Last year we visited some friends and saw that they had made a goal and a poster to bike 100 miles over the summer. So we stole their idea, modified it with our family in mind, and set a goal this past summer to walk, hike, and bike 75 miles as a family. If we weren't all together, we couldn't count it. From the first bike ride on the Rio Grande rail trail to the last one-mile walk to Asa's new elementary school the Sunday before school started, it was a blast, and it was a challenge, and the kids rocked it. And we did it! Michelle commented on how she could see the kids' legs getting stronger, and I could definitely see them get more confident in going long distances. That's not to say there was no whining, because there was, but we all got to where a four-mile hike up the mountain just wasn't a big deal. Emmie spent most of the 75 miles in a bike stroller or a baby backpack, and she was a trooper. The kids got to name all the activities. This one ...

Life has really been coming at us quickly this summer. We've gone a lot of places, lots of people have come to us, and Emmeline has turned from a baby into a toddler. The days are full, and so are the evenings, and so are the nights. And Nate and I are so tired. One day we're hoping this baby will learn to sleep through the night. I just wanted to take a second and make a note of how much I appreciate Nate. He had the crazy idea for us to sign up for a trail half marathon several months ago. Somehow he got me to go along with it, even though I could hardly run down the block at that point. Since then, we have run and run and run. We both trained hard and consistently and gotten stronger. I've remembered that even though I have given birth to five kids and I have the body to show for it, I can still do hard things. I can get up early. I can get sweaty. I can set goals that I can keep. Nate has been so encouraging. More than anything, running has given us a chance to...

Today Leah and I planted a flower garden for preschool. When we were done she said, "Mom, when I grow up I want to be a mom who works in the garden a lot. "