Gimme S'more Summer!

We went to the coast this weekend. Correction: we went almost as far west as you can go in a car...almost...and then got distracted by the sand dunes and freshwater lakes and never actually made it to the coastline. That's right--we camped about 1/4 mile from the ocean and never actually saw the Pacific. We were too busy.

Nope. Not the ocean. Inland, freshwater lake surrounded by sand dune.

  Nope, not the beach. Sand dune.

 Nope, not a desert nomad. Winona. 

It was a fun weekend of sunshine and family... 
a little one-two punch pushback to Fall. 

Papa Bear here seen fulfilling his duties as one who passes along the imperative and roots-affirming experiences of ones own childhood to the next generation... In this case, "Pinch-A-Butt." (You know, all hold pole, all run in circle trying to--at once--both avoid the pinch from behind and inflict a pinch ahead. Inevitably, get dizzy and fall down laughing really hard.)

Speaking of dizzy. Lie down on dune, put hands above head, engage core and give yourself over to gravity....all.......the......way.......down. 

Or, until you think you really might vomit. Whichever comes first.

 Showtime in the Trees!

 Showtime at the fire!

 I simply cannot hear another song without another round of cocoa.

This may be fun and yummy, but it's an artform, girls. Pay attention. And NO blackened marshmallow. I simply will not have it.

 Now, THAT's how it's done. 

 Note to self: S'mores take down more outfits than swimming, sand play, potty training and treeclimbing combined--pack accordingly.

On a personal note, I was glad to be media-free this weekend. I won't forget. I can't forget. I've had nightmares three times this week in "remembrance"--and no never before seen video! is going to help me make better sense of the insidious madness of 10 years ago today. Take me to the coast (or, um, really, really close to it, anyway) and give me giggles and songs. We will likely never know what happened on September 11th, really... so, what I choose to remember is how precious the moments are that we have here together, and how sweet it all is!