All set for summer

After a long, cold winter, and snow in April (and nightmares of snow in June - like the one I had last night), I think you really, REALLY appreciate summer.  I am not sure I've ever been as excited about summer as I am this year.

So we are making the most of it.

We're running around outside in our swimsuits and playing with water.

We're picnicking.

We even just got a huge load of wood delivered ...

... so that we can enjoy our new fire pit all summer (and fall).

That the wood isn't quite dry is a problem, but we will power through.

What a difference a month makes

April 2:

May 3:

We bought the patio furniture at IKEA this weekend.  I fully intend to spend every sunny afternoon sitting outside with the girls.  So I didn't even cringe (as much as I usually would have) when a quick check on the IKEA web site revealed that, in the States, the exact same set would have cost us about $300.  We paid nearly twice that much.  Yes, summer is short here, but after the long winter, that just means we will get double enjoyment out of it.  (That makes sense, yes?)