Summer fun

It's been a long time since the last update - we've been busy! Nathaniel is growing quickly in walking proficiency and in vocabulary, and seems to be in almost constant motion while he's awake, focussed primarily on exploring and making as much noise as possible. Here's a few highlight of how we're enjoying our summer:

Creek-Stomping
About three weeks ago we had a reunion with old housemates and their families. We had lots of room to roam and a great creek to explore, which of course was greatly enjoyed by the numerous kids and dogs (and the grownups, too.)

Camping
"Camp Allen" has happened every summer since Sid and Blake (now 17) were about 8 months old. They, their sister Rebecca, and mom Lourene (Mike's cousin) come for a few days to stay with Mike's parents, and we Durhamallens go hang out as much time as we can. Over the years the activities have changed slightly (for example, the Star Wars movie-watching marathon hasn't happened in a couple of years) but it is still a highlight of the summer.

Splashing

Nathaniel's love of water is still strong. A neighbor with a backyard pool graciously invited us for a swim, and Nathaniel didn't have to be asked twice. He had some serious prune-wrinkled feet by the time he got out, and would have been happy to have stayed in the water twice as long.