Horseback riding lessons

Liv and Chevy have become fast friends.  I was impressed at how quickly Olivia felt confident riding.  We all had fun watching.

An interesting fact is that Brad is very allergic to horses. When we get home, Liv changes in the garage, washes her hands and takes all of her clothes directly up to the washing machine and washes them.

Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory

And Fort Knox

Grandma and Papa's visit: part 1

My mom flew in the day after her birthday, and we had a party for her

Grandma granted Beckham's every wish.  Including putting his shoes on this bear, and reading him every story in the house at least 5 times.  She must have read him 30 stories a day.  "Gramma. . .ree-da-book pees Gramma."

We worked on (and almost finished) the quilt the girls put together with my mom this summer.  They hand appliqued all of the stars on top and have sewn all of the binding on themselves.  It's pretty adorable!

Grandma got a few beautiful make-overs.  This one was the most tame of the two.

We sketched together

 

My dad arrived on Thursday and he walked them to the school bus every day.  They sure thought that was a treat.

And My mom read a book to Olivia's class.  One of Liv's favorite things.

Grandma and Papa's visit

We said goodbye to my parents yesterday.  They are the best ever.  I adore them.  And so does the rest of my family.  They were here for 10 days and we had a perfect time together.  Let me show you what it is like to have them around, and why we wish, more than anything, that they lived next door. 

We all (including Beckham) shed some tears when it came time to say, "Goodbye."

Katahdin!

Our day started out at 4:00 a.m.  We met up with friends (Bridgette and Gary, and Amy and Glen),  drove 2 hours north to Baxter State Park and started our day long journey up Mount Katahdin.  It was a perfectly clear day, and I was reminded how much I LOVE hiking mountains.  There is something so energizing about seeing the world from the top.  Our views were breathtaking and the trails we took were perfect.  We hiked up the Saddle trail first, then ascended to the peak, we made our descent on the Hamlin trail (which was my favorite part).  We had the Hamlin trail mostly to ourselves and it provided amazing views.  I felt on top of the world!  One of the best parts was going with friends, accomplishing it together, and laughing the whole way through.

A few tidbits:

• We arrived at the top at the same time as a man who was just finishing the Appalachian Trail!  He started in Georgia on April 10th!  It was neat to take part in his accomplishment!
• I stewed about what to bring with us.  We were perfectly packed.  I was wearing: long johns, exercise pants, T-shirt, zip up sweatshirt, and I had a long john top, rain coat, gloves, hat and extra fleece packed.  I never used the long john top, hat or extra fleece (Although I think it was smart to have them just in case). 
• We had a YUMMY home made trail mix: Dry roasted peanuts, Peanut Butter M&Ms, Pecans, and raisins.  We also packed peanut butter sandwiches, beef jerky, figs, 2 oranges, and fiber one bars as back up.  
• Next time, I would bring pepperoni and cheese and more fruit.  We definitely had too much trail mix and never touched the fiber one bars.
• Our plan had been to hike up Cathedral, and then do Knife's Edge.  Both were closed because of ice which had formed in the cold front the day before.
• Brad carried the camera and took almost all of our pictures {that was a fun change =0) }