Some Like it Hot

And in North Dakota we love it when it gets hot, especially after a brutal winter. Of course, "hot" is relative. Growing up, my mom had a hard and fast rule that it had to be 82 degrees or hotter for us to run in the sprinklers in our backyard. We've had to be a little more lenient or the boys would hardly ever get out to play in the water. The boys took swimming lessons this month and, some days, they were in the outdoor pool when the temperature was in the mid-50s. Luckily, in the North Dakota the outdoor pool, which is only open in the summer, is heated. Gotta love it!

The boys used these water blasters, ostensibly, to help water the plants.

Of course, they watered each other too.

And joust with them. I don't think any of the blasters will last the entire summer.

Jami's in our plant-watering bucket bridgade.

Tobias is a water-baby. He could play in this bucket all day.

Look at all those bare legs! I love my shorts-wearing boys.

Many a popsicle was eaten on this bench by the boys... and Daddy.

The Belfield pool where we take lessons is awesome. It has playground for the siblings who are waiting.

It's 64 degrees out and he still wants to be in the kiddie pool.

The other boys took lessons too, but none of my pictures through the chain-link fence turned out. Benjamin is waiting for his turn.

What says "summer" more than a fire-pit?

I'm pretty sure they are roasting marshmallows in there. 

Tobias ruined their perfect kindling set-up, but luckily his brothers are forgiving.