Back to School!

Its that day - the one that I wonder, will it ever come, and than yes, yes it does.  That sweet first day of school.  Filled with new binders, fresh pencils (too many in my book) new shoes, lunches packed and a new routine.  They are headed outside of the house to learn from some amazing teachers and be part of a class.  

I present you, Nick, Shane and Drew!

First bus an still solo in him adventure at CIS

All these kiddos are 4-6th grade and this is the closest they will ever stand together.  Going forward the girls will be on one side and the boys (so thankful we have Benecio!) on the other!

Here goes round 2 - Shane is the oldest grade at CBPS - and YES, I remember when he was in kindergarten!

We seem to have made the bus stop numbers wain in our favor!

Back together again!

We get back from Maine and guess who meets us at our house!?!?! 

Yes, Farrah was able to squeeze in one last hurrah before school starts again. 

Liz was able to stay with us after Maine so our house was busting at the seams with some of the greatest kids and sister wives!!  I thank them all for being so very helpful and accommodating as its REALLY just about being together.  Can you believe on the way back I got word our trampoline had a hole in it?!?!  EEK?  Our neighbor was so sweet and replaced it although I felt bad  - but what else would we do with 7 kiddos right?!?!

Now for the time together!

Who's is who's?!?!

Adore this full table!

Concert night - my favorite!

And moments like these!

Farrah absolutely rocks at the little things - like seeing these candies at the outlet and bringing our childhood to our kids.

Love how Macy was working to help Drew with the hair brushing horror.  Hello wet brush, here we come!

Training for the Lobster look 5K in muggy rainy weather - sounds like a great idea.

Neighbors and coordinators in outfits.

How about after that, we completely escape to a winery!!  How the heck did we make that happen ladies?!?!  I don't know but it was awesome.  Thank you ladies - this time with you AND our kids is great.  Even if the guy at the winery had 4 sons and sadly not interested in selling it to Farrah and Brian in their retirement.

Can you find the wine glasses?

Sadly Liz had to fly back to Texas - BOO - but honestly a wonderful trip.  I hope she always finds the value in all the effort it takes to get out here for a few week.  I know its not easy, but boy did we love how everyday wonderful it felt.

Now to have Farrah's closest friend growing up be able to come join us for the day.  A nice hot day and this photo says, our kids really will play with just about anything.  To include a kid pool.

And chickens of course.

Chicken so relaxed she is laying on her back!

Just chilling on the deck enjoying a bud light and discussing our next friendship group.  Love how farrah is always looking to deepen relationships and continue to link the value of our beings.

meanwhile - at an ice cream shop nearby =)

Delicious!

How about the grand finale - and THIS is where I remember Farrah was battling some AWEFUL form of poison sumac, ivy, something gross.  Something she put up with WAY too long and it was this morning (conveniently- ha!) that she FINALLY had enough and went to a clinic.

In my opinion, the most adorable photo

Lets go rock the 5K crew.  Who do you have your chips on?!?!

O.k., that was too easy right??

With all the times Farrah has visited us, what could we do that we haven't already done?!?!  How about THIS.  Photo here is entitled, Where is Brian??

Yes, they will ALL fit

We will be right back

Lets do this!

I gotta end this with a few photos taken by Nick and Tate on their last morning.

As with all my visits with Farrah, after our initial 20 minute download, it feels like we are together everyday and wish it was just every day.  Thank you for making the trek.  Thank you for making it seem simple, or for making it simple and making it possible and making it a priority and for that I love you!  This last little taste of summer and why we love it.

Maine here we come

Tis that time of year when we pack the car to the BRIM and hit the road.  We ALWAYS wish is was just a tad closer, but 9,5 hours later, we normally make it.  I do love how colorful our car is - 

We stopped at the brewery to feel up on the way there - impressed by al the solar panels!

See Rebecca over there - this is her inaugural visit!  Meaning its the first and surely not the last visit for them.  Liz is an expert at the whole camp thing.  She flew into ME and met us there ready to head north.

Kids are ready to be kids - 

In Maine, this look is normal.

Capturing the Briggs car and Moose head lake at the same time

The view from the Briggs car as we hit the dirt road.  Commence beer and chip eating!

This is what we came for - beach time relaxing and kids playing

And digging to China of course

I can only imagine Frankie is singing to his momma while he takes her on this boat ride for 2

Bog Boots paired with bathing suit always a wise fashion choice!

Check out this full table - we overlapped a few days with Chris's cousin Annie and her family Efrim Emmet and Kevin.  Sometimes when you are serving such a big group, 4 more isn't that big of a deal.  I think they really enjoyed the additional folks too.

I was getting swarmed by mosquitos taking this photo

The hike up Lobster mountain.

Man Photo

Pretty impressive crew.

Totally want to remember these 2 chatting on their way down.

the best place to get away from the bugs!

Roxy snagged a nap when she could - huge hit spending time with her after just losing Pauli.

Boys and Frogs

Ashley's birthday and Rebecca orchestrated an AMAZING race across the beach for her

Fire was part of the challenge of course.

Here is team 2's progress.

Blazing!

Birthday dinner time - 

the cake was DELICIOUS!  a briggs family favorite!

Adorable to see frankie give his sister this gift as HE couldn't want to play with it!

Roxy got plenty of attention and snuggles - but look at that Drew hair!  Adores!

Breakfast morning kid table

Sometimes you fish, sometimes you nap

sometimes you pick a TON of blueberries

Sometimes you wish someone would just row the boat.

or join you in the hammock

we had the WOD this morning and were now chilling on the beach as it was Rebecca and Asa's last day.  We love their desire for adventure -  they inspire us every day.  Thankful to have them in our lives for this game called life - love that Liz could get to know them as well.

Some of more favorites.

Brian's game of - 'whats in YOUR panty'  that is A LOT of beans!

PBJ - its what's for lunch

Another birthday up here!!  GRANDMA!!  She is known for celebrating her birthday up at camp - wether she likes it or not.

And for her birthday - a beautiful sunset!

My husband is an amazing guy - all week, he loved taking kiddos out fishing - as long as we supplied him with enough beer, he was good to go.  rock star status!

we had the great fortune of being able to share a few days with Charlie, Alice and Emily too - they had just come from Kathryn's wedding.  IT was so enjoyable getting time with them.  I was glad I asked them to take some photos together on our last day.

Love these photos!

our leadbetter crew - see the photo bomb??

he is in there again!

Now on purpose

the 3 siblings who spent many a summer up at camp - and love it to this day.

They thankfully paired with spouses who love it almost as much.

this dog was just the sweetest - Kathryns dog and Alica and Charlie were in charge of babistting him. He is a rescue and the sweetest - Reggie - we went walking with him one day (not on a leash) as a particular scent, he turned and ran back, leaving Winslow and I by ourselves.  We opted to turn and head back too - maybe a bear??  Either way, Reggie's nose is better than mine.

So thankful Liz joined us on the ride back.  We stopped at a fabulous lester shack in Free port.  BYOB and all - now the final leg home to shower!

Another successful camp week in the books!