Summer!

It is no secret that I love summer. Just follow me on Facebook or read the past 4 years of blogposts, and you will know just how much. There's always lots going on with the Kepples in the summertime. The girls usually arrive by the end of June, there's the annual Prutch 4th of July barbeque, and of course our family vacation!! Plus, all of our birthdays are in summer (except for Randy's) and this year, we're celebrating some big ones! Kara will be 18, Megan 16 AND, Kara graduates from high school this year!

For the past few years, our family vacations usually consisted of a week at the Oregon Coast. Last summer we were able to do something different because the opportunity presented itself! Our trip to Florida and the Bahamas was a very memorable trip for the girls and I but Dad was not able to join us. I thought it was the last vacation where all three girls would be together but it looks like we'll get one more chance and this year and Randy will be able to join the fun!

Kara is off to Western Washington University this Fall and we're hoping she'll take some time off to spend with friends and family. Megan has to go to summer school which means she won't be able to spend her usual six weeks with us so we're going to bring vacation to her and spend a couple of weeks in So Cal. I spend so much time down there during the school year that it never really feels like "time off". But this time, it actually WILL be a vacation!

Kaylee is turning 11 so we thought it would be fun to take her to Disneyland for her birthday! Everyone gets in FREE on their birthday in '09! Then we're planning on renting a beach house and spending time on the warm beaches of Cali. Maybe a quick drive to Vegas to visit my aunt, a day in Napa Valley and then home! I'm so excited!! It makes me giddy to be planning this upcoming trip!

For even more excitement, we're hoping Randy's dad, Roger and his wife will join us at the beach and have a mini-family reunion with my dad, brother, and possibly some other extended family members! The countdown is on! I don't even think the thought of more rain between now and then can get me down! I know for certain my summer will be filled with sunshine, fun and family and I can't wait!

And, in the meantime, Randy and I will be traveling to San Antonio, TX for our 10-year wedding anniversary. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to spend a few days away and, even though I have to attend a conference while there, most of the expenses are paid for by my work! Not a bad deal, if you ask me!

So, on this unusually hot day in Washington, as I sit in the warmth of the sun at Starbucks drinking my Venti iced-tea, I am happy. I am excited. And I am anticipating the months ahead!

Ecco un meraviglioso estate!