Summer 2017, so far

It's almost the Ides of July, so I thought I'd post a review of summer.

1. Memorial Day weekend, we went to Park City and stayed for the night. It was really fun and relaxing.We found the best breakfast spot - I can't wait to eat there again.
2. On a whim, I went to a Dead & Company concert in June. It was so much fun! I got there late and spent a lot of time finding my brother-in-law and nephew, but even so, it was a great time. I didn't ever imagine myself seeing any of the remnants of The Grateful Dead again - the last time I saw them was in June 1995, just a few months before Jerry Garcia died. But it was an enjoyable reminder of my youthful days. Hippies haven't changed much in 22 years, which is both surprising and comforting. I knew I could show up and even if I didn't find my people, I was still pretty much with my people.
3. My BFF Rebecca, came to Utah also in June. We spent a lovely morning whiling away the hours in her hotel room. I got to meet her daughter, who was just delightful, and adorable - she took a nap on my chest, which was a little bit like heaven. I haven't seen Rebecca since 2013, so it was a sweet reunion with (most of) her little family.
4. Our other BFFs also came to Utah in June. We spent 2 days visiting with them at their rental house in Salt Lake. We spent a lot of time laughing and going to the store and Starbucks and visiting with them and so many other people who love them. It was so nice to be able to drive across the valley to see them. The kids swam in the pool and played soccer in the front yard and Thomas took a 5 hour nap on the couch and none of us could have been happier.
5. Thomas has been going to cross country practice again this summer. It's fun to see him improving so much - the coach told me last summer it takes a year to make a distance runner, and I totally can see that now. He's also practicing driving so he can get his licence next month. They grow up too fast. He went to his first concert last Friday with friends, and he had so much fun. I love watching him start to have grown up experiences.
6. Ben tried out for and made the same soccer team that he did last year. We love the coach and the players. They did a tournament last week and it was fun to see him playing again, even if it was 150 degrees in the shade. (I might be exaggerating a little.)
7. I started riding my bike more and doing the stair climber at the gym. Every now and then, I remember I can't just run to stay in shape.
8. I went on a lovely hike with a friend the Friday before my birthday. I love hiking and want to do more of it.
9. I did the Provo Freedom Festival 10K with my sister Amy and oldest niece Kayci. It was so fun running with these women I love. We've never all done a race together, and we almost ran out of time before my niece moves again. So grateful that the stars aligned and we made it work.
10. After the race, I had a lovely breakfast with my mom. It was fun to just sit with her one on one and visit. 
11. I'm realizing that as my kids get older and start going this way and that with their friends, Shane and I have more time to just be together. We had 2 days in the space of a week where we were on our own. I love that we are still friends and enjoy each other's company.
12. For the first time in our lives, we were on the groom's side for a wedding! My nephew Zac got married at the end of June. It was an adorable wedding. I loved being with my family all together.
13. My car has been in the shop most of the summer due to transmission problems. I've been driving loaner Subaru Imrezas, and I'm getting a bit spoiled by them, with their fancy back-up cams and digital radio screens.

We still have a mini-vacation planned, and a few more soccer tournaments. I hope to do more hiking and spend more time with family.

How's your summer?