Time Around the Family Table Outdoors #vendemmia

It’s that time of the year… a new school year is upon us.  I moved my daughter into her sorority house at college.  My son in High School started his Senior year and is busy with his academic and football schedule.  And my two “not so little guys” started  fifth and seventh grade.

It’s that old cliché ~ where did the time go?  One minute they were starting kindergarten and the next, they are starting college. This time of year, the craziness starts for us. It’s Back to School Time, It’s Football Time, It’s Homework Time, It’s just time!  Time, such a precious word, that we pay little attention to as it ticks away second by second.  When we really think about it, time is one of the most important gifts we can give our family.

We are a total sports family.  There is nothing more exciting than a good Football game at any level.  It is truly the highlight of our week and many times, the highlight of our year.  I have to admit, keeping up with three football games and practice schedules per week, is not an easy act to balance.  As my older two children have grown, I have become more aware of just how precious time is.  When we really think about it, we have 17 summers with our children before they leave for college.  When broken down this way, this does not seem like very much time.

This year,  the first day of School for my two younger ones was a half day.  I picked up my boys and we headed to the park for the afternoon.  They were thrilled when I pulled up with Gracie, our newly rescued Boston Terrier, and a basket full of Cuban Sandwiches, cherries, blueberries and grapes. They had been asking to try Cuban Sandwiches for a while and today was the perfect day to surprise them and take the family table outdoors.

We had so much fun discovering the park through Gracie’s nose. Literally, I think she sniffed and ran through every inch of the park. Part of the fun was figuring out what she wanted to explore next and chasing her.  As we were leaving, the boys asked me if we can do this every time they have a half day this year.

It’s so true the family table can be anywhere.  I loved bringing our Family Table outdoors!  Spending time Around the Family Table is about the memories that are made… those memories will last a lifetime.

To celebrate the changing of seasons, Merrell has gathered wine aficionados, foodies and fitness friends to share some of their favorite recipes, tastes and outside activities during Fall.  So come along, grab a glass of your favorite wine, savor the long days and join us to get outside during Vendemmia  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugTdKdGyZ2E&feature=g-upl.  I am honored to partner with Merrell and help spread their mission to get outdoors.  

Merrell wants you to take the family table outdoors with us!  Check out the new Vendemmia Fall Line Look Book  http://www.merrell.com/US/en/2012_Vendemmia_Catalog.  I am in love with their new Vendemmia Fall line.  I want you to have as much fun outdoors with your kids as I am.  Leave a comment below and tell me what you are planning on doing outdoors with your family this season for a chance to win your choice of (1) pair of adult shoes and (1) pair of children’s shoes.  You will love love love Merrell as much as me! 

And that’s not all!  You are going to want to follow Merrell and enter to win a trip for 2 to the Park City Food and Wine Classic:

• Pinterest page: https://pinterest.com/merrelloutside/
• Twitter: @merrelloutside
• Hashtag: #vendemmia
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/merrell
• Enter Contest: http://www.merrell.com/US/en/VendemmiaContest