Boats boats boats

So many boating opportunities here whether it's kayaks, canoes, boats with motors, row boats-always the chance to be on top of the water.


I loved watching this boat occupy these 4 boys for an hour


While this boat served the same purpose for these 4 boys


The boats took us on a tour of the area


They were great family bonding


Hold on tight;). Although this photo was blurry I loved counting the multiple bodies on the kayaks!


See what I mean?


Love the boating photo of Tam and Seb, just imagine the father and son conversations constructed here.


Now this is a huge canoe that we equipt with a motor for the day as we toured down the river, this is a classic wood canoe that exemplifies the statement "they sure don't make them like they used to...."





If you can imagine, the boys loved every opportunity to steer the boat and thankfully grandpa was happy to obligue





Boats add so much to this photo. I took it whole standing at 'grandmas camp' with the work party going on behind me. The view really is beautiful standing here.


Barbara and I cherry picked a few kids to kayak over to grandmas camp to check on the work party.


I am so surprised for how easy a kayak is to navigate, even with a little one teetering on back


The boats took us too and from our hiking expeditions


Sometimes I just cannot get over how beautiful it all is. Even after a 4 mile hike.


This is another favorite shot. It was our last night and all the older boys headed out on a post dinner fishing trip. They brought 4 rods, a bottle of whiskey and a liter of pepsi. The rods made it back. They had some humorous tales of crossed fishing lines, but we were just thankful they all came back dry;)

Maine 'the vacation state' lobster lake 'the resort'

I realized while liscense plate scanning that Maine is the vacation state. How appropriate for us. Glad the rest of the state feels the same way. Maine does = vacation to us and here's is why. Just a side view of our cabin


Shane finally logging a mid morning nap. I was reading Lyle Lyle the crocodile and he fell asleep mid-book. I finished the book as I hadn't read it before but later left him to some quality zzzzzs. He was napping in our bed. Several of his naps there was just heavenly with the breeze blowing in off the lake. I can only imagine they were the most realizing well earned naps those legs had ever taken,


We did some unpacking into this dresser. I did receive a word of caution regarding the scent of mouse pee that tends to linger in the drawers. But knowing the clothes will be smelly at the end of the week regardless, the drawer space was appreciated.


This was nick and shanes portion of the cabin-we loved the cots we brought, one was a new toddler cot my mom discovered at Walmart and the other a cot circa 1970 from my dads army days.


Tam built their picnic table right before our arrival-perfectly timed, incredibly constructed and WELL utilized. Thank you Uncle Tam.


Lunch time with the cousins,


Here is the sight of our 'swim up bar'. It's also the same sight as the bathing area and occasional latrine.


A beautiful view of the lake from just in front of Barbara and Wyland's cabin


In this photo you can see the front of Barbara and Wyland's cabin, the boat house which has a recently added back room where there is a burn toilet and a hot shower. Further left in the photo is another cabin where Liz, Tam, Seb and Wyn are staying. And of course, also captured is Pauli girl loving every minute of vacation.


Shannon is making good use of the reading hammock beside the main camp. I'm pretty certain it was it was a favorite spot for her.


Liz managed to snag some much needed rest time as well. Its fun catching moments of relaxation while on vacation. I didn't have my camera handy but I wanted to remember seeing Liz floating in lobster lake after a quick shower. The lake was still, she was still and couldn't even hear any of the kids saying, wow, do you see Aunt Liz floating. It was the perfect vacation unwind.


This is Spaulding point and the spot of making cocktail hours, perfect with a little breeze to shoo the bugs away.


I took this photo from the point as it showed everyone embarking on their morning canoe/boat ride


Inside the main cabin is our family meal table. Fits all 8 adults and 6 kids quite well,


Here's where all the kitchen magic happens. Chris devised a week long meal plan that has each family contributing a days worth of cooking responsibilities.


One of many beautiful sunsets on the lake.


