With all the craziness of the move, I have put off writing this lovely post. I know that I cannot do it justice. I know that my memories of the trip will be far better than any word/picture combo could ever tell. And while that is always true, with the boxes and chaos surrounding us here, I know I won't be able to take the time.... the time to really tell you how lovely Maine really was.
Even with the cancelled flights and added on 8 hour car rides.
Even with the snafus.
It was lovely and fun and memorable.
And a trip of a lifetime for our family.
My 3 college roommates and I, along with her families, headed to Maine in August.
The location was spectacular.
The laughter infectious.
The memories are forever.
I'm so thankful for that.
And for a family that rarely leaves the house, taking a trip across the country was a big feat.
Why start small?
After a 3am wake up call (thank you, United, for moving our flight back 2 hours), we made it to LAX (hell on earth) while it was still dark. The kids were giddy. No sleeping en route as I'd hoped.
First flight! Seat belts fastened!
Thank God the Kindle was charged. United failed us on the outbound with no in seat entertainment (we looooved 5 hours of Disney Junior on the way home, however!)
All of the excitement caught up a few hours later...
And after a lay-over, my boy was a seasoned traveler, wanting to do it all himself (Abby was a pro, too).
And after all of that, we had to drive for 2.5 hours in the car. Sheesh! He hung in there for awhile....
And soon he crashed...
But this lady was pretty happy the whole way (and she was wearing pants, people! Pants! AND tennis shoes!)
Soon enough, we were there.
So, here's the driveway. The driveway, people.
Ridiculous, right? And did I mention that the sweet Zabriskies hosted us. Yes, hosted us. We stayed in this heavenly place for free because it's "in the family." Don't you wish you were "in the family?" Me too...
The first morning was bubbles on the porch and a short walk to the water...
A little coffee.... and the most gorgeous morning we've ever seen.
And Daddy took an ice bath...
Abbs and Aunt Jenny...
The littles, finding more shells than they can take home...
Another day down by the water....(all on the property!)
Some afternoons just called for mac and cheese on the porch surrounded by buddies...
Or art on that same porch...(when it rained).
Campbell (the eldest) with the littles.
She cared for Abby and Ford the entire time. We owe her lots of babysitting money for giving us some moment of solace.
Typical morning chaos. I loved this.
Ford getting some afternoon reading time with someone other than mommy...
And every family took a night took cook (which included themes!) -- yes, it was much like a cruise ship.
There were mustaches....
There were sombreros...
There were mustaches with sombreros...
There was hair chalk...
Mickey Mouse called the upstairs phone...
There was a talent show...
There was seaweed finding...
Three of the four of us...
Impromptu hand-holding...
And there was one, and only one moment of screen time in which the kids sat themselves by age and size without being asked to.
And one day we got all Martha Stewart (according to her magazine, she was there a few days before us) and ate at the Acadia National Forest (which you can see from our property across the water) at Jordan Pond and had popovers and a lovely view and fun in the sun.
My little nature man...
After going too far, being rescued, again, by Campbell.
Ring around the rosey with the whole crew...
And an actual group picture. I could not believe it.
Roommates!
The four of us...
The boys!
My sleepy boy...
Waiting for our table (lovely, isn't it?)...
And after....ice cream!!!!
Our lovely family who hosted us with sweet Rose, Fordy's first love... (or maybe he treats her more like a BFF -- he's pretty rough with her -- but she laughs, so maybe it's all heading toward wedded bliss -- who knows! )
Two fashionistas headed to the pottery store (did I mention that it was 60 degrees and raining? That girl is back to not wearing pants)...
Crazy faces!!!
Happy faces....
Ford loving on Campbell, his new crush (other than Quincy and Miller, of course).
Miller and Abbs.... hanging on the porch in matchy match outfits.
The beloved group.... friends now, forever.
So, there is a teeny tiny slice. The teeny tiny slice that my brain can remember at the moment. It was so heavenly. The timing was truly ordained (we had this trip planned for 2 years and didn't know we'd be in escrow -- and closing while we were away!). Already it feels like so long ago....
And we had another weekend yet --- a weekend of visiting family in New Jersey. Coming soon!
1015. Abby, Rose and Ford all sleeping in the same room
1016. Abby being big with the "littles" and little with the "bigs"
1017. everyone home safe and sound
1018. jenny's moments captured
1019. hair dye
