Good-bye Summer, it's been grand

Once again, it has been an age since I blogged. But we've certainly packed in the events for August!! Flying to the States, toodling around the Pacific Northwest, coming back, having Mark's mum come to stay for a bit, our anniversary, and Mark's birthday! Whew! And suddenly we look up and realize that Mark heads back to school next week and tomorrow is September.
Tempus fugit. I've always known that, but every year picks up speed. They say things slow down with age. Hmmm. At the rate we're going, I'll blink and Colin will be married. So, given our every increasing velocity around the sun, I think I'd better stop and take a moment to record a few reflections.
It was glorious to soak up the States. Our trip to Cannon Beach even obliged with sunshine and our little man seemed to enjoy sitting on the sand. He didn't enjoy the cold Pacific waves, curling up like a poked anemone when we tried to dip his toes in it. But we had a fantastic time with our family and when I say 'family' I mean cousins, aunts, uncles, grandmothers--the lot. We stayed in a house on the beach that is very special to our family and I was so pleased to share it with Mark and Colin.
We whizzed through Seattle on the way home and I enjoyed the brief time in another place dear to my heart. I never get tired of the Seattle skyline and there is still a part of me that feels I have come home, every time I view it. Who knows? If Mark and I live in the US for a while, it would be nice to be there. :) Toward the end of our visit, we went up to Spokane and my dear friend Lori arranged an open house so we could see as many of my friends and former colleagues as possible. What a joy that was! I went hoarse from talking to so many people. Isn't it great that we'll have eternity to catch up with dear family and friends? Because there's just not enough time in this life!! :)
A lot of folks have asked what our favorite part of the trip was. And I'm sorry if it's cliche, but hands down, it was the family time. I just ate up time with precious friends as well and was so blessed by that, but it was the time we spent with our family that recharged our batteries and made our trip so special. It was an opportunity to make Colin real to his little cousins and I didn't get tired of watching them interact with him or him watch them in fascination.
So now we're back and in the swing of England again. And we're good with that. Because the autumn is a-comin' and things are getting cooler and I desire to make butternut squash soup and redecorate the house for a season of festivities. So I'll do that. See you in September!