Ah, Snow Beach. The classic snow cone summer hot spot of my childhood. Now passing on the tradition to my own kids… We had a great Snow Beach trip with my family not too long ago. My dad totally spoiled Annelise with the numerous bites he was giving her. :)

So you know the song I Won’t Give Up by Jason Mraz? There was a period not too long ago when Carson haaaaated that song. No, not just hated. He was, like, terrified of it or something. Any time it came on in the car, he would say “Not this one” over and over in an increasingly desperate voice, and if we didn’t switch the song he would eventually break down in tears. It was the saddest, weirdest thing. We have no idea why that song in particular, why the intense dislike. Carson’s never been like that for another song. He usually loves music and points out his favorites. It totally baffled (and, okay, admittedly slightly entertained) us.

This face was typical of a I-Won’t-Give-Up episode if we let it go too far:

Luckily the phase has passed now. :)

It’s official. She’s a chocoholic like me. :)

My parents’ backyard is the coolest. It always was growing up, and it still is now. Carson and Annelise love to go over and play there. On the afternoon pictured here it was just me and the kids in the backyard for a while, playing in the dirt and climbing up the slide and jumping on the tramp. It was one of those good afternoons, the special ones where everything is sunshiny and just right. I love having those just right memories.