End of Summer

With Labor Day behind us and football season in full swing, summer is coming to a close.  I can feel a difference in the air, especially in the mornings, and we are already seeing some leaves changing around our neighborhood.  Between traveling, hosting guests, and preparing for the baby's arrival, this summer just flew by!  I didn't have a chance to get outdoors as much as I had planned, but I hope to get up into the mountains more in the next few weeks as we welcome the fall colors.

 Before Labor Day weekend I went on my only camping trip of the summer with a group of friends to a quiet, wooded spot outside of Truchas.  It was wonderful to get away from the city for a night, relax around the fire, and gaze at the stars on a clear night.  Besides being outdoors, the best part of camping is getting away from the constant to-do lists and housework!
Home away from home

Watching the sunset

Nothing beats the smell of a campfire

Labor Day weekend we celebrated my brother's amazing wedding to his beautiful bride, Audrey!  The weather in Minnesota was so perfect and the day was gorgeous.  The wedding was held at the Lafayette Club on Lake Minnetonka.  We are so excited to welcome a new sister to the family and it was an absolute blast to celebrate with all of their close friends.
Wedding ceremony at the Lafayette Club

Riding the trolley with the hubby

The bride and groom's first dance

Really fun reception with the Mraz Bros
This week my dad, who recently retired from teaching, took a solo road trip "out west" and spent a few days with us in Santa Fe!  We sampled New Mexican food, listened to live music, perused the Georgia O'keeffe museum, drove along a scenic route northeast of the city to admire the mountain views, and hiked the Rio en Medio trail.  I haven't done that hike in over 4 years and the variety of vegetation was beautiful.  There were shrub oaks, maples, a few Aspen leaves beginning to change, a variety of wildflowers, and prickly pear cacti along the banks of the stream.
The leaves are starting to change
Hiking along the Rio en Medio

Pretty yellow wildflowers

I love the color of these flowers!

Prickly pear cacti
Less than 2 weeks left until fall is officially here!  We are traveling to northern Utah later this week, then I'll be home "nesting" until Baby arrives! :-)



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