August with the Hatch Family

August is always our annual Month-O-Hatch's. We definitely look forward to it and try to make sure everyone has a good time. For example, Burke and I tried to take the girls up Grove Creek Canyon for a hike.  It went like this:
Step 1: Left late in the blazing heat.
Step 2: Kate and Kiki drank 80% of the water I brought in the first half mile of the hike.
Step 3: Whining commenced.
Step 4: Whining ceased but only so that crying could start.
Step 5: Dog laid down and refused to go any further.
Step 6: Turn around and went home.
Step 7: Pose happily for a picture like nothing ever went wrong.

This is why I don't believe pictures are a real reflection of anyone's life...because literally SECONDS before this picture was taken they were both in tears. 

Uncle Burke showed his mental AND physical stamina throughout the whole saga.  He was the only one who didn't cry. 

Our Baby Boeuf turned one year old!

The girls made him special "pupcakes" that were safe for him to eat.

 

Burke and LaBoeuf share a birthday- unfortunately for Burke.  Hopefully he didn't feel like he was playing second fiddle all day.

Burke got some awesome presents...

...and Boeufy got some awesome presents.

Boeufy had ruined his presents 5 minutes later, but I have it on good authority that the cheetah had it coming.

My 9-month old nephew Preston was enjoying little tastes of Burke's birthday cake so much we decided he deserved his very own slice.  I think the pictures speak for themselves.

In the midst of the visit, the girls started back to school.

The day before school started the girls had an open house to meet their teachers.  It began at 3:30.  This is Mags at 8 in the morning- 100% ready to go.  She was so excited. 

The preparation continued- they laid out everything they needed the night before.  

Unfortunately, this habit lasted two days before we were back to early morning chaos.

OFFICIAL FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL PORTRAITS:

"My backpack is so big it looks like there is an elephant in it."
Welcome to first grade, kid.
I just barely noticed that she has a Doberman growing out of her stomach.

Kate is a "big" kid now- fourth grade.

Cute neighbor kids on their walk to school.

 

Missing them already.
We both were, to be perfectly honest.

Papa Doug let Tiffany and I come raid his yard for fruit.

We were thrilled to go home with apples, peaches, and nectarines. 

Do you think a shirtless baby eating a peach is the cutest thing you have ever seen?

It isn't.

I'll see your shirtless peach-eating baby and raise you a fluffy puppy.

Hudson proved to be an able picker.

Tiffany and I spent her vacation canning applesauce, peaches, pears, and tomatoes.  She went home exhausted but ready for the apocalypse. 

 

Bruce and his brother Mark raced in a half-Ironman.

It consisted of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride, and a 13.1 mile run.

Mark and his two cheerleaders.

Bruce and HIS two cheerleaders plus a haggard looking strange woman that we don't actually know.

Bruce's dad was riveted by all of the action.

Mark finished in 4:57- it was a PR and I think he was pretty excited about it.

He didn't look so good, but it was only a temporary condition.

Bruce finished in just under 6 hours.  He said he was happy to cross it off his bucket list on Saturday, but by Sunday was strategizing about how he could shave a little time off the next time around.

Burke is a nice uncle to kids AND dogs.

But maybe Dobermans don't make nice nephews.

Ruth, me, and Tiffany in our natural habitat.

Ruth sent us a sewing machine and came prepared to give the girls sewing lessons.

They made a skirt and a pillowcase.

"Grandma, you better move your fingers."

All in all, we had a great visit.  There was lots of food and fun, and I hope a good time was had by all.