Time to head to Maine

Here we go - 4 kids, one dog and lots of stuff thankfully already with Liz and her large car as she headed up Friday to grab Seb and than Robert

Our stopping point was a sweet brewery in Bates - Loved how it was converted and would LOVE to do something like this in the rocking town of Canton

Nora was thankful to be out of the car and while I am certain she is pretty darn smart - not sure she is ready to tackle a card game with Nick - but sweet idea.

Linked up with the Briggs here!  We spotted them on the road - while they stared before us, they have a tendency of taking a few more pee breaks than the Leadbetters ) - guessing the beer stop may not help

Proof that Nora had some room (on the trip up - the trip home was another smooched story

Things that happened at camp that we loved - PLENTY of blueberries on the point - not so many bugs (we think it could be attributed to less trees (the hammock trees by the kitchen were even removed making it time to find new hammock space!)

Eating outside was often preferred and loved capturing this crew

Breakfast is served

Seb caught a fish worth serving and Robert being the resident chef offered to slice it up.

May photos like these never get old

Adults even enjoyed breakfast outside - nice photo bomb winslow

Some favorites along the way

Somethings about those simple smiles

reluctant boating passenger

Target practice orchestrated by Asa and Chris

Coming back from our excursion, our boat was faster and we couldn't resist the opportunity to rub it in

A little grey sparkle wax for Winslow - 

The ceremonial removal of the burn toilet - thanks to the boys for the extraction - we were able to install some shelves and hooks that will hopefully be useful to all.

Somehow my callous remover was quite the water toy - never would have thought

Lets talk about a funny night - our night to cook.  Chris and Asa wanted to take the new boat down the river for some man time fly fishing.  Down the river is rather far and honestly I have given up on any desire to want to go, down the river....  So at 2;30 they left.  At 6:30 I was chilling on the hammock having prepped food when Rebecca came up saying, I think we should feed the kids - - - Good call.  She covered down on grilling the prepped shrimp while I rocked the rest of the sides.  we saw they sitting off in the distance and figured they just weren't ready to come in yet.
After the kids ate - Rebecca and I enjoyed a cocktail together commenting that the boys must be fishing enjoying the sunset.  Heck, we said it was so nice of them to at least come home so we knew they were safe if they didn't want to come in.

We took out the binoculars and could see them chilling, peeing off the boat etc...  No real distress.
More time passed.
weren't they hungry?
Geesh, maybe we should send a kid out to check.
Nick said he would go and Frankie volunteered to get in the same kayak
Yes, 2 boys, 1 kayak, out to check on the dads.
They were about 1/2 way there when the dad told them the motor died - to which the boys shouted back - WHAT?!?!  REALLY?!?!
Now WE need to mobilize!!  Liz and Robert hopped in the other older boat and went out to bring them in.

Funny story, their motor died right when the got TO the river.  Exactly - at the furthest part of their excursion.  The realized the motor died and opted to enjoy 5 minutes of fly fishing (to which they each caught a fish) and then begin the long trek home with ONE OAR!
They tried lots of things - take the boat out and walking along the river - bad idea - mosquitoes found them QUICKLY and it was slow going.
Back to paddling - switching off every 10 minutes.  At one point Asa looked back to see Chris using his shirt as a sail -
Yes, they were thankful the wind was blowing them home and not AWAY.
They shouted many times to us (which clearly we never heard nor once worried about them.
lessons learned - what is the contingency plan??

All together on the hike up Lobster - Love that the kids beat us up the hill these days.

Always a favorite - snack mix and all!

moments

Here I need to insert a video of Diving Rock - granted, we call it diving rock, its really jumping rock, no diving allowed.  We scope out the bottom before everything starts to take flight.  Love how nervous it makes us all - myself included.  Rebecca someone his a rock and busted her shin, thankfully she was the only one who made contact and it didn't stop the kiddos.  Love a bit of health fear and this cool nature adventure.

A really cool gift Aunt Liz discovered that is perfect for the Lobster lake beach.  Some great videos here too.  The kids are SO strong and tall too.  Go Dad's for making it possible.  

There involvement with the kiddos made it possible.  Lucky to have such active and involved Dads

Can you see Shane all suited up?

I really love what kids find to do when there really is nothing else to do....

Always a favorite

The Briggs caught this beauty on their way out.  Putting the perfect end to a trip their family enjoys taking.  We were honored they wanted to do a second year in Maine, Their kiddos requested it.  Love sharing this beautiful place with them as its all about the things that really are important.  Time, family and friends.  And according to the kids - Infection - they played that game for HOURS, hiding under cabins, in cabinets, behind.  The best kid game I have ever seen orchestrated.

On a rainy morning after the Briggs left, we headed out to Ray's.  I have heard plenty about it and rather excited to see what its really all about.  Souvenir sweatshirts, snacks, burgers to order, I snagged a beautiful hand made afghan, made by his 80 year old mother.  Exactly what I needed on the ride home to warm up =)!

Can you tell which one I picked?

The famous Ray's - from what I understand, it started as he lived up here, folks would stop by for snacks, propane, a warm meal - so he opened a store.  Being the sole owner for years - not really sure what is next for the store of the family.

The Kayaks and their adventures on them still continue.  This excursion went to the island and back.  Something about looking out and watching them go exploring just fills my heart.

The last night I remember Drew staying back from the fishing expedition.  We chilled, read a book and than I convinced him to take a bath in the lake.  Wait, Winslow convinced him.  I love their ability to be with each other.  She has the perfect level of authority and coolness that he often falls in line.  The both washed their hair - than Drew begged for a warm shower - to which I obliged as it was pretty chilly.  Something about the 2 of them in the water was just simply beautiful.

One final peaceful night photo

Thankful for another family year up here.  I know schedules and travel logistics are challenging.  Thankful we were all able to make this a priority.

Love how this place makes us feel, the simple games, the puzzles, the conversations, the meals.  So much of how vacation and true time away should be.

That last morning I brought back 3 of these sweet little things.  Sadly to report - none of them liked the Connecticut weather - I had high hopes.

I may have a photo of the car that was oddly loaded down.  This was me outside of the mini while the boys popped into LL Bean.  Next stop - Dinner at the Hammerseekit - traditions can be a wonderful thing.

Here's to next year