Happy first Friday of October, friends! Can you believe we’re here already? I feel like I say this every single week, but I mean it. This year has felt like it’s been both the longest and shortest year of my life…all at the same time. So much of 2020 has been a proverbial sh*tshow. A lot of good has come from it though, too. When 2020 kicked off, I posted that my word for the year was “intentional.” My goal was to do, embrace, and experience everything with the best of intentions, and I’ve done my best to make that theme carry us through the chaos of the year thus far. That’s why I want to focus on the good and, in particular, our favorite 2020 summer memories today.
Fall is in full swing. I shared on my instagram yesterday that, while second summer and this warmup spell is here right now, fall weather is coming fast, and the nights definitely let us know winter is on its way. There are just 13 days until Ryan’s marketplace opens, and only three more months until we dive into a New Year. This time though? It’s fleeting, and I want to soak it up as much as possible. So, without further ado, here we go.
Our Favorite 2020 Summer Memories
1 // Our First Time Camping with Three Kids
We’ve had our Coleman tent for four years since we were at Fort Drum, but Ryan’s always been gone, or the kids were too little, or we basically unearthed every excuse in the book…until now. Camping with the kids was such a special experience, and they loved it (as did we!) We loved it so much, in fact, that we went more than once, and we started finding our own routine in the chaos, packing up and getting out to the middle of nowhere.
2 // Visiting Maine
Sadly, Ryan wasn’t able to come with us this summer because he was at NTC, but the kids and I packed up, flew to Boston/NH, and got to spend a week with family on the East Coast! Perhaps most special of all, however, was our day trip to Keoka Lake in Waterford, Maine, a town that hold some of our most special memories. Sharing those with the kids was nothing short of memorable and fun for all.
3 // Farmer’s Market Picnic Dinners
We were afraid that the Steilacoom Farmer’s Market wouldn’t open this year because of COVID, but it did, and we were so eternally grateful for it! Our weekly Wednesday picnic dinners by the water were a highlight for all of us, breaking up the week and offering a little taste of normalcy amidst all the craziness. I hope we have the opportunity to visit one more time before we PCS next year, but who knows?!
4 // Swimming in Glacial Lakes
I’ve been a swimmer my whole life, but this summer reiterated how much I need to dive back into open water swimming as a hobby and a sport. I’ve been so burned out of pool trainining since retiring at 22 after 20ish years of competition, but swimming in lakes? So much better. Swimming in Emmons Moraine, diving into Snow Lake, and basically jumping into every body of water possible was such a blast, and I’m excited to find a race in 2021 to inspire me to keep going even when the weather changes!
5 // Spending Quality Time with Friends & Family
Even though spring was spent in isolation, we got to spend so much uninterrupted time together as a family. Then, when restrictions began to lift somewhat, we were able to see and spend time with great family and friends, as well. From hiking to camping, dinners, barbecues, and beyond, we’ve been able to enjoy some great times with great friends, despite the chaos of this year. I’m sure those memories will keep filling our cups long after we all PCS.
This fall and winter season are going to lead us into a year of big changes. We haven’t moved since 2018 when we arrived at JBLM, but we’re ready. We’re excited for our next adventure. I’m so grateful for our favorite 2020 summer memories carrying us through a crazy year though and leading into what I’m sure will be a fun and interesting fall.
Tell me – what were some of the highlights of your summer this year?
