Summer has essentially hit Austin, and I’m excited! I love each of the seasons for different reasons. 

1. Build a mud pit 
2. Get a plastic child’s pool for the deck
3. Get the backyard landscaped
4. Build a pool! (I need to write a whole separate post about this to explain why we are making such an environmentally and fiscally irresponsible decision). 
5. Swim in creeks
6. Make popsicles
7. Harvest vegetables
8. Travel to Michigan with family
9. Invite friends over for backyard movie nights
10. Host a movie “walk-in” (instead of a drive-in) for our neighbors
11. Go for lots of evening walks in the neighborhood
12. Go for lots of

I am so eager to host a party for some of our new staff members this Friday! When we were choosing the design of our house, we intentionally tried to create a casual, comfortable hang-out space. The kitchen has a giant island that connects to the dining area with a large table which connects to the living area with a large sectional which connects to the deck. Now that we finally have furniture, the deck is also a fun place to hang out.   

The truth is that we don’t use our house as a hang-out space nearly enough. Mustering up the patience needed to calmly and cheerfully parent an infant … Read More