August Garden

The garden is going strong, especially now that we've had some sun to complement the rain. We added two more beds this year for a total of five. We're experimenting with different kinds of pumpkins, beans, squash, carrots, and peas. In deference to Doug's taste for standard tomatoes, we're only growing regular varieties this year.

The girls are both great helpers, and were very involved with the girls beginning with starting seeds in the spring. They love to go out with bowls in the afternoon and look for new vegetables growing and to pick whatever is ready (or close). They're having a hard time letting the carrots get big!

Here's a look at what the girls and I picked one day last week:

Five Years

To celebrate our fifth anniversary, we hiked to a hut in Carrabasset Valley on the new Maine Huts & Trails system for an overnight. The hut is a short hike from Poplar Stream falls where we stopped for our first snack on our way out today. Hiking each way was a two-snack hike (about 2.5 miles), and the girls did a fantastic job.

The facility is completely off the grid, and they were very nice about showing us around and explaining all the systems (the photovoltaic panel is above, with the girls for scale). We also had fantastic meals and a fun time sleeping in bunkbeds. Moriah called around at bedtime to make sure that we could all hear each other.

We finished up the trip with a stop at the scene of the crime, I mean the ceremony.

Free Range

Mother and baby moose trailside on Saddleback a few days ago. Moriah was a little bit frightened by their size, and Bridget was very curious.

We probably only got halfway up the ski slope, but there are fantastic views from there. This is a two snack hike, with lots of running on the way down once we got past the steep part.

Doug forgot his sunhat, but pulled through stylishly so the four of us could enjoy an afternoon canoe ride. Saddleback in the background. He said that there haven't been enough pictures of him in the blog. Go figure...
I can only hope to get some of our other recent adventures ready to share, but it's not looking good with sun in the forecast and two hikes planned for next week!

Navigators

Moriah and Bridget were very enthusiastic about hiking in Acadia this summer. They loved telling me what the signs said (usually that it was time for a snack), wearing their backpacks, and taking turns being the leader. The signpost above is at Jordan Pond.

Below they are taking in the view from the top of South Bubble. It was an incredibly windy day, so we retreated to a more sheltered spot for snack.

Tri time

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of visiting Brendan and Nadelle to join them for a triathlon in Door County. We had a great time, and I was thrilled just to finish the race! I'll have to train harder to try and keep up with them next year, wherever we decide to go.

Family resemblance much?

Seaweed

Acadia 08

A bit of this: Some of that:

Lots of this:
= happiness.

Hard Work

This week, I've had to go here:

and here (the pond is up in the saddle to the left of the high peak):

Hard work, but someone has to do it.

Lunch at the lake

Today was one of those perfect June days: warm, sunny, a little bit breezy. The perfect day to pack lunch up and take it to the lake. Eating between splashing, jumping, and digging, the girls had a grand time and I was able to get my first outdoor swim of the year in.

Rain, rain go away

We'll get our boots on to stomp in the puddles, but we're looking forward to running in the sunshine again soon.

Crazies

With the end of the school year, we have to say goodbye to a great friend. Claire was a fantastic caregiver for the girls and their buddy Carson this year. The girls looked forward to each and every visit with her, and she made sure that she brought plenty of crazies with her to share! She's left behind some other funny little expressions that pop up in conversation.

We feel so fortunate to have such great people spending time with the girls. The students that they interact with at nursery school, playgroup, and especially at home are all fantastic, but Claire has really been outstanding. We wish her good luck in the coming year, and hope that she can come back for a quick visit in the fall!

When the Cat's Away

While Doug was having a grand time in Newfoundland, the girls and I treated ourselves to all kinds of field trips closer to home. Last week, a friend called to let me know that there were brand-new twins at her place. Twin kids. Goats, that is. We don't have any pictures of the new arrivals, whom we visited the next day, but the girls loved seeing them walk a bit inside the barn. Outside, they intently watched the chicks, hens, and older goats.

Asking for a smile is rewarded with this:

Make Way for Ducklings

A springtime classic! As enormous fans of the book, today was a very special trip to Boston. Can you find us on the swanboat ride?

With the duck statues:

Watching the swanboat tour and the REAL ducklings and Mr. and Mrs. Mallard! This is the best time of year to visit - the story comes absolutely alive.

Bridget, Then and Now

Bridget, 1.5 years:

Bridget, 3.5 years, her "happy face:


Bridget, 3.5 years, more naturally happy:

Moriah, Then and Now

About 1.5 years

About 3.5 years

Sprung

We've been too busy running around the yard to add any new photos. Spring is definitely here!

Portrait of the Artists as Young Girls

Self-portraits are all the rage around here these days. Bridget has been working on lots at home with crayons, carefully picking out the proper colors for hair and eyes.