Summer… the days were long but the season passed by too quickly.  Not sure where all of the hours went but most of them were spent outside at Mellor Ranch.  We would start off with a bike ride and jog down our road to see Romeo, the donkey.  Most days we ended up in swimsuits to play on the grass, swim in the creek, or go to the pool.  All meals, including breakfast, were eaten outside.  We mastered sunscreen application in record time.  Bed time was very flexible for the first time.  We took a break from most structure and thoroughly enjoyed the long days.  Charlotte and Johnny attended Deer Valley Camp a couple days a week where they did hikes, funicular rides, and activities outside while I had a moment of being an adult.

One of our favorite events of the year is the annual hay cut.  We all get to participate in daddy’s hard work from cutting to raking and finally baling.  Johnny was just a step behind on his own tractor.  John got 200 bales this year which went to our old horses Monty and Hook.  Mellor Ranch was happy.

A few memories and highlights from summer:  John’s mom (GrandmaB) passed away peacefully at the age of 91, the bond between Charlotte and Johnny became even stronger, Swaner Preserve rainbows, John’s flip from Slip and Soar, digging for worms, hay cutting, another cover photo op of Prissy, 4th of July with our neighbors, Johnny starting to wear underwear, Charlotte getting her ears pierced, the pool, two nights of camping at Ferron while John was in China, early morning hot air balloons, planting some new trees, the solar eclipse, and last but not least, the first day of kindergarten for Charlotte and second year of preschool for Johnny.