Sweet summer goodness...

I'm posting a LOT of pictures! Consider yourself warned! Every August I have a chance to return home for either a short or relatively long-ish visit. This summer, it was short. Regardless, it was a wonderful time of visiting with family and friends, catching up on some much needed sleep and enjoying the beauty of B.C. Here are some snippets of what I was up to while I was home. SWEET SUMMER GOODNESS, as my title states...

Bocce ball at the lake. Vicky giving it her best throw in order to not let the blue team win again...
Lauren (from the blue team) getting ready to throw another winning ball.
Bonnie, wondering why the blue team keeps winning and me (from the blue team) giving my best intimidating look to the camera.
And the winning team is.........BLUE! I claim it's because we had the cutest team members (that and our natural bocce ball skills).
On one of my trips into Vancouver...just at the entrance to Stanley park. Gotta love the ocean.
Kevin, rejoicing after getting the wiring done in my parents new kitchen behind the drywall (with my help of course ;)
On another trip into Vancouver, Jame and I visiting with our old friend, Corinna! What a fun night of catching up! Thanks for having us over Corinna! We're all looking pretty fine compared to our junior high days :)
My dear friend Laurie and my favorite neice, Adia...just enjoying a little starbucks! So cute!
Picnic at the lake with the gang. Good food, good friends...(almost sounds like an ad for Earls).
Lauren, Jamie, Bonnie and Vicky enjoying some ice cream at Harrison! Lovely way to spend a Sunday!
Danika, her daughter Maddox (and another one on the way), Amy and myself going for a walk at Mill Lake in Abby.
Kev and I blinded by the sun and a little windblown in Vancouver.
Mom and dad at the Lions game. (Lions won and we got to experience a little brawling action in the stands)
Kev, his girlfriend Ashley and friend, Amy also at the Lions game.
The girls at Harrison.
More of us at Harrison. Look how beautiful it is out there!
More of Harrison's beauty. I just can't get enough of the mountains and water! There's none of that in Edmonton!
Meredith (who had her baby boy when I was home!), Jame and I visiting at Starbucks!

I did a ton more stuff while I was home, but that's what I managed to capture on camera! Many mornings, my routine consisted of hopping on my dad's bike and heading out into the "country" for a good 20 mile ride. Besides seeing everyone, it was one of my highlights as being outside in the fresh air gives me so much energy! It is also such a great opportunity to praise our Lord for his imagination and creativity that he has blessed us with in the form of the great outdoors! I was in awe every morning--wind rushing over and around me, majestic mountains looming on either side of me, blue sky and sunshine warming me or rain refreshing my soul, the strength and ability to get on that bike and just go. A blessing that I will not soon forget. Especially since I'm back in Edmonton and have the responsibility to study hard now for my first of two national exams that is quickly approaching! Thanks for checking in friends, I promise to blog more regularly again!