The “where were you post” will have to wait. We had such a delicious day yesterday that I can’t think about anything else. The sun is finally seated on his throne over the bright blue sky and we spent our day basking in the warmth of his bright rays. Just take a look.

Ava and I met her cousins and auntie at our new favorite beach.

After years of being an “only-the-ocean-has-beaches” snob, I have fully succumbed to the hometown allure of lakeside beaches. Sun, sand, and salt-free water is minutes away in nearly every direction of our home.

My niece, Amanda is only four months old, but she’s already a beach bum. A beach bum with a bonnet no less.

After washing away all traces of their winter skin in the sun-warmed lake, Ava and Katelyn cozied up under a blanket of rays. Perplexed at how this beach could transform from a frozen lake and snow-covered sand to a lakeside paradise in two and a half months, Ava exclaimed “This world is both cold and hot. How did God make such an amazing world?” I’m not sure Ava, but I much prefer the latter.

After tackling the chutes and ladders of the nearby play fort, we drove to the local market to pick up some fresh basil and tomatoes for my favorite summer salad.

(recipe coming soon)

We took a brief rest in the shade that is our home and then headed back out into bright, warm air. It’s a good thing the sun’s dominion reaches to the Mississippi, because our favorite local band was playing in the riverside ruins.

It was the perfect night for hopping

and twirling

to the rhythms of Romantica.

I highly recommend that you check out their site and drink in their tunes. It will be the best thing you do for your ipod all summer. Our friend, Jim, is the drummer hidden by the massive cymbal. The singer is from Northern Ireland, so we were fans even before we heard his sweet tunes. We heart Romantica!!

Ava kept wanting to get a better view of the band.

She finally scaled the ladder better known as her daddy.

She was more than fascinated with the missing roof and asked Shanel, “was it normal when you lived here?” If so, Shanel would need to be well over a hundred years old and quite incapable of spinning Miss Ava around the pebble floor. And take it from Ava, when you get an opportunity to meet the singer of the band, it is always best to inform him of all the people who died in the building he just finished playing in. It’s sure to leave a lasting impression.

Much like this perfect summer night.

Well we are off to the lake this weekend in hopes of making more summer memories. See you next week. Oh, and let me know what you think of Romantica.