Summer Vacation 2014 - Part 1

For the 4th of July this year, we were very fortunate to house sit for a friend of ours and spend some time up on Sunset Lake in Hampstead, N.H.

We had an absolutely wonderful time!  No schedules.   No alarm clocks.   Just falling asleep to the windows open and listening to the sounds of the waves crash on the shoreline.  Free therapy.   It's amazing!

The girls certainly slept very well during our time in Hampstead!

Summer Selfie

I thought it was only fair to get a selfie with both my girls today in honor of Samantha's 7th Birthday!

It was a beautiful morning and the sky was full of perfect clouds.

July 4, 2013

For the first time in 9 years, we celebrated July 4th up in Maine at my Brother in law, and Sister in law's home.  They hosted a cookout complete with food, family, friends and of course:  FIREWORKS!

So we started off the day with some strawberry picking:

Then my sister in law made a Birthday cake for Samantha's Birthday.  (Samantha requested "rainbows")

The Madore-ables were introduced to Sparklers.

(Massachusetts outlaws all pyrotechnic product, so it was fun to try in Maine)

The girls loved playing with most of their cousins all afternoon.

(We were missing 9 cousins on this day)

Once the sun went down, the pyrotechnic fun began!

(photography taken by Captured in Moments)

The following day, we were very fortunate to get to do some things that we don't normally get to do.  First, we went out to breakfast with another brother in law and sister in law.  Then we were in for a big treat.  We were invited out to watch my SIL practice the organ at Saint Peter's Basilica in Lewiston, Maine.  So we were able to spend some time alone in the basilica and listening to the sweet sound of a pipe organ.  Just sent shivers down my spine.  The moment was just so beautiful and wonderful.

After the basilica, we were able to go out with my in laws and play some mini-golf.  My good Lord was it HOT!  Nonetheless, it didn't spoil our fun!

Samantha's Birthday - Part 2

This past weekend, we held Samantha's 5th Birthday party with her friends and family.  Sam was so excited to have her Godfather, Andre come down for an unexpected visit.  Plus, she loved the fact that she had two of her very good friends from her class there too.  Mommy and Daddy loved the fact that there was beautiful Summer weather and great company to spend the day with!

Sarah was happy that she could hang out with her friends and Samantha's friends too!



Sarah splashing around with her friend Shannon

The cake

The GORGEOUS (and very yummy too I may add) cake made by Nicole. 
Samantha was in awe.

Blowing out the candles

Samantha and her friend Kae

Samantha received some really fun Birthday cards this year...

Sam's BFF's from her preschool class : )

After everyone went home, Samantha wanted to use her new roller blades.

Happy Birthday to our beautiful 5 year old girl :  )

Samantha's Birthday - Part 1

Samantha turned 5 this past Tuesday, July 3rd.  It was a beautiful day out, so we went to the playground in the morning (where Miss Maddie made several sand pies for Sam) and then we followed up with a short lived trip to the beach (don't ask why it was short lived).  Then afterwards, we had my father over for dinner and had cake and ice cream with a few presents for Sam. 

After dinner, our town launced their fireworks off that night, so we invited several of our friends over and we tailgated in our driveway to watch them light up the sky.  Such a fun night!

(Sarah chose Samantha's Birthday balloon.  She was SO proud!)



(Sam chose her Birthday cake this year.  She's going through a pink and purple phase right now)

Sarah singing "Happy Birthday" to Samantha

Sarah wrote Sam's name on the envelope

Samantha reading the Birthday card that Sarah chose for her.

(Samantha's laughing because the card has monkeys dancing all over the card)

Sam and Sarah sitting with Samantha's friend, Kae from preschool during the fireworks

(I LOVE all of their expressions)

Our Mini-Vacation in Rangely, Maine

This was one of the views that we were "forced" to see last weekend.

Want to see another one?

Yeah. We had these views outside every window inside the cabin. It's a rough life, but someone's got to live it. Fortunately, we were able to live that last weekend.

Last Sunday right after Samantha's Birthday party, the Madore-ables, Jeremy and I drove 4 hours north to Rangely, Maine to spend the weekend with Jeremy's family who was also on vacation. Sure, we arrived super late, but isn't that part of the whole vacation experience? The girls did AMAZING on the trip up. We sang every verse of Old MacDonald Had a Farm and made up new silly versions of other songs. The girls stayed awake until about just 30 minutes before we arrived. I was able to run inside make up the girls beds real quick, and just transfered them from the car right to bed.

We stayed from Sunday night to Tuesday afternoon. Jeremy's family took turns coming and staying over night, so we were able to see most of the family which was very nice. The Madore-ables loved playing with their cousins.

We played outside to our hearts content with 0 raindrops. We toasted marshmallows. Jeremy's oldest brother, Ethan brought his motor boat up and we were able to have a ride around Rangely Lake. The girls LOVED it!

The only thing we weren't prepared for:

THE BUGS!!!


We were prepared however to:


Relax in the hammock


Play the guitar a little with Uncle Andre


Go hiking to Angel Falls

Celebrate more of Samantha's birthday!

(Special thank you's to Auntie Jessica who made Samantha's cake.)

Sarah was prepared to learn new things:

She found out what a squirt gun is!

Sarah was prepared to play outside all day in the yard and the beach to make sand castles.

My Madore-ables loved playing with their cousins. It's not often that we get together, so when we do, we make sure we go all out and have a BLAST.