Summer Trip to Maine

Since we pretty much have to stay away from other people all summer, we decided to take our big summer vacation to.... Todd's sister and brother-in-law's cabin in Maine!  First, let me tell you... we NEVER have a bad time in Maine!  But, last summer we were in Russia, and Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, among many other great countries.  And this summer, our only trip was a 2 hour drive to Maine!  Talk about different times.

We decided to stop at UNH, Todd's alma mater for a picnic lunch on the Thompson Hall Lawn.



I ordered some subs from JP's Grill when we were driving up and Todd ran in to pick them up while we waited in the car.

And then we went to the Thompson Hall Lawn, spread out my favorite picnic blanket from my favorite Scottish friends Pamela and Magnus and we had a feast!



Family selfie in front of Thompson Hall.



We walked around the campus for a little bit and then wound up back in front of Thompson Hall and we took pics in front of the UNH sign that sits in front of the doors.  Maybe one of these kiddos is a future alum?

 And then we continued on to Mousam Lake - and Natalie took this picture as we crossed into Maine.  Breakfast in Massachusetts, lunch in New Hampshire, dinner in Maine!  

Of course, as soon as we got there and got unpacked, we immediately went out in the pontoon boat!

The lake was pretty calm and there weren't a whole lot of people out (it was Friday so that accounted for some of it.)  

Grant was totally ready to go swimming, wearing his goggles on his forehead.

After a quick trip around the lake, we went back to do a little swimming off the dock.  They lowered the level of the lake last winter to work on the nearby dam, so everyone cleaned out the areas around their docks and put in sand.  The muck that used to be there was gross and creepy (and still exists farther out.)

Grant was so funny.  He saw the kayak and decided he wanted to try kayaking.  So he went over to the rack that's next to the shed and got the kayak down all by himself (it's a wonder he didn't hurt himself.)  Then he just hopped in and started kayaking!

I still couldn't believe he just went out and did this.  He did really well and never turned over!

The only downside of the new sandy beach and rocks are that there are some leeches in that area now, which Natalie found out the hard way.  

Of course, we had to get in a few good games of cornhole.  Me and Natalie vs. Todd and Grant.  Natalie was pretty good at it.

Grant though? Not so much. We celebrated when he finally got a beanbag on the board.

After grilling out a yummy dinner, Gordie set up the fire in the pit for some s'mores.

Ahhh, a relaxing end to a beautiful day on the lake.  Goodnight, Moon!

We woke up and everyone had a big breakfast before we went out in the pontoon boat again.  The kids have been begging to go tubing so here we go!

Grant's hair!

Having fun trying to hang on.

Uncle Gordie taking the kids for a ride around Mousam Lake.

Natalie up on her knees on the tube.

Grant said, "Wait, if you can do it, so can I!"

It was a beautiful, warm day on the lake - and there really weren't too many people out.  Probably because people aren't traveling too much right now.

AIRBORNE!

I liked Natalie's face - sheer joy! Or maybe she's screaming?  (No way, she loves this!)

Ha ha, Natalie fell off!  Hands up!

Finally the kids were tired, so we towed them back to the house to drop off the tube before we headed back out on the lake.

Route 109 separates upper Mousam Lake from lower Mousam Lake and it's a TIGHT fit here. 

We wore Grantie out tubing and he just laid his head on my shoulder to take a quick snooze.  Boats do that to me, too. I'm so comfortable and relaxed that I can fall right asleep.

We cruised all the way up to the most northern part of the lake where we decided we were hot and needed to jump into the lake to cool off.

Cooling off in the water gets a big thumbs up from Grant!

Oh you thought since we no longer lived in Europe he would stop doing this?

Bailey's in bathing suits with beers and their babies on a boat in a breeze.

On our way back, we had a planking challenge between Grant and Natalie, right before Helen decided she was going to throw her work phone, credit card and driver license overboard. 😬

Well, there's no retrieving the phone, so we might as well head back under the bridge.  It's so low that everyone can touch!

Still raising the roof even though we've exited the bridge!

We spent much of the rest of the afternoon lounging around in the water off the dock.

Grant did a bit more kayaking, even towing his dad on a tube behind him.

Natalie also tried some kayaking.  Please don't run over your brother, Natalie.

Not quite as confident as Grant, but I'm proud of her for trying!

