Grammy Patty & Papa Visit!

We had a whirlwind weekend with Grammy Patty and Papa. Sadly they are now on their way back home and I am left with reminders of their stay (fudge from Rockport, a pile of dirty towels, a bottle of wine on the counter from a vineyard we stopped at, a bag full of rocks...and the list goes on.)

Our adventure started Wednesday night when I picked them up from the airport at midnight. Thursday we took the kids to the Boston Children's Museum and then spent the rest of the day in the pool since it was SO HOT. Dan took a vacation day on Friday. We all went to breakfast, went to the Dracut park splashpad, came home and swam some more, then went to dinner and then for ice cream and Grandma and Grandpa's house in Dracut. On Saturday we went to the SEE Science Center and Millyard Museum in Manchester. We headed up to Ruggle's Mine after that, followed by a quick winery visit and dinner at Margarita's in Concord on the way home. On Sunday we went to visit Gloucester. We started out letting the kids play on a playground at the state park. We then hit up a nearby Renaissance Fair at the Hammond Castle. Then it was on to the Gloucester Heritage Museum, Rockport, and back to Gloucester for dinner. Whew! The kids were troopers and in very good moods all weekend. It was so nice! Here are some of the highlights in pictures:

Hanging around the house in the A/C on Thursday. Playing play-doh with Grammy.

 All of the grandparents!

 Papa following the kids into the submarine at the SEE Science Center.

 Grammy and Sebastien enjoyed the Lego town and trying to find the choo-choo.

 Family pic before heading into Ruggles Mine.

Sebastien holding Grammy's hand as they head into the mine. 

 Sebastien and Dan hunting for rocks and minerals in a cave.

 Genevieve loved holding a rock in each hand. She held onto these rocks for over an hour.

 Saturday morning group shot with Gloucester harbor/ Cape Ann in the background

 Grammy Patty and Papa (or as Sebastien now calls him "big blue Papa bear" )

Renaissance festival at a castle...why not?! 

Kids looking at marine life at the Gloucester Heritage Center 

 Absolutely exhausted after a day with no nap. Luckily they got some snoozes in while we walked around Rockport.

 Dan & Kim in Rockport

 Papa & Genevieve

What a wonderful visit!!

Pool Time...Finally!

Well it only took us until the middle of July to open our pool. Luckily, it was just in the nick of time since the hot weather hit soon after. Sebastien is still not a huge fan of the pool (which is dissappointing since he loved swim lessons earlier in the year) but Genevieve is. Gwynnie is also enjoying the pool from the sidelines as she chases around our new swimming Nemo toy. Here are some shots from the pool:

Storyland, Camping, and Thomas...oh my!

We just got back from an action-packed weekend up north. We started off with a 3 hr car ride to meet the O'Donnell family at Storyland. It truly was a great place. I can't wait to go back, especially since the kids couldn't last long enough to see everything. There were all kinds of rides. Sebastien actually went on the roller coaster twice, although he was very scared each time.

 Below: Sebastien loved driving the antique cars.

 Below: Best buds Luke and Sebastien loved being together at such a fun place.

 Below: Genevieve in the building with tons of foam balls. I didn't think it was possible for a 16 month old to have a color preference, but she would ONLY pick up pink balls.

 Below: After Storyland, we went camping. Here's Genevieve in the Saco River near our campsite.

 Dan helps Sebastien roast his first marshmallow.

 Below: On Sunday morning, we got up from camping and went to see "A Day Out with Thomas" at the North Conway Scenic Railway. We took a ride on the train that Thomas was pulling, played games and did other Thomas-related activities. The drive home was a long one because we were all tuckered out. This weekend will be one of those ones we'll always remember though!

 Below: Genevieve sports a Thomas tatoo.

The 4th at the Lake

We went up to Lake Winnipesaukee on the 4th to spend time with the Mayotte and Jussaume clans. The kids absolutely loved playing on the beach and Genevieve especially liked the water. We got plenty of sun, had time out on the boat, some yummy food, and great chats with friends.We even got to see fireworks on the lake as we drove home. I couldn't think of a better way to spend the 4th!

Below: Ethan and Sebastien on the beach Below: Genevieve and Addison on the beach

I love being on the boat in Lake Winnipesaukee!!

Below: Dan & Sebastien on the boat ride

Kim, Rachael and Addison

Below: Grandparents and grandkids

BOOM!

On Saturday night, Phil, Dan, the kids and I went to the soccer fields at Windham high school to watch the fireworks. Unlike last year, Sebastien was not afraid in the least. He kept screaming, "Here comes another one!" as the fireworks shot up. He would then say, "That one was my favorite" after each one.

Below: The kids got to experience glow sticks for the first time while we waited.

Below: Note Sebastien's enthusiasm!

Below: The following morning, we observed these baby birds (called gray cat birds)

in their nest outside our house.

Likes

Look, I like my food!

Look Grammy, we like our shirts from Mexico!