So we are doing this thing.....

Asa mentioned it was quite the game and we had to take a look at it.  Stepping inside made us feel like we were back at Lobster Lake.  Rustic cabin with really everything you need.  Lake included. 

screened in porch

Patio

Attic space to be turned into orphage

3 other bedrooms (2 of which are king beds)  This one has the stairway to the attic

One of the 2 bedrooms

Where we hope to spend much of our time.

something about it all just feels so good

Best part is this family that we get to do this with.  We often get to spend time with them over the winter during our ski vacations.  but summers are hard with so many schedules.  Imagine if we had a lake house, we all just came to together.  Not only a lake house for us, but a lake house with one of the most special families to our family. from High school to our boys groin up doing summer camps together

1000 cheers to the Maybetters new place of fun and serenity. #bassrock!

 

Soaking the final summer days

The Bemis's asked us to take care of their landscaping while they were away at the cape for 2 weeks and using the pool is completely in the agreement!  Yes please!  With all this rain we have been getting, we sadly didn't have to go over too much.  But here is the first night with my little buddy.  The next night we brought the Canny's and really turned it up!

I got to join my mom in one of her knee doctor follow ups.  LOVED seeing the difference.  I can only imagine feeling the difference.  The Doctor was so positive and so impressed with my mom's progress.  He set some pretty lofty goals for her next visit too.

Next up date night with this handsome man!

My sister and a few kiddos came back down to check on my mom.  We managed to get some mini put in.  Teens vs. tweens.  We won!

A popular book among Ashley and Nick that I read a bit of.

While they might be looking at a device or 2, this is still a great photo

Almost as good as this one.  He looks 5 years younger here.  Maybe its the frog.

Here I am with my best care taker going in for bladder surgery.  I opted to do the surgery over the summer thinking my family would be around to take care of me.  No need to have them at school for peace and quite right?

Lets be honest, who was really the best care takers?  These 2!!  Wendy was thrilled to have me couch bound.

First night home, Chris headed to N. Attleborro to stay with my sister because he had a job meeting up there.  Nick was out with Ashley and the boys were, gosh, I don't know.... But who was laying with me to make sure I was cared for.  The dog is the most loyal being.  Love you Nora!

A few days later and a rainy afternoon we opted to try the new go cart place.  

Summer Patty is the best!  Always up for something!

Super cool, rather fast, just wish it was electric instead of gasoline.

3rd Place to Drew!!

Here's how the rest stacked up.  Perfect post surgery activity.

Next up a little ladies night on the lake thanks to Rebecca.

Can anyone take any guesses what is happening here?  I can't either!

as part of my recovery, I took Drew fishing - another perfect activity - especially since he seems to take care of it all!  loved our little spot along the river.

Best catch yet!

Next up - Loster fest in Canton - we have officially now purchased a lobster meal there!  Next up to tear up the dance floor - I even made a new 90 year old friend out there.

Summer bouquets are the best.

Back to work I go, the boys are working at the tubbing place and Drew is looking for entertainment.  So, I took him to Stratton brook for the morning.  He didn't believe me there were fish in the water....  I said, if there are fish, you will find them.  No surprise here.

Movie night at the Canny's - whats on the big screen?!?!  JAWS!

Yes to Shane on the Lobster Loop!  Drew and Chris ran too (Chris using Nick's registration which I am not sure how Nick felt about his time._

After the loop, I went to the ER - fun right?  After the bladder surgery, these cysts must have moved to uncomfortable waters.  They were about 4-5cm each and really painful.  This CT scan was super cool to see.  We scheduled surgery and hoped the cysts would find a better location to hang out in the meantime.

With all that going on, we stumbled upon this gem.

 

Kids to Long Island

This crew convinced us they should head down to visit Rebecca's folks down in Long Island for a few days.  Beach lounging, crab catching, mini putting, Concert going and star gazing, all the summer things!  They seemed quite responsible about it all too.  Ashley was driving and Nick was shot gun doing all the navi - he has to boot Frankie out of that position.

And we are what remains.

Loved getting photos and snaps along the way.  Tried to save them where I could.

Loved thinking of them living the summer life.

Frog prince fish princess?

Same same.....

And that is where my photos end... but the kids had a pretty epic time.  

Now as this blog gets older and older, the subject matter seems to change a bit.  The mission of this blog was to help remember our beautiful life.  Maybe one day the kids will look back on it?  Well, this weekend Nick somehow weaved in there that he likes Ashley more than a friend.  I can only imagine the nerves in that one statement.  As it turns out, he wasn't alone in those feelings.  Now these 2 go from being buddy buddy to being a bit of an item.  Just like that.  When they rolled to our house to drop off Shane and Nick, Chris's comment (without knowing the back story) was why is everyone so smiley??   It took a few days for the brothers to put 2 and 2 together.  Shane acted pretty non-chilant about it.  Frankie was the most expressive about it all and it took a few weeks for Drew to catch on. 

There is something about how happy these 2 are together than absolutely warms the heart.  With the chaos of summer Rebecca and I didn't get to talk about it until a few days later when we went to the lake house for dessert and to celebrate Ashley's birthday (which, yes, these gifts now took on a bit of a different emphasis.  I was thrilled to get some input!!)

 

Local hike and back on the bike circuit tour of Litchfield Hills

Home and unpacked with a 1/2-day Friday afternoon.  Apparently, we are already missing the nature of Maine and needed to reclaim it with this hike of a newly developed Canton Land trust trail. 

Loved the big rock structures, Nick kept commenting what it would be like to ski this trail.

Something about this bridge was just beautiful and fitting.

Dogs were happy to be in the water, Drew and James were chasing crawfish and the other 2 were contemplating life.

Pretty sure this was a house The trail is named for the 17th Century Native American also known as Cherry, for whom Cherry Brook is named.  the land was donated by several other canton families - the cabin on it looked like somewhere I would love to live.  Just needs a bit more sun.

Boys finding sticks, making hiking fun since the beginning of time.

On Sunday Chris and I got our biking legs back together and hit the road for the Litchfield ride.  It was the 20-year anniversary of the ride.  A gentleman Colin volunteered at the ride for 15+ of those 20 years.  He also passed away this summer of cancer.  He was WAY too young.  Translation, he has a son who is 1 year old.  Crushing.  I feel bless to have known Colin.  He came to my body pump class with his new wife Kari.  They were adorable and all about living life.  He would come say hi, talk about his adventures, taking up snowboarding and just living life.  He touched countless people and will say his touched my life too.  I thank him for the motivation to ride today.  And of course, Chris.

It was a BEAUTIFUL day and beautiful ride (last year it was ridiculously HOT so we were told countless times) It was a blast!  I forgot how fun it was to work to catch the next person, talk to them a bit and head on to the next group.  The scenery was amazing and bikers and just so unique.  Loved doing this with Chris.  Of course, I ended with a flat tire and no spare since I rode my favorite old triathlon bike.  I walked to the rest station and waited for Chris to rescue me.  Met lots of folks who said great things about Michigan - pays to wear a good jersey!