Some Like it Hot

Some people do indeed, like it hot.  I would not be grouped with those people!  I tend to melt and pant when the temps are at their yearly high.  In addition to the sweltering weather, sometimes things get a bit rough at our home in the summer months.  The last couple have not been smooth sailing at all, so we tried to really stay busy as much as possible.  While This is the Place hasn't been the kids all time fav activity, it has helped with this goal.  We also planned a little getaway as soon as Dave's fiscal year at ADP wrapped up.  We hopped in the car 

and set out for Yosemite and Lake Tahoe! Our kids have reached the prime age for driving trips.  It also helps that technology keeps them busy for hours...or as long as they are charged! We drove near to Yosemite the first day and then got up and hit the park.

Yosemite was gorgeous and crowded.  It is a pretty congested canyon and valley-but we could see why.  The hikes were breathtaking.  We are so blessed to have such an incredible world!!  Harrison did pretty well but hit a definite wall where he started to break down.  As soon as we sat on the shuttle that takes you throughout Yosemite, he zonked out.  I finished up the last hike with the kids while Dave held him on a bench.  

Getting to the park had been tricky because we had a small window of when a certain mountain pass was open.  We got in line with a bunch of other travelers in their vehicles and made it through.  The ranger came up to each car to let us know there would be no stopping.  If anyone stopped, it would be an automatic $500 fine.  We thought we would be perfectly fine, everyone had a potty break, it was only 45 min, we would make it, right?  Well, of course not.  This little turkey

announced he had to go pee a good 15 min in.  I asked him to hold it but there was no way that 5 year old's bladder could.  So, i found myself holding an empty water bottle so he could relieve himself in there!  UGH!!!  He thought it was hilarious when we hit a bump and he splashed out for a second on my hand.  Gross.  I went to twist the lid on to make sure that didn't happen again, but of course, we had picked the one water bottle that had been chewed on and the opening was misshapen- no lid would fit!!  I held that bottle of urine till we could stop the car while everyone was laughing and hoping to hit a bump!!

Leaving the park was much more smooth, but we did leave in the evening and it was dark, so that wasn't the most brilliant idea through the canyons to Lake Tahoe.  When we woke the next morning, we were so excited to see this beautiful sight.  

The lake was a record cold temps, so we weren't planning on getting in much.  When we went to the shore, however, the frigid water didn't stop our kids from "wading" in.  They got pretty soaked.  The best part of the day was renting bikes and biking along the lakeside.  We all loved it and since Harrison still refuses to learn how to ride a bike, he sat in a little trailer and was pulled like a toddler, so he too enjoyed it!

We took a scenic hike that hovers over the highway and has spectacular views...

The beloved turquoise thermoflask was left at the top and that was quite a tragic event for one child pictured above, but we all decided we wouldn't be trekking back up to retrieve it.  So, sorry Lake Tahoe for not taking care of our belongings and 'leaving a trace.' 

The kids swam a bunch and had a great time at the resort. Here is Grant, Katelee and Harrison playing chicken.  I'm not sure if their tower got higher than 3 kids, hopefully it didn't.

We even participated in a Latin Dance class session there and an Amazing Race.  We shockingly were not the winners of the Amazing Race, despite what big fans we are of the actual tv show!  But, in our defense, the winners only had 2 players and we had to haul all 6 of us to each challenge.  

Tahoe (and Yosemite) was just what we needed.  We had a great time and really loved getting to see places we had never been before.  We let the kids get out and run across the salt flats on the way home.  It was cool and strange!

We came home from our trip in time for the Fourth of July because we just love celebrating it here!  While we were away, Russell and Lisa and their girls arrived into town, so they were at our house waiting for us when we got back.  It was so fun to visit with them! 

The firework show was a cold one this year.  We had to wait out quite a bit of rain for the first couple hours and found ourselves sitting in the car til it cleared up. 

But, the sun did come out!

We got some games in, some rides, some treats and fun!

We love this holiday, getting spend it with family and we love the USA!

The next week my sisters and I went out to see Huge Jackman.  

Yes, I spelled it HUGE, because that's what we call him.  He's that big.  It was a good night fo sho.

Katelee spent two weeks working her tail off at theatre boot camp.  She was so great in all her scenes.  We especially loved her in Xanadu.  Next time she should do it on roller skates, though.

We had a movie day seeing Toy Story 4...I maybe cried.  

We went to the float preview and had a great time with family getting balloons, face paint and going to see Lion King after.

We were especially happy to see Caleb and have him grace us with his presence.  

Most of Harrison's days start out with him asking Siri what the MLB scores are.  The other day he asked me if he could ask Siri a score.  When I told him no, he picked up my cell and said, "I heard yes."  He prints out logos and had me safety pin them to a shirt...that is not a real Braves shirt.  He is so MLB obsessed, our neighbors have even helped him start a baseball card collection.

 Everyday pretty much includes this...

He will smack the ball with the bat and yell, "That's what I call hitting."  And of course, every hit somehow results in a home run.  It is a perfect way to spend the warm evenings...but I'm not going to lie, hours and hours of pitching does tend to get old.  I would never make it in the major league!  ha!