Upon returning home from Colorado, Grandma called to ask if the kids and I wanted to come up and pick the rest of the plums from their tree. My parents must know me well, since there's probably nothing I'd prefer to eat than these beauties. Connor and Alaina have both inherited the love as well, and for a week afterward, we had at least six plums with every meal. It was simply heavenly.






Grandma also picked some perfectly ripened nectarines off of their tree, and let me tell you, if you haven't had one of these, you haven't lived. They put grocery store produce to absolute shame. I hope my kids will have the wonderful memories that I did of going into my grandparents' yard and enjoying these gems.


Sorry to catch you mid-sentence, Mom, but I love the way Connor is looking at you here. :)


After such a busy summer, there's nothing quite like a good swing on a tire under a willow tree.


(Please look past Connor's mismatched plaids...we were in the middle of trying on some new clothes from the Eyrings! Thanks, guys!) Toward the end of our afternoon, Grandma reminded our kids that her summer Read-A-Thon program had ended. Connor and Alaina don't quite understand the value (and potential!) of earning money for reading books over the summer yet, but I think they'll remember it now! I remember the summer that I earned $40 from Grandma for reading 4,000 pages...I thought I was one wealthy woman! The money must have been scorching since it promptly began burning holes in their pockets. They each earned $8 for listening to stories at bedtime (not that I have to twist their arms!). Connor chose to spend his on a harmonica, a set of metal handcuffs, and a candy. Alaina chose a reverberation microphone, those sponge-in-dissolvable-capsule-things (sooo my child), and a candy. Thanks for a great afternoon, Grandma! We love you!