I'll be writing a longer travel post that details the trips we took, but I thought I'd fill in some of the gaps since the last time I posted with some family and friend updates.

As I went through my favorite, non-travel photos so far this summer, the common theme was water. It seems like all of our best moments, all of our local activities, revolve around those two elements.

From swimming in our backyard, from flying my drone around Town Lake (Ladybird Lake) in Austin, running around the Lake, swimming in Barton Springs, or just finding a swimming hole to keep cool in, water is our everything.

The boys have become such confident swimmers and it's just awesome to see their independence growing as they play with friends, as they explore the Springs and the Lake, and as they converse with adults on their deep thoughts.

Tater's vocabulary is also growing exponentially and we've started keeping a journal of the crazy things that he's said to us. Here's a sampling:

• Tate was tubing down the San Marcos river with his grand parents last week and later told Sara and I, "I was in my tube and saw two baby deers. And then my tube became detached and some dude pushed me forward."
• Tate had his shirt off and told us, "I don't know how I eat so much and stay so thin."
• Henry was upset about something and Tate told him, "Stay calm, sweetie pie."

It makes me so happy to read through those again!

The boys are also super-into crafting and their "crafting" is responsible for so many paint marks on the kitchen table, tape stuck to the floor, and scissors left on the ground. Tate has also found our expensive breast cancer stamps and has begun sticking them onto envelopes that he never intends to send.

I've also been shooting quite a few photographs of the Lake for the amazing Trail Foundation. The Trail Foundation is the FANTASTIC organization that works in partnership with the Austin Parks and Recreation department to maintain and build additional infrastructure around Town Lake. In my mind, Town Lake is the absolute gem of the city providing a huge boost to our quality of life in the form of running, biking, and walking trails, green spaces, water recreation, habitat for our wildlife, and beauty for the city. I can't say enough about this awesome organization, but, please, check out all the amazing projects that they're planning for the near-future. They're a non-profit and they're always in need of volunteers and donations (if you're able).

There are several more images below that I wasn't content leaving out. I'll be back with another update soon. If I'm missing something awesome about Austin that I need to take the kids to do, please let me know in the comments! 

Have a great day and a great rest of your July!