We had several c-plane landings and would like to think one day we could travel in that way (Deakon Carson-hmmmmm). So here are some inspirational photos for you;)


Saying da plane, da plane, never gets old if you are 6 and under.


When you are over 35 the sunsets don't get old either. I think they only get more magical.


I took this photo after brushing my teeth on our front porch. Every night the moon got a little brighter and every night I appreciated brushing my teeth looking right out here.


What vacation blog is complete without the pervebial feet in the sand lounging photo. Truth be told, I ran out here super quick as the boys were loading the final bags and my camera battery was screaming empty.


Everyday the area proved it's natural beauty in countless ways. We are lucky to have such an untouched spot in our family.

Leadbetter family vacation

Oh how I love vacation days. Sometimes they seem to just run together, wake up, breakfast, play on the beach, take the boat out, hike, fish, small projects, lunch, dinner, bed for kids, chatting for adults and bed for all. Everyday was beautiful, ever night was filled with a glorious moon. Instead of capturing each day I wanted to highlight the main things. In might not be in sequence but a fun way for me to remember. The feeling of being in Maine was just relaxing. We were off the grid for a week and sometimes it's just needed.

The pilgrimage to lobster lake

The adventure started Wednesday night as Wyland, Shannon, Wyland and Robbie joined us at camp Carlson for an afternoon of swimming golfing and catching up. Their trip log began at Cherry point, NC and we were happy to be the second welcomed break in the drive. Chris flew in at 7:45 pm that night, thankfully logging an earlier than planned flight (11:15 pm original arrival) his help is consistently invaluable.

This was a quick photo of the boys fascination with Oma sue's fish


The next morning was an early 5:15 wake up. Drews desire to wake up with us helped to solidify our decision to let him enjoy the week with my parents instead of roughing it baby style in Maine, Wyland and Chris orchestrated an amazing on time departure with minis packed, kids and wives showered and excited by 6:50 AM. Here's a photo hoping that we didn't forget anything.


Now here's a great photo of Shannon living the mini van dream. Although I'm not certain she has full appreciation as her and I had the drive together, the hubbies and 4 boys rode together (Duelley vacation style). But having 9 hours of sister-in-law time was a fabulous retreat;)


The boys did great, all of them really... We did drive along Albany ave in downtown Hartford, but at the 7am hour it's threat level was low.... The cell communication was fine considering, here was a photo of our final stop in Greenville. I like this photo as it can be an 8 hour ride in the var to return cousins to fast friends, I hope it's always that simple;)



2:45 we enter the dirt road trek to lobster lake. Cell communication is off, dirt road map reading in on. Dust is flying, but we spotted this moose, can u see him? There were a few points during the 2 hour dirt road trek that the boys in the front questioned their direction capabilities. They confirmed the location of the 'golden road' with fellow Mainor who was driving by and with confidence restored.


Hmmmm. Proceed or turn around? With 4 boys in the car it was fun to watch this operation for a bit, than recalculate.


Finally at 4:45 we arrive at lobster lake. Aka Leadbetter camp. Just seeing the lake made us appreciate the journey.








Let the unpacking begin.


We were happy to be reunited with Barbara & Wyland, Pauli as well as Liz, Tam, Seb and wyn.


The boys were happy to strip off and hop in the water.


The beginning of a fabulous family vacation

An afternoon with Alison

Alison and I were able to carve out a long morning/afternoon together on tuesday. She is my high school best friend. It's fun remembering the years cheerleading together, trying to get through Latin, and enduring high school with minimal damage. It's fun reflecting on how far we have come.


After a great morning nap, drew was his smiley self and won the hearts of Alison and her sweet girls


Paige got a little drew time


Peyton did too


I cannot believe we got all the kids in the same vicinity for a cute shot.


I love these days reconnecting and seeing how far we have all come. The days stressing about high school homecoming might be years in the past, but spending the day with Alison. we now have 5 kids between us, a few college degrees and some moves here and there-but something about it is still kinda the same.