Trip to Michigan

The kids and I took a trip to Michigan at the end of August. It was Will's first week of teaching, so he couldn't join us.  It was a bit exhausting for me! But more importantly, it was a lot of fun, and a precious week to spend hanging out with family.  After a couple days in Troy, we headed up to Glen Arbor where we stayed with Amma, Afi, and the Bartek clan - Gretchen, Quay, and their kids.  The four cousins were just peas in a pod by the end.  I miss them all lots already.  We spent lots of time in the pool, and also the beach.  Plus many hours just at the big rental house, laughing and playing with the kids, making s'mores or tacos for dinner.  We are hoping to make this reunion a yearly event, and hopefully it will work out for even more of our family to attend! xoxo from Nashville to our extended family.

On the plane

 Reading with Amma in her backyard

Kids in the garden wagon

Out to dinner in Ferndale

 Eli's first real beach experience

Edie and Eli with Amma and Afi

First s'mores

Edie and Eli looking out at the big lake from Empire, MI

Reunited with dad after his longest stretch without the kids.  The kids were thrilled to see him! Of course, high highs come with low lows, as well.  Evidenced here by Edie's unbidden meltdown.

Art Station

I took a trip to Atlanta with a few friends this summer.  And, of course, we stopped at IKEA, since we are so cruelly deprived of one here in Nashville.  The big score was some new supplies to an art studio area in Edie's room.  It has provided for hours of entertainment, and has given her a great place to retreat in peace when brother is getting a little too wild, which happens a lot these days.

Krugs Visit during Tomato Art Fest

This year was the 10th annual Tomato Art Fest, a local festival held in our neighborhood.  It was started as a way to enjoy the tomato harvest during the dog days of summer.  And our good friends from Seattle came in with their crew this year during the fest as well.  I ran in a 5k with Haley, we trucked the kids around to the festival itself, and even managed an adults' night out on Broadway to hand out at a honky tonk.

It's customary to dress up as a tomato fairy for the festival, and so here is Edie in our homemade outfit.

Dad and Eli, sweating it out, watching a music performance.

Mike and Anne!

Haley and Julian.  How's he get so big!?

Haley and me after our race.  And Julian ran in a kids one mile - his first race!

 At Roberts honky tonk bar listening to great live music.

Summertime

It's been a fun summer.  Full of mosquitoes and humidity.  But much more so, full of mornings at the park, trips to the library to beat the heat, eating popcicles on the patio, and weekly trips to our local farmers market.  Here is Edie, late this summer, breathing deep and moving slow at that market, one balmy afternoon.