blog mondays: weekend snapshots

Because Monday was Memorial Day this week, we've temporarily moved blog mondays to tuesday.

This week's topic: If you had a camera at your side 24/7 this weekend (Friday night through Monday night), constantly taking pictures of your every moment, what were your four most favorite "snapshots"?

In no particular order...

1. Swimming in the rain (don't worry, we got out when the lightning started).: On Monday we were at my in-laws house planting an abundance of flower pots to take back with us for our patio in Ann Arbor. As we planted in the backyard we were covered in potting soil and sweat which made a dip in the pool, after completing our planting tasks, quite refreshing. While we were swimming it started pouring rain. Justin and I took turns jumping off the diving board and racing around the pool while huge rain drops fell all around us. The dark clouds and the loud noise of rain created a moment that felt like something out of the movies.

2. Late night beers by the river.: On Sunday night we went over to my Dad's house to grill a yummy steak dinner and enjoy our favorite summer beverage...Oberon. After our tummies were full and the dishes were cleaned up, we walked down to the river that our neighborhood accesses and sat on a little bench in the marina, under the stars, sipping our Oberons and chatting about life. It was one of those moments when you think, "ahhh, this is summer...."

3. A nap in the sunshine: On Sunday after church, we had dinner at the Mast household with my brother-in-law's fiance, Nicole, and Justin's parents. After enjoying a delicious summer meal, we all headed to the backyard pool for some relaxing in the sun. Nicole and I staked our spots in the poolside lounge chairs where I lathered on sunscreen to catch some rays. I fell asleep reading one of my new favorite books, An Embarrassment of Mangoes, with the sun shining down. I've always loved falling asleep in the sun on vacation -- it's so warm and cozy and the only thing on your to-do list is to reapply sunscreen. When I woke up sweating from the almost 90 degree weather, I took a quick jump in the pool to cool off. Summer bliss.

4. A cruise around the lake: On Saturday we attended a going away party for our friends Todd and Kate who are leaving to do work in Costa Rica for the summer. The party took place on a beautiful lake. I made sure to take a few boat rides around the lake whenever they were offered. I really loved cruising around the lake on the pontoon boat filled with friends, laughter and music. The weather was PERFECT and the best part was knowing that this was only the first day of our three day weekend!

(The above picture is a true snapshot of Justin and me on the pontoon boat)