Hot. So Hot. But nothing can stop us.

There were some seriously hot days this past month!  Like...Texas hot!  One of the hottest nights was spent at my parents house.  We were there to set up our tents so that I could spray them with tick repellent...  My parent's yard was just what we needed to open up our HUGE Kodiak.  The timing was perfect because Uncle Bill and Aunt Melcie were in town and were able to meet us for dinner.  So nice to see them on their short visit from Florida. 
The kids and I enjoyed a visit to a local Audobahn.  I had forgotten how marvelous they are with trails and educational centers.  Fiona and Ethan each used my phone to grab some beautiful outdoor pictures. 
The highlight to the end of the month was the Seadogs Game!  My sister and parents had purchased a special game package for Ethan for his birthday...which included throwing out the first pitch!!!!  He was on the big screen and everything.  Gammy was able to stay the night of the game, which was a special treat!  Plus, it was a fireworks night at the stadium!!!!!  The following day we all headed to Mackworth island for a short hike and some rock skipping.  Gammy and Ethan were pretty good skippers!
And lets not forget the epic 5K!!!  ALL four of us ran it.  Yeah...that means me.  My first road race in my life.  Scott ran for time.  He came in 65th out of literally thousands.  Fiona was next, then uncle Al, Ethan...and finally me.  My goal was to not walk a single step...and I DID IT!!!  I was so thrilled when it was all over (did I mention it was 90 degrees?). My parents came to cheer us all on, which was awesome!  They came back to Uncle Al's for a little visit with Aunt Ann, Uncle John, and Aunt Ann Chambers.  Then Mom and Dad headed home and the rest of us went for ice cream on Plum Island.  What a lovely tradition.
That same week Fiona had her first "First Friday" in downtown Portland.  It is an opportunity for any and all artists and crafts people to set up for FREE on the sidewalks and sell their wares.  She did amazingly well.  I am so proud.
Speaking of proud, the very next day she and Scott headed into the woods backpacking and sleeping out in the wilderness.  They planned well ahead, and were comfortable with only what they could carry on their backs.  Ethan and I enjoyed a super delicious dinner out at one of our favorite restaurants, a late night watching a movie, and time with his friends.

I think it had been about a year since I saw him.

Can you tell he's my favorite?

"Get in here Aunt Melcie!"

So, this is what you do when it's 103 degrees.

Both kids have a mean shot.  They were hitting cans they had set up on the hill.

PSYCHO!  It was 103!  Still had to do his "hour of power".

Climbing muscles are getting serious.

Working together to figure out a climb.

Turkey selfie at Audobahn.

No filter on this shot.  The colors were hyper that day.

All from our little garden!

Best game ever!

Ethan instructing Gammy about baseball.

The weather was perfect.

Having a rock skipping contest.

Yes.  Even Theo came along for the hike.

Here is the "before" picture.

"After"

She made it all herself.  From the jewelry to the displays!

These are one of the hair accessories.  LOVE IT!

On their way to pack the truck!

At the trail head.

She was in control of the fire.

Can you see the trail they climbed?  

They hiked a total of 12 miles along a few peaks.

We managed to put down at least 12 dumplings and potstickers.