We spent lots of time outdoors in May and early June - we had beautiful weather, unusually cool for that time of year.  In June we ventured back east for a week to visit our friends and family in Maryland and Virginia.  We had so much fun, especially being right on the water the whole time.  We spent the first few days at the Parrish family beach cottage and had so much fun fishing, playing games, and enjoying a Father's Day crab feast with Grandma & Grandpa Brandt, Grandma & Grandpa Parrish, Aunt Tammy, Uncle Chris, & cousins Lauren and Adam.  Then we went to Grandmommy and Granddaddy Abell's house on Smith Mountain Lake for a few days, where we enjoyed boating, tubing & jet skiing, fishing, games and more yummy food.  Then back up to the beach cottage for a few more fun days before heading back to the land of hot and dry.  We also had fun visits with the rest of the Abell family, and with some old friends and their kids while we were in town.  It was a great vacation for us and we were sad to have to end it! 

The weekend after we got back was July 4th, which we spent at Panguitch Lake in Utah with Grandma and Grandpa Scheppmann. We camped right on the river, and had fun fishing all weekend long.  We had to sleep in the car the first night (because Michael was apparently so excited by the camping experience that he wouldn't go to sleep, so we had to drive him around until he zonked out just before the sun came up!), but after that he did pretty well and enjoyed playing outside and fishing with his little Spiderman pole.  A few days after we got back from Panguitch, my Granddad (Greatdaddy) Orndorff passed away, so I flew back to Knoxville for his funeral.  It was really nice to spend time with my extended family, much of who I hadn't seen in many years. It was a quick trip but I'm really glad I went.

After we finally started to settle from a month of traveling, Darryl came up with the idea to go back up to Panguitch for a weekend, but without Michael this time. So Grandma and Grandpa Scheppmann took care of Michael and Maddie for two days while Darryl and I enjoyed a very fun tenting & fishing weekend alone.  Now we only have a few more weeks before we leave for our next trip, to Minnesota!  We are really excited to see our friends and family there, and we'll be celebrating Michael's 2nd birthday there too!  In addition to that trip, the next few months are busy with weddings, visits from family, and birthday parties.  So the fun continues!

It's hard to believe Michael is turning two this month, although some days he proudly displays the terrible twos!  He has endless energy, loves to try to do everything on his own, and is still a fun & silly little guy most of the time. 

We hope you're all enjoying the summer and staying cool!  I've posted three new picture albums from our summer adventures so far, and a few cute videos too.  We'll post more pics after our MN trip.  Keep in touch!