Nuncla Duncla Day

What is Nuncla Duncla day?  It's a 100% made up holiday by my father that we celebrated every year growing up.  My father lived for summer time, being outside, gardening, hiking, going for picnics in the mountains.  Summer was everything for him.  Nuncla Duncla is simply the Summer Solstice celebrated with dessert and staying out late as we welcome summer and the longest day of the year.  

For those of you who don't know, my father passed away in 2004.  We had a complicated relationship but we loved each other a lot through it all.  I have been celebrating Nuncla Duncla day with the kids each and every year since they were born.  It is the ultimate way to celebrate his life.

This year I decided to encompass all things summer in my day.  I greeted the sun as it came up in Boulder, grabbed a Starbucks, went Paddleboarding with my adventure friend Jaime in Westminster at Standley Lake, I went swimming with the kids in Arvada, took a sun nap, had dinner, watched the sunset, talked to some goats, played with sparklers, and had strawberry dessert with extra whipped cream (kids not me).  It was the ultimate Nuncla Duncla day.  Welcome Summer, please stay for a while!

Making a wish for a productive summer and hoping to reach some serious goals.

I love Colorado sunrises. I don't see them as often as I would like.

Jaime and I soaking up the sun (too much) for a couple hours. I have a white cuff where my paddleboard cuff went around my ankle....or I busted out of prison...either way. (Photo credit Jaime McClintock)

I can never get enough of the lake and the mountains. It would take so much for me to move out of here. (Photo Credit: Jaime McClintock)

This girl fearlessly jumps into the water time and time again. She does amazing belly flops and they never hurt her.

Goof ball and swimming show off. Of' coarse, I ate it all up.

Sienna and I saying goodnight to sun. It had a long day! You can see the Flatirons in her glasses if you look close.

Today reached about 100 degrees and this warm breeze felt good!

Goodnight sun, we used every minute you were working! It was a good day!

I tried to do some yoga with them since that's now a thing. They did not want any part of that.

Xander growing confidence with the sparkler. Sienna just screamed and dropped hers in the grass. I knew at that time watering the lawn ahead of time was the right choice.

Our favorite summer time dessert! Cheers!