Hike before Hurricane

So Hurricane Irene visited the lower half of the US on Saturday and didn't hit us until Sunday. So why not go for a pre-hurricane hike on Saturday? It ended up being an excellent short little hike and a great way to get some energy out before being cooped up inside all day on Sunday.  After the hike, Sebastien came home and slept for 4 hours! (If only I could have saved that nap for Sunday instead though.)

Here are the munchkins playing while we get ready to hike at Pawtuckaway State Park in NH.

 Dan and Sebastien (in the backpack) starting up the trail. Sebastien ended up getting out and walking about halfway up until about halfway down. It was the most he's ever done (hence the 4 hour nap afterwards). Hopefully by next fall we won't need to carry him at all because he is sooo heavy!

 Kim and Genevieve on the trail

 Big boy climbing up, up up!

 Dan and Sebastien climb the firetower at the summit.

 Family pic at the top

While you were sleeping...

Sebastien - while you were sleeping, Mommy and Genevieve took silly pictures of themselves. See, you're not missing anything. So stop skipping your naps!

Coming out our ears

We have an over abundance of garden zucchini at the moment. Last weekend Dan and Sebastien made 3 huge zucchini casseroles and we still had tons left over. Here is Sebastien stirring some components of the casseroles.

 This zucchini got too big to use..except as a funny photo prop.

 Zucchini aside, Sebastien is signed up for tot soccer in September. It's only 4 days total, but

I figured he still needed some shin guards and a soccer ball. He loves to kick the ball in the goal but does NOT like it when I pretend to actually play soccer with him and get the ball away from him. He's also a big fan of picking up the ball and running with it. This should be interesting.

A few more beach pictures

Sadly our York beach vacation came to an end last weekend. It's depressing to think that an entire year will go by before we get to go there again. I remember wondering last year at the beach when Genevieve was 5 months old what she'd be like this year as a toddling, babbling 17 month old. (She was wonderfully entertaining, by the way.) Now I can't help wondering what she'll be like as a 2.5 year old next year, and Sebastien as a 4 year old. We did some fun things at the end of our York trip. We went kayaking one day in the harbor. We explored York's Wild Animal Kingdom, which was a much better zoo than we anticipated. The howler monkeys and butterfly room were fantastic. We also attempted to tour some of the old buildings in historic York. The kids haven't quite mastered staying quiet while the tour guide speaks, so we had to cut those a little short, but it was stil interesting to see.  

Below: Dan and Kim kayaking

Grandma and Sebastien on the beach

 Genevieve wearing (what I think) is the cutest suit ever.

 Sebastien loved playing with Uncle Phil on the beach.

 Cool kids

 Grandpa pulling Genevieve around on the beach.

 Kim with the kids in front of a historic York house.

 Dan and kids checking out some monkeys at York's Wild Animal Kingdom

 A butterfly in the butterfly room.

Thank you Masse clan for a wonderful trip!

Beachy Family Pics

Here's the Masse clan in front of the beach house in York.

 Here we are again in front of Nubble Light.

Evening at the Beach

We spent all day Wednesday at the beach and took these pictures out on the beach in the evening.

 Grandpa & Grandma

 The beach house

Beach Preview

The annual two week beach vacation in York, Maine has begun. We won't officially be going up until next week but we still got to enjoy all day Sunday there. I can't wait for next week!

There's nothing better than sitting on the porch looking out at the beach.

 Genevieve is at the perfect starter age for the beach. 17 months is much more condusive to fun in the sun than last year's 5 months.

 The first thing Genevieve said to me when she discovered the wet sand was "Dirty!" and held out her hands for me to clean them. It only took a few minutes though for her to embrace the "dirty" and cover herself in it.

Last year Sebastien was mortified of the ocean. Even if we were carrying him, he'd freak out if we went near the water. So, as you can see below, he's come a long way in a year. A special thanks to Grandpa for helping him brave the (toe-deep) waves. Genevieve, of course, has no fear of the water -or anything for that matter- and so she loves it too.

Growing Garden

The garden is growing along nicely. We're already enjoying snap peas, green beans, zucchini, and cucumbers. Tomatoes and beets are up next.