Summer time rolls......

The epic camping trip I have waited 4 years for has come and gone, and it did not disappoint!  Right back to site 1, and not even a tree had grown.  NOTHING changed.  Except the river.  No longer does the Saco run close to our old site.  During the big storms up north these past few years the course of the river changed.  It now runs on the other side of the river bed.  A pleasant journey across sun warmed river rocks.  Cullen proved to be a stellar hiking and camping dog.  He loved the fact that we brought his crate along, and thoroughly enjoyed his long and well deserved naps in its familiar coziness.  Theo was well behaved at the bird sitter he boarded with for the 10 nights we were gone.
We were able to hike to the top of two mountains, into the woods for a fresh glimpse of Arathusa Falls, enjoy a FULL day at Storyland (where fantasy lives...), play in the river, lounge around the fire, indulge in epic card games (spades), hang out with great friends (who joined us at the campground for two nights), stop by our favorite old baseball card shop ("The Shop at the Top of The Stairs"), and last but not least...spend a few hours in a good ol' New Hampshire Walmart to re-stock supplies.
I LOVE these camping trips.  I LOVE that we are all together in one tent.  I LOVE that we are completely out of touch with the world.  I LOVE that Scott does all the cooking when we are in the woods.  I LOVE that I can light a fire first thing in the morning.  I am already counting down to next year!
Oh!  Almost forgot!  We also managed to squeeze "Bounce House Day" in before the trip.  It was such a blast at Gammy and Gampy's house!  They had the perfect space for a 21 foot high water slide! 

These are a few pictures from a BBQ with Scott's old friends from college who live about an hour away from us here in Maine.

The best floats I have ever seen!

Mmmmm......

Scott took the plunge!

Me.  Cold water....

Fiona.  Too late.  You're on your way down!

Airborne Ellie!

Meagan!

Theo, out to watch.

Running free at Gammy and Gampy's.

My babies.

Took them all of two minutes to fall asleep.

See the toad?

Grouse.

Naughty Dad!  I hate when he goes out on ledges.

Cedar Wax Wing all the way up at the top.

Clear view of Mt. Washington.

Chef.  With headlamp, headband.

Manipulating the Saco at our campsite to make rapids to ride.

Ethan and Yeva take it for a test ride.

Lots of splashing.

Scott P. got into the river rock moving.

My happy place.

Who's the funny guy squirting people with the cow udders????

Polar Coaster!!!

Cullen soaking up morning tent snuggles.

Mt. Willard with friends.

Fiona, Ethan, Yeva and Zabel at the top of the mountain looking at pictures of Fiona, Ethan, Yeva and Zabel at the top of the mountain.

Arathusa Falls.

Cullen now gets Scott's hand-me-downs.

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.