NH With Some Family

As per usual, we try to spend a lot of weekends in NH during the summer. When we first bought our place there 7.5 years ago, we thought of it as a ski house. We now enjoy the summer season there probably more than any other time of year. The only thing that makes these weekends even more enjoyable is sharing it with friends and family. We are gearing up for visitors the next 2 weekends. The last time we were there, 2 weeks ago, my sis in law and her family joined us for some fun.

Cade and Cousin Emily

Emily, Dylan and Patrick

Mike and the boys headed up early on Friday and were met in the afternoon by Maureen, Joe, Patrick and Emily. I, unfortunately, could not take time at that particular part of the month off so journeyed up solo to meet them late Friday night.

On Saturday, we geared up for a hike. Having done Mt. Willard with the girls in June, I was excited to share my new favorite hike with my favorite boys. The boys got to use their brand new hiking camelback backpacks. I was hoping they would be excited to carry them and they were! Bonus, now they can start carrying their own water and snacks. Super bonus - they were really stinkin' cute in them.

My Little Hikers Complete With Backpacks

Modeling Their Flames

The group trekked up to the top. My little boys were a little slower moving than the rest of the group. Emily and Patrick generally stayed towards the front of the pack and were troopers about stopping and waiting up for the rest of us.

Joe (at front), Maureen, Me (middle), Emily and Cade

Dylan Leading Emily and Cade

We took our first break at a pretty waterfall for pictures.

Maureen, Me, Cade Patrick
Dylan and EMily

What a good lookin bunch!

I had thought this would be the perfect trail for my boys. Dylan did great but Cade and his tiny little legs had a little trouble with the rocks (which I didn't think there were a ton of until I hiked with such a little guy). BUT we all made it to the top with little complaint and were rewarded with a fantastic views, nice breezes and a place to sit and snack.

Train! Cade was super excited about the choo choo.

Crawford Notch

Me, Maureen and Patrick (and some randoms in the background...it's a popular trail)

Me and My Boys (just ignore the randoms)

Love My Family!

Look who got grumpy with his picture taking turn - the big boy!

The Hickey's - Maureen, Joe, Emily and Patrick

Joe and Emily

This good lookin' trio again

Me and Patrick

Patrick is always the trooper putting up with our shenanigans.

After a long hike, we headed back to the house. This time, we skipped our usual ice cream break because the boys were snoozin' after their big morning.

My Sleepy Babies

For the rest of the day, we stayed at our condo and hung out. The big event of the night was playing Kan Jam - a fun frisbee game.

Me and Cade Watching a Game

Patrick's Smooth Moves

Cade (and Dylan) Havin' Fun

Patrick and Maureen

These Goobers After Winning a Game

The next day, we decided to go kayaking. We'd done this trip with this same group, well minus my kids, 6 years back and had a blast. The weather was super iffy but we decided to be brave and make the trip. Our local ski\kayak shop, drives you up the river, drops you off and then picks you up at a certain spot 6 miles down the river. Here's our brave gang before setting off.

Well, wouldn't you know it, we did not win on the weather gamble that day. The rain started just a short while into our trip. Hearing thunder, we had to hop out onto shore a couple of times to make sure no lightening was nearby. When the downpour didn't look as if it was going to let up, we gave up our hopes of a nice lunch and day on the river and opted to paddle as quickly as possible to our pick up point.

The day wasn't miserable though. For the most part, our whole gang stayed happy. We also got to see 3 groups of momma Loons with their babies which was super cute. Dylan had a great time laughing at Patrick and Maureen trying to navigate the river in a canoe!

When we started out, Dylan and I were in a boat together and Cade was with Mike. After one of our lightening check stops, we switched kids. And poor Cade...he was cold! I got one of our dry towels out for him to use as a blanket. It quickly got drenched but with it and snuggling with mom, he stayed comfortable....comfortable enough to fall asleep in the pouring rain! It was tough to paddle around a sleeping baby head, but I managed. And, as luck would have it, just around the river bend from our pick up point, the skies cleared and it was just lovely!

My Kayak Attire For the Day
That little blue lump in my lap is sleeping Cade.

I wanted to get a picture of us poor river rats (or "after") by the river before getting in the van back, but we were all cold and getting eaten alive by mosquitoes so I let go of that moment so everyone could get comfortable. So, not exactly the ideal day but we all kept in good spirits and it will definitely make some good stories to laugh over throughout the years.

Another Off The Summer Bucket List - Boston Harbor Islands

I first moved to Boston 15 years ago this month. Can ya believe it? I can't. Seems like both a hot minute and a lifetime ago. When I first arrived, the whole city and area was new to me and I explored it ravenously, taking in all the new museums and sites. And wouldn't you know it, all these years later there are still many things yet to explore.

One of those things we put on our summer to do list, or summer bucket list as it was coined. That was making a little trip out to the Boston Harbor Islands. I didn't even know these gems existed until a friend's wedding 6 years ago. The groom was a sailor so the tables at the reception were each named after one of the harbor islands. And then it only took me another 2 family members and 6 years to make the pilgrimage there.

As there are several islands and ferry schedules to follow, I did all the research and planning for the trip. By Friday night, a general plan was in motion and ferry tickets had been purchased. It was a bit of a rush to make it to downtown Saturday morning, but we made the ferry departure by the skin of our teeth. Then it was time to relax. 

On Board With Great Views of the City

Me and My Boys

Our First View of the Islands

There was a great guide on board that narrated our view and gave some great history of Boston (as related to the sites we were seeing) and of the development\history of the islands. Definitely gave more of a touristy vibe to the 45 minute boat ride.

We were starting the day at Georges Island, home of historic Fort Warren. I figured there would pretty much be nothing more exciting for the boys then exploring a fort.

Cade was not into the paparazzi. He kept waving his hand and saying "no, no, no" at Dad and the camera.

Our first stop was the restroom and a small museum right by the dock. The kids were into it and it was a good start. We grabbed a map of the fort and got going. It was a pretty cool place to wander around.

View of the Inside

Lookout Tower Towards Boston

Looking Out From Inside the Walls

This big room was our favorite. Barrel ceilings, cool windows to look out and dark passages that led to secret rooms.

Some kids we saw there apparently knew what was up and had brought flashlights. Definitely a good plan. If we hadn't had the flashlight on our iPhones, we would have been in pitch black in some areas. The boys would have really dug the flashlights so just an FYI if you ever make the trip.

The islands are a carry in\carry out park. We had come prepared with a small cooler for lunches (but there was a snack bar there for any extras).

A view of Boston is in the background but it's near impossible to see in this shot.

Tree Huggers

I had thought we might catch another smaller, quick ferry to one more island but the boys' seemed to have enough adventure for the day so we went ahead and got into the ferry line back. While we waited in the line, we dropped by the booth that the New England Aquarium had set up with some sea life. The boys enjoyed watching and touching the different kinds of crabs available there. Then we loaded back onto the boat.

While the ride out to the island had been pretty mellow and laid back, the boys were much more animated on the return back. They pointed and were amazed at just about everything they saw. Of special interest were the laundry detergent bottles we saw marking lobster traps.

It was really a nice day...well, long morning really. And many islands left to explore. Next time we have visitors in town, this is definitely going to be a recommendation...and we might just have to tag along with you!