New England Vacation

We took our week long vacation the second week in August and did a little New England tour. The Sharp's brought their sailboat, Stolen Moments, up to Newport for the whole month of August, and we were happy to get to live on it for a week. We started in Newport and then went to Menemsha, Nantucket, Edgartown (Martha's Vineyard), Cuttyhunk, and then back to Newport. Lydia also came with us. This was only her second time on a boat, and certainly the longest. She did great - feeling seasick only a few times (eek!).

Here's a shot of Menemsha. It's a very small, picturesque fishing village where the moving Jaws was filmed. It consisted of just a main street with some shops, one restaurant, and one ice-cream place. Really all that we needed.

Dave and the girls caught this monster fish off the back of the boat. If we were going slow enough we put out a fishing rod with some bait to see what we could get. Unfortunately it was a blue fish, which taste disgusting, so we threw it back (no so unfortunate for the fish I guess). 

I took every opportunity to do what I like to do most on the boat - drink wine and read. I read a book called The Vanishing Year, which was a thriller and so good! 

There was only one day of bad weather (where both girls got seasick). Unfortunately it was our longest day on the water, traveling from Menemsha to Nantucket. I think Lydia might have been regretting her decision to come on this vacation at this point. 

Once we got to Nantucket it was gorgeous. Here is Dave and the girls in front of the lighthouse that welcomes you into the harbor. Nantucket was the only spot that we paid for a dock slip. The rest of the time we were on moorings out in the water. We took the opportunity to use their showers and laundry.

Right off the beach in Edgartown the girls caught little puffer fish in their nets. They were so tiny, and when you picked them up they puffed right up - providing hours of entertainment. 

Family shot on the lookout in Edgartown, which was my favorite spot of all the places we visited. We were actually there a few years ago, when I was pregnant with Lauren and Sophie was just 2 1/2. 

Our last stop before heading back to Newport was Cuttyhunk - a little island with less than 100 residents. This is a shot of the mooring we stayed in from a hill on the top of the island. This was also the second time that we've been there. It's such a unique place - a one room school house for all children who live on the island, one little "grocery" store, an ice-cream stand (of course), and of course ample opportunity to eat oysters and lobster. 

Montreal/Lake George Week

The last week in August we drove up to Montreal and spent four days there and then drove down to Lake George and spent three days there. Both amazing places! A good mix of exploring, eating good food and relaxing before the school year begins. 

We went to the Ben & Jerry's factory where they make about a third of their ice cream. Unfortunately the production lines weren't running on the weekend, but we did see the factory where the ice cream was made and also enjoyed free samples at the end. 

In Montreal we went to a ropes course one day where the girls tested their high walking skills. Dave and Sophie went way up high and Lauren and I stayed closer to the ground. 

We did some sight seeing - here overlooking the City of Montreal. 

After Montreal we went to Lake George and to a very old school amusement park. The rides were last updated around the 1950s. They went way faster than rides today - evidence in this photo where the girls are almost flung out of the car. 

The girls first roller coaster ride. I think I'm freaking out the most in this picture. I wasn't completely sure that the car was going to stay on the tracks. Fortunately we all survived :)

We rented a cabin on Lake Luzerne, which was totally relaxing. There was a dock where we did a lot of fishing...

and also a lot of marshmallow roasting.  What a great vacation and a great way to end a wonderful summer! 

San Diego Vacation

Last week I had a conference in San Diego. We decided to make a vacation out of it, and Dave came out on Wednesday (no kids!). What an amazing city and what a wonderful vacation. We were there for 3 full days after the conference and we packed them with activities, but the mentality there is so chill, it didn't feel like we were rushing to do anything. 

On our first full day there we did two hikes, one along the Sunset Cliffs, and one call Ho Chi Mon trail, which is really a path carved by surfers, beginning in a very fancy neighborhood in La Jolla and ending right at the beach. It was no joke. Pictures cannot fully capture how steep and uneven the path was. It was all made of sandstone, so occasionally crumbled under our feet. At one point we had to walk across a very thin plank and at the end it was so steep that the surfers tied a rope to shimmy down on to the beach. 

Here's a shot of how narrow it was in some places

While we slowly meandered down, tripping and slipping, we were passed several times by agile surfers in bare feet, wet suits and surf boards. It was a little embarrassing. I also think they were a little surprised to see us on their turf. But it's San Diego, so of course they were very laid back about it.

That afternoon we rented sea kayaks and went out into the ocean. No pics for fear of getting wet, which was wise because both Dave and I flipped over. Loss of sunglasses, but luckily no phones or cameras. We got up close with some sea lions, which was really cool. 

The next day we rented a sail boat and went out into the San Diego Bay. It was windy and Dave had a blast. I was admiddely nervous. It's been a while since I've been sailing on anything but cushy, pleasure sail boats...

That night we went to a fancy dinner atop one of their highest buildings in the downtown area. The highlight was watching the sunset. It was lovely. 

On our last day we went to the famed zoo and saw this guy. He was very happily munching on some bamboo and was not interested in turning around to smile for the camera. But cool all the same. I've never seen a panda before. 

Weekend Getaway in Florida

In November Dave had his annual sales meeting in Marco Island, Florida, so we decided to make a little family vacation of it and went down a few days early. We stayed in a beautiful resort and for most of the trip the weather was lovely - in the 80s (while Philly was having their first cold snap).

The happy sisters

We took a nature hike through a national park. We were on the lookout for alligators, but unfortunately never saw one. Lots of birds and other little critters though.

If only we could walk on the beach in November every year! 

Turns out one of my good friends who moved to Florida a few years ago lived just 30 minutes from where we were staying. We were able to get together and I met her son, Myles, for the first time. Here are Lauren and Myles after a marathon day in the pool. 

NC VA Vacation

We just got home from a weeks vacation down south. Our good friends Carl & Amanda moved to Winston Salem, NC last year and we finally got down to visit them. Sophie had a fabulous time with their daughter Gianna, who is older and therefore much more fun than any of us to hang out with.

The very first thing they did when we arrived was to pull out the fancy dress clothes. Perfect for swinging... white gloves and all.

 We went for a "walk in the woods" (not quite a hike with the little ones), and Gianna was sure to show Sophie the way. Of course, she couldn't do everything that big kids can do - like stream jumping. One day...

Before and after NC we stopped into Charlottesville to break up the ride. My dad hung the swing that was his, mine & Becky's and now Sophie & Lauren's in the backyard. Sophie enjoyed it very much. 

This was a week of many firsts for Sophie. Here she is tasting her first honeysuckle. 

Group shot with Grandma. 

After the second swing through of Charlottesville we headed to Shenandoah, Va. where we rented a cabin for a few days with my parents. They had a canoe at the house that Dave and Sophie went out in it a few times.... her first canoe ride. 

Dad, Mom & Lauren

Another first... Sophie's first fish! And the only fish caught the whole weekend. With a stick, fishing hook and dental floss no less! 

And the last - and probably most enjoyable first - Sophie's first s'mores experience (which was actually on the deck at Carl & Amanda's house). Here's a shot of Pap Pap giving her some instruction at the cabin. 

Me and the girls... 

What a great vacation! Relaxing and adventurous all in one week.