Off Season!

Happy Labor Day!

I'm excited about today for so many reasons. It's obviously a holiday, and I love holidays in general. It's also the husband and my dating anniversary (10 whole years together!)...our wedding anniversary is in two more days. But most importantly, it's the last day of the (minor league) baseball season! That means after today, my husband will have a more relaxed schedule and we'll be able to see him again! I have to tell you, Summer has always been my favorite time of the year, but now that I have a significant other who works in baseball, the off season will forever be my new favorite. Mark's schedule April - September can be pretty grindy. He usually gets to work before 8:30 in the morning and doesn't get home until after 10:30 at night (this includes holidays and weekends, too). Occasionally, he'll get to work from home or get off by 6 pm or mayyyybe get a day off here and there. But for the most part, it's eat, sleep, breathe baseball. And I don't mind. For the first month or two. All complaining aside, my husband loves his job, and I love that he gets to make a career out of doing something that he loves. But i'm seriously thrilled that the season is over.

Now, before I get into our plans for the fall (husband's one request is that he gets to sleep in as often as possible), I thought a summer recap would be appropriate. So, get ready for a million photos! But seriously, I took more than 2700 photos from June - August...

In June, we celebrated my birthday (27!) at Hook & Ladder Manufacturing Co. in Sacramento. The food and drinks were incredible, and I loved the atmosphere. They were also very considerate, considering we brought our 6-month old baby who likes to "yell-talk".

We also celebrated Becks' 6-month birthday! The picture on the left was taken a couple of weeks after he was born, and the one on the right is at 6-months old. Such a sweet, happy boy! I know every parent says it, but I really cannot believe how quickly the time is passing with him. Every month so far has been better than the last, and it is really such a joy to watch him experience life. I love being his mommy.

Playing peek-a-boo with Becks!

Mark's first Father's Day! He had to work that day, but I made him fresh strawberry scones for breakfast in the morning and an ice cream cake for when he got home. He's obsessed with the peanut butter chocolate ice cream from Baskin Robbins, so that's what I used (along with chocolate cake and stabilized whipped cream as the frosting). He loved it!

We bought Becks his first Mickey because he's in love with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He likes to give Mickey lots of kisses.

Becks and I went to lots of baseball games this summer so we could see daddy. In June, our best friend was home visiting from Georgia, and it was so great to have him join us for some games!

Becks and I spent lots of time at the pool this summer (especially on the (100 plus degree days), and he tried his first ice cream cone. He was obviously a fan.

I also made time to can some plum jam with a good family friend, Jane. We've done this every year together for the last several years, with plums from trees in her backyard. For our wedding 3 years ago, Jane helped me can more than 150 jars of jam to use as wedding favors!

I made red white and blue pancakes for the Fourth of July.

It was over 105 degrees on the Fourth. Becks celebrated by trying (and loving) his first shaved ice.

We had a lot of fun at "Fourth on the Field" for July Fourth (even if it was miserably hot). It was a great event with food trucks and live music on the baseball field. When the sun went down there was an incredible fireworks show!