The favorite photos from Maine

Living in CT we now consider ourselves 'close' to Camp Leadbetter on Lobster Lake - Yup, 9 hours sure is close!!  With our family partially moved in we were able to squeeze a quick adventure up there for 5 days.  

It was a slow start in the morning as it felt impossible to get out the door - than we started our trip in the wrong direction (a true sign that we haven't live here long....) and FINALLY linked up with the ever patient and excited Wisneskis!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIDI - Thanks for being so willing to spend you BIRTHDAY in the car.  You are one wonderful person that I am thankful to have in MY life.

Here we go!

9 hours later we hit the Golden road, and who should we spot - well hello there lady moose.

With cell phone service at camp non existant (which is honestly part of the charm) you never know who you will run into when you check in.  We were hoping to link up with some of Chris's cousins Anne and Peter and their family - but instead it was just our crew - which is honestly just right.

Here they are fresh  out of the car.

We had 1 hour to move all our stuff in and set up bed and a make shift dinner before it got dark.  It was a chill night as with the kids in a cabin away from the main cabin - we laid next to them (and kinda fell asleep) on the first night.

Day 2!!  Adventure really begins and some of my favorite photos.

Lets eat that birthday cake!  29 never looked so good.

as relaxing as it looks

as Nutzo as it looks.

maybe they are tired...

both nights the moon was actually a super moon.  When we popped out to use the latrine it was VERY bright and BEAUTIFUL.  This artistic shot stage by Diane is wonderful but hardly does it justice.

The kids heard us talking about a super moon and HAD to come out - they were too cute to shoo away.

The Leadbetters joined us that day but were a bit tired after the drive and opted to hit the hay before the festivities started....  Meanwhile the Wisneski/Leadbetter crew had a gut splitting game of Catch Phrase.

Rather different than what looks like the serenity of an early morning canoe ride.

Love this photo and love this guys out there enjoying the lake - Cheers COL Leadbetter

a mission down the river with lots of fishing pools and even more beer.

Here they go!

With the craziess gone for a bit - Diane and I squeezed in some Body Flow on the beach - am-a-zing (we did have the little dudes, so not total serenity - but close)

Another day - another hike and this time to Grandma's cabin.  On the way, we talked about the bridge being washed out and looking for trees to 'bridge the gap'  Engineer minds worked together for a bit of a bridge.  Chris ALWAYS gets in the water and assumes the rest of us want to as well.  This time there was an option created by Wayne and I

Here are the engineers of nature - the beavers of Grandma's Camp

A little photo opt with the Lobster Lake Crew 2014 - we were so excited Liz and Tam finally joined us!!  (its actually Wyn and Seb in the photo (not Liz and Tam)

In order to get a smiling photo - you have to promise them a goofy photo - I get Eve the prize!!

Love this family

This one is a keeper too

Liz and Tam were slaving away with the most wonderful ribs and I felt bad pulling them away for a photo opt.  Vowed to catch them the next day.

I gotta admit - I wanted to give Drew one more summer with my folks (and not in Maine)  yes, he was potty trained and not sleeping in a crib - However Chris wanted to go there as a family....  I am giving him a smooch there - but it wasn't a totally smooochy time.  I may have been right on that one...

The whole crew together on our last night.

Drew's big opportunity to ring the dinner bell

another SUPER moon.

Nick's constant companion

Wednesday morning and the Wisneski's were prepped for an early departure.  WE wanted to linger and enjoy the morning with the fam.  Here is the cousin photo from 2014.

And all the Leadbetters.  It was wonderful catching up for a few days as well as making plans for the next few days when life resumes as normal.

Hugs all around!

And the closest we have ever gotten to a Moose - I love this photo!

A great year in the books for Lobster Lake

Miles between friends.

I am forever thankful for the miles that DO NOT separate friends.  In moments you can be together via phone, text, or FB, but in hours you can get in a car and lug your crew from NoVa to CT - which Megan made seem SEAMLESS.  When I first got to know Megan I learned that one of her best friends lives in AVON, CT.  One more reason why Megan is awesome - she knows great folks!!  So on Monday she got in the car with Nolan and Kallen and drove 8 hours to get to us.

Here is Drew looking out the window Monday morning after I told him Nony was in a car headed to visit us.  Patience my dear boy.  I must admit, their reunion Tuesday morning was priceless but Megan and I were so excited to see each other too there is no video tape documentation.

But we did catch a little ladies night out on Monday at Wilson's pub.  Rocking place on a Monday night.  While we enjoyed catching up and getting to know each other (for Molly and I)  Molly's husband seamlessly parented 4 kids and taught Kallen how to ride a 2 wheeler!! Megan - further evidence you need to visit more often.

Tuesday morning we found a festive lake beach in CT in hopes of Whooing our beach girl Megan to live in CT.  We were the first family to roll up.  Nolan and Drew grabbed 2 rocks to throw in the water and were instantly reprimanded by the lifeguard (and later the police officer)  no throwing rocks----it might be a long day....

We hosted a yummy family dinner that night at our house with Megan and her boys as well as Molly and her family which we genuinely enjoyed.  We are thankful for new friends, but surely Molly and I agree, the next time we link up without Megan actually present will feel a bit odd....  But love the links friends can make.

In further efforts to Whoo Megan we hosted a tremendous mussel bake on Wednesday night

See all those pots boiling??  many many pounds of mussels in them!

The biggest bonus was hosting the Griffins in our new home.  I feel they have been truly integral in our leap of faith in the career and life.  Thank you for your mentor-ship and friendship.  They are one of my folks closest friends and I am also fortunate to call them friends as well (although I still call them Mr and Mrs G - and as far as I know we are no longer 'willed' to them).  