Then there was the MOST EPIC game of Jenga EVER!  While tall Nauni had to squat to make her moves, Natalie had to eventually get on a chair to put her blocks on top.

It was a family battle between Natalie, Helen and Lauren!  Impressive squats, Helen!

This is where it got dicey for Nat because she was having trouble putting the block on top.  Shorty!

We had another fabulous fire going that evening-  Grant might be dancing here?

I ran down to the dock to get a nice quiet evening pic of the lake.

Meanwhile, Uncle Gordie, Nauni and Natalie were jamming out with some sparklers!

We were fortunate to get THREE great days of weather so of course, on Sunday we had to head out in the Supra!

Here we go!

The Supra isn't as tall as the pontoon boat, so no one could touch the bridge!

This girl is happy on a boat.

Some things NEVER change.  Grant always loved driving Uncle Gordie's boat, or Uncle Dave's boat, or Pop Pop's boat.  He still loves it!

We were disappointed with the crowds at Blueberry Island, which we renamed Covid Island... so we passed on a visit this year.

Of course, there was more lounging in tubes off the dock and a big bonfire after dinner (baked Ziti made by Lulu!)

Uncle Gordie and Grant having deep conversations about geography and history. (I'm not even kidding!)

Our last evening provided us with a beautiful Shapleigh, Maine sunset!

Grant always gives s'mores a thumbs up!  (Note to self, more chocolate and graham crackers next year!)

All good things must come to an end and on Monday morning, we had to head back to Massachusetts.  We had a blast at Mousam Lake and we won't let it be five years before we visit again!

Until next time, Mousam Lake!

June 2020 "Fun"

Although we are still in stay-at-home (the best you can) mode, we tried to have a little fun in the month of June.  Things opened up *a bit* in June up here in Massachusetts so we were able to do a bit more.

While unpacking, I came across this picture and I don't know what they are doing, but it appears they're trying to show everyone how to (or how not to, Grant) wear a mask.  They were cool before their time! Look at these little babies in their footie pajamas! So cute!!!

Then I found this in one of the boxes.  Grant had to make a list of 10 heroes (and he apparently couldn't even do that) when I think he was in 3rd grade because he had Mrs. Nell (see #3) in 3rd grade. I like that old neighbor Steve (who once saved him from an in-ground wasp nest) gets a nod here but not his own mother!

One thing we did in June was we finally sold Harry Highlander.  We bought him in 2009 before this kid was born so it's the only car he's ever known his dad to drive.

But we got something that was also cool!  A new-to-us Rav4!

Certain things in my garden are also blooming.  I do NOT have a green thumb so I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to do this!



But oh I have some beautiful peonies!

Meanwhile, the new house is slowly coming along. I like purple, much to Todd's chagrin. Yay purple and gray!

My friend Rick came over from Fort Drum to pick up some stuff we had for him. It was nice to see a familiar face from Vilseck again!  We concluded our short visit by sending him off with my grandmother's clock.  Another face palm.  Oh well, just another reason to see him again soon!

Our friend Michele did a delicious and terribly mean drop off of make-your-own cannolis, biscotti and Italian wedding cookies (with icing!)  We ate them all quickly, and never told the kids because we didn't want to share.

I'm not entirely sure why, but it turns out I have an entire large drawer dedicated to batteries.

So my friend Lisa posted this meme about mac and cheese in a wine glass with a Dino nugget and I laughed SUPER hard, because I always have these items in my house.  And naturally I made them for the kids, who thought I was crazy.

I have another peony that bloomed that was just SO pretty!



Some little critter (or larger critter) has been eating my plants.

And THEN.... one morning I spotted the culprit!  Stop eating my plants!

Meanwhile, my niece Greta lost both of her front teeth and it reminded me of the (not-so-long-ago) days when Natalie lost both of her front teeth!



This is my life.  So. Close.

I finally ordered some counter top stools and I love them.

We also ordered a new fridge because the other one sounded like a rocket was taking off in our kitchen.  Plus, it was our last non-stainless appliance so we had to get something that matched.

We don't really go anywhere, and neither do our neighbors, so all of the neighborhood kids had a big pizza party for the last day of  "school."

This is the kids real last day of school picture.  And our little neighbor Ava just wanted to be a part of it.  She's the cutest little thing.

First day of school in Auerbach vs. the last day of school in Ashland/Holliston.  Natalie grew more than Grant this year.

