4th of July

In the morning, while everyone was still sleeping, Alec and I snuck out of the house to take a walk and watch the Bridgton 4 miler.

Waiting for the runners. We knew no one running it but everyone needs a cheerleader sometimes. We all made a decision at the house that if we rent this same house again next year- we are all signing up! To clarify, some of us made the decision for others. ;) There were some fast runners- the top 2 of the top 3 male finishers had cut off jean shorts. And they were still super fast!

After the road race we walked home and hung around for a while and then walked back into town to watch the parade. It was noon –too hot!

And here is a shot of downtown a few hours before the parade…

And during:

We spent the rest of the day hanging around in the water and bbq’ing.  At night we drove into Naples for the fireworks. Here is a group shot:

Maybe this a better shot?

They were great fireworks. Alec fell asleep about halfway through them. Vacationing is hard work!

Highlights

Just so you know- we call it the lake house –not for snobbery reasons but because “camp” confused Alec. He kept asking when we were going camping or where our campsite was- the redirection of wording clarified things for him. And besides..it is a house on a lake. And I mean on the lake. 

We rented the house with Erik’s best friend Todd –his wife Angie and their 6 kids, Todd’s Aunt and Uncle (Tiny and Wayne) and Todd’s mom and her husband (Norma and Harry). This is the second time we have done this at this house – it is an amazing time! We are lucky to have them be a part of our lives. It’s like Alec gets the benefit of additional cousins, aunts and uncles and a few extra grandparents! :)

Todd, Angie and children are on their way back to Minnesota and we will miss them until we see them again next summer. Correction…the families will have to wait that long…Todd and Erik have an annual trip to Vegas in November so they will see each other then. Lucky boys!

Some of my favorite shots…

Tiny and Alec having quiet conversations

The besties since age 5.

Erik and his marshmallows!

The oldest Petit (Connor 14) and the youngest Petit (James 1) together. There are 4 other Petit children between them.

Isabelle (9) and Alec hatching a plan!

And snuggling.

The older generation having their happy hour on the beach.

Helen (12..almost 13) and Erik and their veggie issues.

So many beautiful sunsets.

David(7) advancing his water skillz.

See that island(above)? Pine Island? I swam to it and back a couple times. Conquered my fear of open water swims. Yeah me!

Fishing with the big guys (Wayne..Wayne’s brother and Sam..Wayne’s nephew)!

Alec and Andrew (2.5) tubing!

More sunsets!

And more sunsets

Six of the seven children in the house.

Alec swam way out to this float. How far out was it? This far….can you see it?

I am sure there are more I will share soon!

A reunion

Courtney, Noel and Leo returned from their 11 month stint in Nicaragua late last week. We did not share with Alec the date that they were returning as the anticipation would have created way too many behavioral issues for us. He knew it was soon – he just didn’t know when. I gave him about a 2 minute warning. And that was enough.

There are some language barriers at the moment but I think they will quickly dissipate. Leo understands most everything we say in English but refuses to speak it to any of us. I give him a matter of days. :) It is a bit of culture shock for him. And, I would imagine, exhausting for a 3 year old to have memories of the surroundings but adjusting to all that goes with it.

Courtney got the boys these outfits – Alec immediately started stripping to put it on and once Alec had his on- Leo followed suit.  They are happier than this picture shows.

I give it a matter of days before they are in sync with the way they use to play with each other and will be off causing a raucous!

Melancholy Musings

I am a little bit sad tonight as we settle into our beds for pretty much the 1st time in 2 weeks. The cars and bags are unpacked, the kayaks unloaded, the washing machine is whirring and dryer tumbling. We said our good byes to our friends who are, although not blood related, without question -our family -at the lake house in Bridgton today.

From the ciaos of being 8 adults and 7 kids at the lake house -our little nuclear family of three just feels small now. And lonely.  There were so many memories made, laughs had (mostly at my expense!), meals and drinks shared, miles driven, fears conquered and hugs had.

Not to mention we drove in Olean and back in the middle of the lake house adventure for my family reunion. More memories made, laughter had, meals shared and hugs had. And more good-byes.

It’s hard to top the past few weeks.

Debbie told me today to “go update A Day in the Life”…and so I sit here and wonder where to start. 

This just seems to sum it all up!

On a summer break

We’ll tell you all about it soon.

Strawberry Fields…

As an underlying theme since March- I have been working too much and Alec and I have been playing too little- but Tuesday was a nice little break from all that stuff. It was opening day at Maxwell’s for strawberry picking so before we went out to the farm to pick up our share, we headed out to Cape Elizabeth for a little picking. There are places a little closer to us that we could pick – but Maxwell’s Farm is so very close to the ocean so that as you are picking you get a nice breeze that washes over you. So very worth the drive in my book.

It’s summertime!