Finally....A Real Vacation

While I posted about 2 summer days that we actually got to spend playing in a summer way, September was rung in with something amazing - a relaxing vacation week! While there were definite events and moments that tried to counteract our relaxing (condo sell falling through, uncomfortable run-ins with our builder, constant phone calls to the builder's realtor to try and get issues resolved that needed to be resolved asap), we for the most part had a great week there.

We started out the week with Maureen's family. They came up for Labor Day weekend. Friday afternoon was spent getting settled, lounging out on the deck and hanging out with each other. A lot of nothing is the absolutely perfect thing to "do" to get in vacation mode.

Cade Trying Out the Paint

He had a great time painting with Emily!

The Budding Artists

Cousins

My Handsome Dylan

Cutie Cade

Joe Trying out the Baby Adirondack
Cade Looking at Him Like He's a Nutcase

After that mellow day, we ended up packing in quite a bit on Saturday. After getting dressed, breakfasted and out the door (no easy feat for 8 people to do), we headed to Clark's Trading Post, a favorite fun "tourist" spot in the area. First up was the trained bear show. It really is amazing and I am in awe every time I see it.

Next up was the train ride. It's funny how my boys feel the need to move. We loaded on the train and both of them were so ridiculously wiggly until the moment the train started. Then they both sat with me so peacefully to enjoy the ride and "watch the show."

See the train goes through territory that the Wolfman claims as his own and he rides after the train and rants and raves and does whatever he can to convince you to leave his property! As for us, we tell him to "Scram you old goat!" It's totally campy but kids absolutely love it.

Wolfman's Sweet Ride

The Wolfman is Pretty Jacked
I'm Not Messing With Him

We went in Merlin's Mystical Mansion which was a weird optical illusion type ride. Dylan was a little unsure of it during the ride (told me he was going to close his eyes) but was captivated enough to ask many questions about it throughout the day. We went through the museums they have of old stuff. Dylan and Cade were fascinated by a self playing piano....actually it was a self playing one man band of sorts that still worked. For just a quarter, you could watch the entertainment. While we were wandering, Patrick and Emily got to play on Segways. It's not a huge place so just a few hours was plenty to enjoy it fully. Then we grabbed some fast food and drove the beautiful Kancamangus Highway to the town of North Conway. This is how the boys enjoyed the scenery of the Kanc:

North Conway is known for good shopping and that's what we did there. We hit up a few outlet stores and some of our other favorite spots. The Hickey family introduced us to a fabulous store we had never gone to before - The Christmas Loft. It was chocked full of holiday scenes that the boys absolutely loved. Not shocking, Dylan was most interested in the set up of a Halloween village (think the traditional tiny houses that you see decorated shelves in homes at Christmas time, only spooky). We also hit up the awesome (but seriously crowded) general store where we picked up some treats:

Then we had an early dinner at one of the Hickey's favorite restaurants in town. After an action filled day with short naps, Mike and I called it a day and our car headed back to our condo. Maureen and her crew stayed behind for some more fun and came back later that night. We would all need a good night's rest that night because the next day, Mike's cousin, Gretchen, and her family were meeting us for a little family reunion and a hike up a mountain.

Relaxing by Way of Boat and Beach

After our closing on the NH place, a weight had been lifted for sure. Finally, at the end of August, it was time for some summer fun. The last weekend in August, it was time for a family tradition - the family sail! Mike's uncle Bob has a beautiful sail boat and he invites all of us up to Gloucester Harbor once a year to enjoy a day on the water and beach together. With a family chocked full of young kids, sailing's not really all that feasible so the "family sail" is a bit of a misnomer. What actually happens is we all pile on the boat, motor down the Annisquam River, drop anchor near a beach and dingy onto shore for lunch and play.

Not, I'm not going to lie, last year family sail day was really not fun for me. While this post shows me all smiles, I really wasn't smiling most of that day. Sure there were some positive moments but in all honesty, I only recall them now that I went back and re-read the post. My memory of the day was more of being all by myself shading a baby in a tent, not being able to use the bathroom all day because said baby was strapped to me the entire time, nursing a baby off by myself most of the day and my husband and the rest of the crowd off having a great time without me.

Well, this year was going to be different. Even though I had a foul time the previous year, I was really looking forward to the day and sure that it was going to be a good one. With great weather, it was time to set sail!

Jacob, Kristina, Dylan, Justin and Jessie at the Bow

Captain Bob at the Helm!

The Crew at the Stern

It was a full boat for the day. Captain Bob, first mate Nancy were the lovely hosts. Mike's sisters' and their families were there as well as Bob and Nancy's kids (Erik and Jamie) with their kids and friends (respectively). A total of 20 people.

