Camping in Maine

When we got home from Montana we had one more week before Jared had to go back to school. We decided we wanted to go camping in Acadia National Park in Maine. We had never been to Maine before and it didn't disappoint. It reminded us a lot of the Oregon coast with mountains meeting right up to the shoreline. There were a lot of cute little coastal towns along the way. We stayed at a campground that had a fun playground, swimming pool, and showers. Even though we experienced some wet and foggy weather, our tent kept us nice and dry. The boys and Jared enjoyed exploring the tide pools the best and I liked picking the wild blueberries in our campground.

You can't go to Maine without eating Lobster! Jared put on quite a face for the picture. 

We watched them boil the lobster outside.

Our place mats for dinner :)

The wild blueberries. Yum!

My blue eyed boy eating blueberries!

Jared and Brig jumping into the pool

Our car was packed to the ceiling with camping gear. Brig had his legs propped up on the tent the whole way.

We went to this beach early in the morning and the water was cold. The waves were a little bigger than we were used to and Brig got knocked over a couple times. Haha it was really funny to watch.

The lighthouse

Brigham Turns 4

Our happy, energetic boy is 4! All he wanted for his birthday was a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. Easy enough! Of course we added some presents to sweeten the deal :) We spent the day at Mystic Aquarium checking out the sea creatures. We saw Beluga whales, penguins, sharks, and we pet a baby crocodile and a manta ray. Benson loved watching all of the "wish" (that's how he says fish) swim. Brig kept saying over and over, "This is the best day of my life!" He had a checkup and is 40 inches tall and about 35 pounds. His favorite color is blue. He says his favorite food is broccoli?!? His favorite thing to do is ride his bike and swim. He likes to tell jokes and make people laugh. His favorite movie is Planes: Fire and Rescue. When he grows up he wants to be a pilot, construction worker, or a doctor. He is learning to write his name and absolutely loves preschool!

He looks so excited here doesn't he?

Makes a funny face just like brother.

He requested blueberry pancakes (his favorite) for breakfast. 

Some structures he built with his magnet tiles. He plays with the tiles every day. Best toys ever!

Summer Vacation in Montana

We spent a whole month in Montana visiting family during Jared's summer break! It was nice to escape the heat, humidity, and the crowds of the East coast for awhile. We packed in as much fun as we could while we were there. We managed to see all of the cousins and aunt and uncles, which is an amazing feat! The boys were excellent on both flights, and handled all the traveling between Shelby and Fairfield well too. While at Papa and Grandma Choo Choo's the boys spent a lot of time on the trampoline and playing with water. Jared kept busy with helping Jorden and Ariel put a new roof on their house, as well as helping build a dormer on Heather and Gregg's house. I didn't take any pictures of this but we floated the Marias river together for the first time. We also got lots of practice playing corn hole. At Papa Moo Moo's and Nana's we played on the zipline, slip n slide, and went horseback riding, 4-wheeling, boating, and helped with some farm work. Brig's favorite part of the trip was playing with cousins. Jared's was the rope swing, and mine was horseback riding with my sisters. Prepare for an overabundance of pictures... 

Our happy boy. We celebrated his 1 year "Gotcha day" anniversary while we were there.

Benson and baby Eli. Benson is completely obsessed with babies and always wants to "hold" them.

Must have been a tasty ice cream cone!

Benson playing with Grandma and one of Dylan and Mauri's twins. Milton maybe? 

The aftermath of the chocolate ice cream cones. Brig and Gracelin.

The kids spent hours on the trampoline and playing in the sprinkler and kiddie pool.

Benson and Anniston

Anniston- what a doll!

Brig and Grace eating snacks on the trampoline

The roofing crew on Jorden and Ariel's roof. They picked some really hot days to do the work, but they got it done!

The three amigos eating peas from grandmas garden

One of my favorite views

On the flight there we were assigned seats right behind first class. There was tons of leg room, or room for Benson to lay down and sleep.

Benson loved looking out the window

One day we chased Papa's cows to the other side of the Community pasture for better grass.

The cow chasing crew putting along.

We took a couple of trips to the mountains. We enjoyed a picnic lunch and got rained on a little. Benson could have stayed and thrown rocks in the creek all day.

Cousins getting into the candy

Hikers on the bridge to Gibson Dam

The whole crew minus Duke and Darcy's families.

We enjoyed a couple trips to Nylon reservoir. Benson and Jett were happy to play in this mud hole.

Brig riding in the boat with Dad and Uncle Jake. He wasn't interested in riding on the tube.

Benson wasn't too sure of the boat ride.

The kids always enjoy finding crayfish and minnows.

Jacob and Brig were inseparable this trip. Good thing he lives just three blocks from Papa choo choo's.

Our view from the cabin Jake and Rachel rented on Lake Mary Ronan.

One day was a little chilly for swimming so we played lots of games.

We caught large crayfish and even a turtle in some traps off of the dock. Here is everyone watching to see how long it would take the turtle to flip over onto his stomach.

Brooke jumping off the rope swing

Grandma on the rope swing.

Papa getting ready to go on the rope swing

Jared going off the platform

There wasn't much of a beach for kids to play in the water but they were happy with the kiddie pool. There was also a fun tree swing, golf frisbee, and corn hole to keep us busy.

At night lots of bats would fly around the porch. Grandma and I were sitting in the living room when we noticed one flying around inside the cabin. Jared became the designated bat catcher. Gross!

Grandma and Jake on the canoe

Papa helping the grandkids fish. 

We took a couple of rides on the paddle boat

Brig caught a little fish off of the dock

Brig was brave enough to try the tube on this lake. He loved it! When it was slow going he would copy Jaxon and stand up and do surfing tricks.

Jared trying to make a chain of crayfish together

Everyday we saw moose

Grandma riding with the kids

Testing out the zip line 

What's family time without a couple of work projects? Cleaning out the grain truck

Jett celebrated his second birthday!

Addy going down the slip n slide!

Reading books in the tent. Most of the cousins slept in the tent with Grandma. Even through a thunderstorm and the knowledge of a mama grizzly bear a few miles away.

Brooke and snickers standing in a "teepee ring"

Benson was excited to see the horses but didn't want to get too close :)