recovery in a sense. Recovering from the school year, recovering from band practice, recovering from instrument practice, recovery from late nights of homework and data, recovery from time commitments that caused stress. June has allowed all of us to focus on ourselves and finding the things in life that make us calm or closer to peace. The epic adventure involved taking Violet back to Juneau, where we had so much fun visiting friends and finding some new nooks of the land to explore! Seeing so many friends reminded me of the importance of connecting as often as possible. "Frequency" is not the right word, but rather just recognizing when there is an opportunity for all of us to cross paths whether it be as a group, smaller pods, or just individuals giving hugs and sharing the stories they have about life since the last time we met.
While Kim continues to work diligently in her office, the rest of us are finding a daily rhythm of dog walks, lazy time, cleaning, exercise, reading/creativity, and small fun outings. Even though Kim is working, she finds time to visit throughout the day, and also share in the laughs and truly takes time to enjoy having the children around and also not having to have them as a responsibility while I am home.
And now we awake to a new month. July is off to a blistering start, with temperatures expected to reach about 100 degrees today (before humidity!). July is a long stretch of summer, with not a lot planned for our family. This is the true time of summer in my mind: seemingly endless days where it doesn't seem to really pass...like swimming through syrup. The days are thick and hot and generous portions of time are heaped upon us, and I will try (personally) to make the most of this time by spending it with family, on my personal health, or working to become a better human in some capacity. I am sure I will also enjoy some screen time and mindless activities...it is summer after all! :-)
-a
Sam and Dad at Brookfield Zoo encountering the dinosaurs!
Great picture of Violet from years past!
Audrey a few years ago at a ball game! Hoping to get a baseball!
This is our group after landing from our trip to Jake's Glacier Compound! We took the deadhead flight out and back the next morning via Wings on the harbor! It was an EPIC way for Violet to start her trip back in Juneau this summer. Thank you Jake!
We got to stay in the Treehouse at Jake's!
Violet, Dad, Taku...Juneau.
Juneau, 2026: Mendenhall Glacier
Violet
Piolet Violet
Audrey drove me downtown to Chicago and treated me to a night of Spielberg/Williams music played by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra! It was a special evening. Audrey is growing up! She parked using SpotHero, knew exactly where to walk and navigate the city streets and buildings...just impressed. Uncle Stuart would be proud.
Sandy Beach
Auke Lake
Goodnight, Juneau