Now, I'm not much of a boater. In fact, I'm ashamed to admit I had to look up what the "front" and "back" of the boats are called for the captions above. When anyone walked down the stairs to the lodging area of the boat, I kept saying they "went under" and Nancy kept correcting me that they "went below." Let's just say my nautical vocabulary needs some work. Due to my ease of slipping into seasickness, I'll never be a true sailor either. A true landlubber I am. But, I am more than happy, once a year, to pretend I am at one with the water. As we started out on our trip, I had a very tired baby who needed a nap. He and I headed up to the bow by ourselves, watched the seagulls, ducks and driftwood floating by and felt the wonderful ocean breeze. It was cathartic for me and for Cade too as he was fast asleep and napped all the way to our destination. Glad he could get in a rest so he could enjoy the day.

Cade Snoozing

Jessie and Ryan

The waters were a bit too turbulent for us to go to our usual haunts. We dropped anchored right off of Wingaersheek Beach. Much to everyone's surprise, this was my first time at this beach. Apparently it's a favorite for a lot due to lots of shallow water, tides pools to find sealife surprises and huge rocks you can climb on at low tide. When they were looking for volunteers on the first dinghy out, I was happy to go and leave Mike in charge of getting all of our stuff to shore (part of my "I'm having fun today" plan).

There was lots of shuttling back and forth. Mike had been sent off the boat before getting all of our food out to us but was assured that the cooler would be brought to shore. Some miscommunication happened and our cooler didn't make it. Mike went back to the boat to get it but not before putting the shout out for anyone else that might be missing stuff - which went unanswered. Once back, more folks realized some of their food hadn't made it to shore either, much to Mike's frustration. Being happy and free playing on the beach with the kiddos, I high-fived cousin Erik and said "I'm having fun this year!" I didn't mean to downplay Mike's frustration but that's how I'd felt most of the previous year so I guess it was time for our roles to be reversed. You'll be happy to know that after we all got some grub in our tums, Mike was right as rain again and happy to play.

Nana and Cade Having Fun in the Shallow Water

I think she might have been having as much fun as he was.

Jacob Digging in the Sand

Dylan - So busy playing in the sand that he would smile but didn't have time to look up at the camera.

Joe

Cade and I

Justin and Ryan Taking a Lunch Break

Mike and the Boys Having a Great Time Digging

Jacob, Mike, Dylan, Cade and Corwin

Me, Patrick and Maureen

Dylan!

My Boys

Family Photo

Cade had a pretty short nap and I wanted to see some more of the beach. So a group of us headed down the beach and I had hoped Cade would fall asleep during that time. He was very drowsy but never did give in. The down time gave him the rest he needed though because he was a happy camper the rest of the trip. Once we were back at the dock and trying to get unloaded and headed home...different story. The day definitely wore him out.

The Big Rocks

We circled by the lighthouse before heading back to the harbor.

It was a great day.....one that really defines the summer. Especially defines ours as it was one of the very few true "summer days" we had. A couple of weeks after this great trip, we took a week long vacation to our new place in NH to close out the summer.

Closing in on Closing - A Day At the Flume

It's hard to believe that it's been a little over a month since we closed on our place in New Hampshire. Hard to believe because it was such a ridiculously long and tumultuous road to get there. After about 3 weeks of a delay due to stupid paperwork issues, we were set to close on Thursday, August 8th. I arranged for time off work and we were all set to close and spend a long weekend there, to return on Sunday when had plans with Dylan's friend and her parents. Late Wednesday afternoon, we were told of yet another (ridiculously idiotic) delay in paperwork and wouldn't be able to close until the following Tuesday. So, change of plans. We would go to NH Friday night and return after closing on Tuesday. After breaking the news to our playdate, they decided to make the drive to us on Sunday and play there. Yay!

I cannot even begin to express to you what a complete joy that day was. Nothing about our vacation retreat had been fun nor relaxing up to this point and we'd really lost sight of why we have a home up there and love it so. Not lost sight in the logical sense, but the joy in our hearts for it hadn't been experienced in so long that we'd forgotten how it really felt. Along comes the Jolon family.....

Isabella and Dylan became best friends in pre-school last year and because of their strong bond, us parents have become friends too. When they came up, we decided to play at the Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch. A beautiful place that I really try to get to once a year.

Best Friends

Best Friends with Their Lovies

While it's a bit of a "hike" (2 miles or so up to the Flume, through it and then a walk on the ledge back down to the visitor's center, the paths are nice and even which is perfect for little feet like Cade's. The kids did great with all that walking around.

