Sweet Summertime

With school beginning on Tuesday, I've been reflecting on our summer.  It was super busy, but I think one of the best.  Which is probably why I have been feeling a little depressed about having to replace my flip flops with my ironing board.

Some of our highlights...

We traveled to Lubec four times this summer:

Our latest trip was this weekend, in which we participated in Eastport's Pirate invasion. If you have children who are even slightly interested in pirates you NEED to take them here.  They hold it every Saturday during Labor Day weekend in which the Eastport Pirates invade Lubec's harbor.

They come by boat:

By plane:

And even by bike:

Children and adults alike then "attack" the pirates with water balloons and squirt guns as they try to come ashore.

Captain Jack!!

AARGH!

 Even the most fearsome pirates need a little ice cream after a hard fought battle!

Bummed that you missed the invasion?  No need! Next weekend is the pirate festival that is held in Eastport, although we have yet to take Jack, from the looks of the itinerary there is a TON of events for both kids and adults to enjoy.



Then of course there was our trip to Ireland.

If you want to see more pictures click here for the link for the first post from our trip.

After about a week of being home we were off again.  This time it was to Sebago Lake with 3 other families.

Last weekend, Bryan and I were lucky enough to see Kenny Chesney not once, but twice at the Country Fest in Gillette Stadium.

All thanks to these two very generous and wonderful people.

First night's crew:

And first night's view...

The second night there were 12 of us total.  I didn't get an opportunity for a whole group shot, but you will probably recognize these 3 girls.  Love them so much.

As soon as I got back that Sunday, my sister from Colorado and a friend of hers, came for a visit.  Miranda's friend had never visited Maine before, so they hit up all the "touristy" stops.  I tagged along on Monday for a whale watching trip down in Bar Harbor, and we were so incredibly blessed with a fabulous trip.

We had the opportunity to see 3 different species of whales (Fin, Minke and Humpback).  There were a pair of Humpbacks that stuck around for more than an hour, they got so close that the researcher aboard the vessel was able to identify the two whales as Jib and Patches.

While up near the bow of the ship, I had a surreal moment when I notice that it was absolutely silent as the crowd just sat in wonder as we watched these majestic animals swim along side the boat.  I got a little misty eyed watching the pair.  I turn to Miranda and, said "Why would someone want to go to an aquarium that houses whales?" To be able to watch them here in their own habitat, the way God intended should ones only option.


Besides all the traveling Jack hit a couple of milestones as well.

At the beginning of the summer he became potty trained and then of course we took him to his first movie.

Again, such a fabulous summer and although I am a bit down it is over, I am looking forward to the change in the weather, autumn leaves, pumpkins and apple picking.

And don't forget football season!