It felt so good to host them in our HOME.  (even thought I must admit - they did all the work prepping the mussels, corn, etc...!)

Love this photo of these beautiful ladies knowing all the years and now miles between them.  Their visits are now very treasured. 

I love believing in where these 2 ladies are headed.  I hope we continue to challenge each other.

and now to the kids - dog door or kid door, whatever.

Kid table!! (notice the lack of mussels - hmm wonder why?)

Yup, that's why!!  Chris LOVED them all and was HAPPY to 'dig in'

After his time at the kid table Nick asked if he could join us at the Adult table - sure buddy!

Funniest photo of the night - Nolan riding the smallest skateboard ever.

Gotta give the kid credit for trying

Hmmm - whats in there??  Is it another Shane QT?

Onto another great Leadbetter/Wilt day at the Carlson's - first question we must ask, who's head is bigger than this flower....

I agree Nolan - Shane wins - now do you 2 need a beer??

We had great night together of just enjoying each other's company and starting to believe Megan was really moving across the street.  

However Friday morning reality struck and they had to head home to VA while we packed for Maine.  We pulled out our calendars and made plans to do this again - I truly loved the wonderful easy life of having such wonderful friends in our home.  I never wanted them to leave.  I am excited to watch Megan grow through her pre-school Hearts and Minds - This year as she is starting her own LLC and giving her nurturing gift to 12 little ones for 4 days a week.  I wish Drew was spending his mornings with her talents, warmth and heart.  Thankfully they will always be in our hearts!

Date Night

 Living so close to my folks you would think date night means they are babysitting!! 

Wrong - well at least not tonight - During our move in a sweet 21 year old college girl introduced herself.  It took me 5 seconds to write down her cell # and file it away.  Thank you Farrah for teaching me to out- source!!

So my folks, Christopher and I got to enjoy a wonderful business dinner out as we got to meet one of my father's most treasured business relationships.

And she likes lobster too - I think I am gonna like her!

It was such a wonderful kidless classy evening at an Italian Restaurant in Hartford.  

Wine, Lobster, Processo.  

I am so proud of the business that my father built with my mom's support, I am proud of the relationship and mentor ship my husband will have as well as his desire to make life better for himself and his family.  After meeting Greg and Ginni - I am excited for the folks we get to work along side.

I am truly thankful for this adventure.  

It really just feels good.

Anything out of place?

Argh - one of the things that is SO frustrating but funny while you move - Things get put somewhere as you are feverishly emptying a box and weeks later you realize they are still there!!  Notice anything unnecessary in the living room??

Unless I am really doing some HOME cooking - no need to have the flour in there right??

How about this photo?  Honestly its amazing we can find the tools half the time - they just blend in with the decor!

Are we getting settled?

Yup - step by step rooms are taking shape - Here is Drew's room for one!  I love how the animal prints have been up in TX, VA and now CT - who knew they would last so long - (not to mention, 2 hot years in the Texas attic!!)

Boxes ready for another home!!

Are exploring our area and were super excited to figure out how close we are to the Farmington River - The boys LOVE tossing rocks into the river.

And a little nature pee

Lets make it work

We were able to spend the night with Aunt Stosh and enjoy life with them.  Its a busy dinner table with 6 kids and 2 moms!  My sister plays traditional Italian music through Pandora to help 'lighten' the dinner stress. 

BRILLIANT!  

I plan to continue that tradition!!

The next day was RAINY - but a picnic in honor of 'First Responders'  Stosh's good friend Jamie is a Veterinary Doctor and often cares for the Police dogs - My sister thought Nick would enjoy it - YUP

Sponge Bob made an odd appearance.

Ah, the police dogs - can you see Nick brought his police dog along too?

Too stinkin cute.

a little HUMMVEE action too

I gotta say, IT POURED almost the hole time we were there.  The kids wore trash bags (all we had in the car) as ponchos. 

During significant downpours we ran for shelter - but we were able to see the police dogs sniff out their trained substances.  The kids didn't mind the rain too much - but here is proof there was A LOT!

Thanks Stosh for your ability to just roll with it =) It was a great weekend with you - rain or shine!

Who loves Tom Brady?

Nick does!!

My sister sent us the Patriots training schedule a few weeks back.  We stuck it on the calendar for last Saturday the 26 of July hoping we would feel settled enough to pack bags for an over night.  Turns out Saturday morning we headed north to MA for training camp while Chris and his sister Liz headed south to MD for Wyland's 40th birthday party.  Lots of traveling in different directions!

In the meantime - lets go find Tom

Nick loved 'taking in' everything Patriots.  But he would admit - he was a little shocked at how many OTHER folks also love Tom Brady.

Training camp here we come.

Shane and I got a few extra shout outs from Tom's Alma Mater 

Nick was the first one to pick out Tom in the Red Jersey

Practice is over and now Tom is out autographing.  I took Nick and Shane in an effort to get a bit closer.

I had Shane on my shoulders when I took this photo - Can you 'see' the #12 - I am crushed I didn't get his good looking face!!  Fresh off of practice.

Now time to make the kiddos train a bit - in the inflatable obstacle course crew!

Toss the regulation sized football into the dounut hole?!  No problem says Nick - guess what - he does it on the FIRST try.  Everyone was shocked, Patriots, you watching??

A little face painting to finish off the perfect day

Shane too - Stosh's girls got butterflies or something along the girly girl line.  The boys were shocked!!  Ha!

At about 4:30 Saturday afternoon, Liz and Chris arrived at the party.  Love this photo of them all together!