Dylan, Cade and Isabella at the Boulder Cave

Rare shot of Mike and I together (Cade on my back)...doesn't Mike look overjoyed?

Cade was Carried for a While
Was there ever more adorable luggage?

Rocks and Water - Always Fun for the Kiddos

Me and My Baby

Start of the Flume
That's Dylan on the walkway.
He tended to stay a few steps ahead of the gang
during most of the day.

Tall Granite Walls

Cade was amazed at the water flowing underneath.

Caught mid scream.
LOVE this pic!

I'm always amazed how how trees grow on rocks in the area.

Gustavo and Isabella Checking out the River

Eleni,Gustavo,Isabella,Me and Cade(and some random dude)

Waterfall!

Can you see the rainbow at the bottom?

Dylan, Gustavo, Mike, Cade, Isabella and I in the Bear Cave!

How cute are those two together?!?

Some seriously stinkin' cute boys!

Me - The Pack Mule
Yep, that's me carrying Dylan AND Isabella

Good thing I work out.
Guess it's been paying off since
it really wasn't all that difficult to haul
around 70+ pounds without too much effort.

Best family shot we could get this late in the game.

The Girls! And some pretty mountains.

The Girls! And a HUGE rock.

Again, rocks and water...what's more fun than that.

After all that walking, playing and excitement, Cade got a little pooped out. Poor guy fell fast asleep in his Daddy's arms.

While Mike went to the car with Cade to let him have a little nap, the rest of us ended the day with some ice cream. No hike should end without a frozen treat.

While our friend's headed home to Massachusetts, we stayed in NH and awaited our closing. After such a wonderful, fun day with great people, we were rewarded with an amazing sunset sky over our beautiful mountain view.

Lo and behold it was a good omen. Because we did, ultimately, close that Tuesday. Not without a ton more going wrong up until the second of closing time. In a way, I want to put down all the crazy details of crud that went down so I'll never forget how hard it was to get to the end. On the other hand, I don't want to record it because I think I'd rather forget about it. In the end what's important is that we finally took ownership and can enjoy in (relative) peace. Still hounding the realtor and builder to get some of the final details taken care of\fixed and working to find a buyer for our old place. So, trips up there aren't exactly responsibility free vacations, but we're getting closer...getting closer.

Summer's Officially Over!

Well folks, it's official. Dylan's back in school which means our summer is officially over.

My Handsome Guy

His first day today consisted of only an hour of time. He has the same teacher as last year but is in a new classroom. Even though he didn't seem quite so sure of it all when we dropped him off, he was all smiles when we picked him up. So, a good start to the year.

I have some seriously mixed feelings about summer ending. I was enjoying the fall weather we've been having the last few days (though today is probably our hottest, muggiest day of the year thus far). Cooler weather makes me happy. However, I felt as if we had just started being able to enjoy summer and - Poof! - it's gone!

As you know, we've been knee deep in this NH town home building business. It took a turn for the worst in July and August and we were more like chest deep in problems with the build timeline, our loan processing (mixed with build delays and appraisal nastiness) as well as a skyrocketing dive in our relationship with the builder. It got nasty fast and it was nothing short of miserable to deal with....still deal with in fact. There are still some dangling items that need to be addressed\fixed and we're having to grin and bite our tongues to be nice to people we feel have miserably failed us in many ways and given a really negative start to our dream vacation spot. I hope once we're finally through it all we'll be able to completely shake the negative associations and will truly be able to enjoy it without any drama. Time will tell I suppose.

What we thought was a bright spot was that our old condo was under agreement and was set to close last week. All with relatively no issues. Seemed too good to be true and it was.  Yeah, the deal fell through at the last second and we're back to square one on that front. Anyone looking for a mountain get away? I know a great place! Wink wink. 

In any case, during the month of July and August, we finally had 2 great days that 1) let us feel like we were having a glimpse of what summer should really be like (fun and free) and 2) reminded us (in the depth of the negative NH business) why it is we love having a place there and having room for friends. I will be blogging about those 2 days soon as well as the week we got to spend on vacation in our new place last week! It was mostly great with a few headaches thrown in (like we found out about the collapse of our sell the day we arrived, spent some time at the old place cleaning and fixing to start the showing process again, and were dealing with getting our builder to get some things done while we were there that should have been fixed long before our arrival). It was definitely our last hurrah before getting back to a more scheduled life of school and work. 

So, happy fall, y'all! Hope to be dropping in on the blog a little more frequently as things in life (hopefully) slow to a more usual pace.