i know it’s been summer for a while, especially with the scorching hot weather we had the past few weeks. these are just some things that i love the most about summer time and really appreciate them. the weather has been pretty nice this week (upper 80s). i love being able to actually enjoy the outdoors without melting haha. so here are 13 things i like about summer! 🙂

1. long days – yay for it staying light outside until almost 9!!! i LOVE it. i feel like i have more time in the day and can be so much more productive!

2. sunshine – oh what a glorious thing! i just love feeling the sun shine down on me. it’s like God’s hugging me. 🙂

3. warm weather – yes, i know the heat can stink sometimes (especially with the past week being in the 100s), but i feel i can function a lot better in the heat than the cold. when it’s cold outside, i feel like everything hurts. at least in the summer i don’t feel like a grandma hehe.

4. tanned skin – i think tans make everything better. well, except skin cancer, errr… anyway. it’s nice to have a healthy glow! 🙂

5. ice cream – ok. ok. i can eat ice cream in all kinds of weather. summer just gives me an excuse to do it. 😉

6. evening walks – i love being able to come home from work and it’s still light out. it’s nice to just taken an evening walk and unwind from the day.

7. cookouts – mmm mmm mmm! nothing is better than a slightly burnt hot dog. yummmmmyyyy!!! i just love cookouts. lots of yummy foods, fun conversations, and great memories.

8. late nights – i don’t need summer to have late nights, this happens pretty regularly. however, in the summer, my sister’s are usually up for part of my late nights so that makes it better. yay for sister bonding over friends and other tv shows! 🙂

9. beach trips – nuff said! i love the beach. the crashing of the waves, the instant pedicure as you walk on the sand, and the break from reality. i love it and i can’t wait for my mini-beach trip with a family reunion on the side that is coming up. fun fun fun!

10. bright colors – i love all things bright. if it’s a pretty color, chances are its caught my attention. life is more fun in neon colors. hellllloooo!!! i am a product of the 80’s fo sho!

11. photo sessions – with the longer days it also gives me more time for photo sessions in the evenings! this is so nice considering i work until 5:30 every day. no more having to depend on JUST the weekends. besides, the best lighting is after 5:30 anyway, right? 😉

12. summer blockbusters – i LOVE going to the movies. i feel like they save some of the best movies for summer time. is anyone else as excited as me to see the new batman flick?! i might be going to see a marathon of all three the day it premiers!!! so excited!

13. music up & windows down – i love coming home in the evenings with my windows down. i love soaking up the summer. feeling the summer air hit my face and listening to my cheesy pop music on a late-night drive is the epitome of summer to me! love love love it! 🙂

happy thursday, friends!  ♥