Hot Summer

 It's turned hot since we returned home. To beat the heat, we are seeking out fun. 

Ritchie Reiersen Get Together - I didn't take many photos but it included a taco truck, snow cones, bouncy houses, pool time, friends and these weird little balloon hats which Charlotte loved and Clark tolerated:)

Birthday Parties - It's not secret that Clark has a bestie and his name is Joe. So when Joe turns 8, you gotta party. And you gotta shoot Linea in the face with water if you can. 

Also since Joe's birthday part fell on Miss Char's actual birthday, you gotta celebrate her too!

Hikes - I don't how else to say it: our kids hate hiking. It's always hot. Their feet get tired. Char is terrified of every butterfly, fly, puff of wind, etc. And they are always, always, whiny. And yet...we soldier on in the hopes that one day they will like to hike with us. Oh look, one cute photo. Let's focus on the cute photo:)

Swim lessons - Lizzie Church bravely offered swim lessons and we signed up. At first, Clark was with the older group (Timmy and Bentley) and Char was with Dottie in the smaller group. But after the first lesson of full on face plants and general craziness, Lizzie moved Char up with the big kids. She can't do all the kicks and strokes but what she lacks in skill she makes up for in desire and insanity. 

Irene Reinhart - weird name for a lake but awesome place to gather with friends on a 100+ degree day. This year as a bonus, no wind!

Random river off the highway to White Pass. Yes, seriously. Being friends with Penny takes you to the weirdest places. We had to hike in for a half mile but it was worth it for a fun river to body surf down and plenty of sand to go around. Could have done without the massive all out tantrum from Char on the walk back when she discovered sand in the butt crack is not a fun thing but otherwise, lovely day. 

This. Clark asked to take a video for Matt and then worm crawled across the floor. Sure. Why not. Summer!

Madness. I think this image of our command central computer base pretty much sums up the chaos of this summer. Mom computer. Dad computer. Kid computer. One tiny stand up desk. 2,000 cords. 

Hikes! Clark and Dana decided to get to the radio tower at the top of Konnowac Pass one Saturday. Clark kept mumbling "I don't want to do this but I can do this" to himself as motivation and sure enough, they both made it up. 

Pioneer Day fun at the park. Our ward does it up right with delicious food and pioneer games that the kids actually enjoyed. Well...until Miss Char got bit by a mosquito on her eye and we had 4 days of this:( 

And lastly, this month has been the backyard. Watering plants. Putting in new trees. Eating woofums around a fire on a 100 degree night. Collecting a thousand cherry tomatoes every. single. day. This is summer.