Mimi Update

One Last Summer Hurrah!me and

I realized this summer what a wonderful place the lakehouse is. It's only an hour away and the kids just love it. It really is a special place. I decided to take the kids out for a week with just me and invite anyone who wanted to join us to come out. It turned out to be really fun. Matt was able to join us on the weekend and my friends came during the week at various times to have fun and play. I got the courage to drive the boat and am glad I did.

John really started to get the hang of wake boarding this summer. Do you see Will's splint! He broke his wrist a few days before we went out there when he fell of his hoverboard. But he managed so well!

The Minor kids

Sampling of my friends that came - Cassidy Ingle, Rachael Dagani, Erin Minor, Cici Scott, me, and Melissa

These two adore each other

These two also adore each other

All the KIDS! They all go to ACS and get along great

The Moms! Katie Foshea is in this one

The kids loved to "submarine" behind the boat - hilarious

Here they are again - submarining!

Go John!

My girl

Cici and Rachael

Tubing was a big hit too

I am so glad Matthew caught this big fish!

my and my girl

Pine Cove and Mimi Camp for the kids

While the big kids were at Pine Cove overnight camp, Matthew was met at our house by Donna. Then Donna took Matthew to Mimi's house for "Mimi Camp" for the week. Pine Cove is only a week long and it is located in Columbus, Texas between Austin and Houston. It is not the prettiest camp but the kids sure have fun. I am so glad the cabins have A/C because it is sweltering when they are there. 

I sure love this lady - Donna is the BEST. I don't know what I would do without her!

Dropping the big girls off at Outback Pine Cove - I'm so glad they have each other

Their counselor for the week - Pinky

So glad Alivia had Caroline there with her for the week

This was John's first time at Silverado Pine Cove. Will was there to show him the ropes - I am not sure who was more relieved to have who there with him. :-)

One of the few letter we got from John - they do these cool electronic letters so you get them quickly

Will's letters are always hard to read - he gets so homesick. He does NOT like camp

Alivia loves camp! 

Character boomerang for Alivia - Joyful, Kind, Intentional

For Will - Enduring, Respectful, Trustworthy

For John - Adventurous, Amiable, Tactful

So glad these cute kids are back home!

Trip to Maine!

While the kids were at camp, Matt and I had a getaway to Maine. Matt had always wanted to go there so we took the opportunity to GO! Southwest flies there now so I could fly for free alongside Matt with the Companion Pass. 

The first day we landed in Portland, ME and drove to Camden - stopping at Bowdoin College and Red's Eats in Wiscasset along the way. 

The next day we got up early and drove to Acadia National Park. I almost did not include this on our trip because I was worried about the crowds but I am so glad we went! Next time we go I want to spend more time there and rent some bikes and bike along the old carriage trails.

Day #3 was spent driving to Kennebunkport and stopping at a beautiful lighthouse along the way. And one more pass through Red's Eats for a lobster roll!

Day #4 explored Kennebunkport. We were supposed to take a schooner trip but the wind was too high so they cancelled it. We had a lovely dinner at Ocean Restaurant and were able to bike along the coast seeing the beautiful homes in Kennebunkport including the Bush Compound. 

Day #5 explored Kennebunkport in the morning and then headed to the airport where we found our flight was cancelled and paid $800 to get on another airline! 

I guess that is my one complaint about Maine - it is so hard to get to. It took us most of the day to get there and back. I think the mountains of Colorado are just as beautiful and easier (for Texans) to get to. I would like to take the kids some day, but I have other priorities so it may be awhile!

We stopped at Bowdoin College on the way to Camden, Maine - it seems like a very musically-oriented school

Our first several nights were in Camden at the Inn at Sunrise Point - such a beautiful place - but it was so foggy we couldn't see any view! That was a bummer because supposed the ocean is beautiful there.

We stopped at Red's Eats TWICE in Wiscasset for the MOST AMAZING lobster rolls. 

Hiking along the Dorr Mountain Trail

It was still really foggy in portions of the hike

Matt "re proposed" to me and gave me a beautiful ring along our hike. I was so surprised!

Popovers and jam at the Jordon Pond House Restaurant - they were so yummy! I am so glad we did this. The guidebook made it sound like it was a tourist trap but I thought it was lovely. A must do!

Young's Lobster Pound in Belfast was a disappointment - after Red's Eats it is hard to eat lobster or seafood anywhere else!

Lighthouse at Pemaquid Point - it was a really cool lighthouse that we got to go inside. But the FOG really ruined the view. Bummer! And the warnings about getting swept away by the waves were crazy.

We stayed at the Captain Fairfield Inn in Kennebunkport and to be honest it wasn't that great but we rented bikes and had a blast riding along the seawall and seeing the beautiful houses

Dinner at Ocean Restaurant was a treat

Beautiful location and beautiful food!

Second stop at Red's Eats did not disappoint! I would have stopped a third time if we could have!

I'm still dreaming about those lobster rolls