Then I found THIS picture.  Natalie's last day of kindergarten and her last day of 7th grade.   Still wearing a pink shirt.

I just want to thank my awesome orthodontist's Dr. Angermann and Dr. Rechl in Amberg for fixing my teeth!  They were really the best.  So patient with the Americans.  That really has nothing to do with the month of June, but I just wanted to throw this in there!



And THEN!  THEN we had a teenager in our house!!!!!  For her birthday, I bought her some Pop Tarts (which she doesn't get very often) and Todd decided to bake them into some large pancakes.

I tried one and it was pretty darn awesome.  Natalie loved them!

No way this is the same kid.  Look at that sweet little baby face. I remember thinking when she was born, "I wonder what she will look like when she's older?"  But the thing is - she looks the same.  Obviously different, but exactly the same.  It's hard to explain.  But I love this kid more than anything.

Uncle Coco, Auntie Brie, Greta, James and Hattie sent a little gift that Natalie almost cried over when she opened.  BTS's Map of the Soul 7 (one of the four versions!)

She also wanted a Nintendo Switch Lite, which she got!

Happy birthday Bugaboo.  Welcome to the teen years.

Wishes coming true for this sweet teenager.  She's probably wishing that BTS will still eventually have their concert in New Jersey so we can go with our friends Krissy and Lillianna!



Todd and I bought this funny little sign in Bayreuth the day we were there for his work Christmas party.  We stopped in the dollar store and went to town and this guy came home with us.

I'm going to try my VERY BEST to keep this garden the way it is now.  Don't get your hopes up.



I needed a big desk for my new job and we ordered one.  It was fun to watch Todd put it together. I only had to help minimally.

We renewed our BJ's membership now that we are in a home and finally have a big freezer in the garage (which we haven't seen since 2015!)  But ... BJ's, no!  That is disgusting! Orange Fanta pudding?????  Ahhhh, did any of us miss the weird indulgences of America?

Had to see my girlies of course.  Heather and I went to Sara and Michele's house one evening - and Dexter might be one of the silliest dogs ever.

But Dex decided he loved Heather and needed to be near her.  We also enjoyed a long walk and some cocktails!  Everyone brought their own dinner, too.

Also, I got Todd this ring game for his birthday, but since we have vinyl siding, I wasn't sure where we were going to put it.  Todd knew exactly how to rig it and now we have the ring game at our house, which we have loved ever since we played it incessantly at the Red Lion in Indian Rocks Beach!  Todd brought it to the front yard to show our neighbor Brendan how it works!

Oh right, there's still Covid-19 out there.  How's America doing? NOT WELL.

Massachusetts, on the other hand, is doing okay.  So we planned a big celebration at our house for JUST Todd's family.  Helen had a birthday in May, we had Mother's Day, we had Father's Day, we had Bean's birthday and Natalie's birthday, and Lauren graduated TOP OF HER CLASS from MMA with her master's degree.  We thought we would just have an outdoor party at our house, with everyone sitting far apart.  I made a guest bathroom that no one else could use.  We had paper plates and plastic silverware.  I made this AMAZING blueberry lemon zucchini cake.  And then... it rained most of the day.

Todd's brother Steve even sent us a huge cake and an assortment of incredible cookies from a great bakery in Framingham.

The kids played outside with GoGo and Anna, beating around balloons with pool noodles.  Great idea, KK!

At one point, I found my inlaws here.... which my mother-in-law declared was the old people's home, and Kathleen was the director!  Funny- they gave us those chairs!

Then everyone opened presents.  Everyone did their best to stay socially distant (Gordie is Lauren's dad, so they don't have to.)

SO cute. The summer before we moved to Germany, GoGo graduated from college, and Lauren graduated from high school, so we went to their house for a party.  Now we celebrate LuLu graduating with her master's - and these two cousins can't stop dancing together.



That night, we sat out on the back deck after the rain ended and played games, just the four of us.  And the kids and I took this cool picture from the back deck!

Natalie has been begging to have bangs, but she has a huge cowlick in her bang line so I just don't think it will ever be possible.  Instead, she pretended to have bangs!  She looks cute either way!

Lastly, we got a new pet!  Or, I should say... Natalie got a new pet.  This is Jinsoul, her new beta fish.  Welcome to the family, Jinsoul!

And we're on to July!