Cape Cod- June 2015

The kids were extremely excited to go to the Cape. Specifically, James was very excited to go see Grandma and his "best friend" Ellen. Miranda didn't totally understand what was going on, but she knows that suitcases mean someone is going somewhere, so she decided to spend the entire day sitting in the suitcase so that no one could leave without her. In an act of solidarity, James joined her.

M and J's reaction to a suitcase.

I wish Miranda's enthusiasm had carried over to the actual car ride though. She cried so much in one leg of the trip that we had to pull over to pacify her. And then she thanked us like this:

Smart ass.

But at last we made it! This was a big trip because my mom also joined us, and together we went to Truro for my Grandmother Catherine's very belated memorial service. She passed away in December, but the family agreed it was best to do the service over the summer. We had a full Catholic mass, I did the eulogy, and her other three grandkids Graham, Rachel, and Griffin did some bible readings. Afterwards we went to the cemetery to place her in the family plot with Grandpa Jim, and Uncle Kevin.

Our contingent before we left for Truro

Grandma Catherine's family: Maura, Rachel, Graham, me Richard, mom, Elaine and Griffin

That took the better part of Saturday but we had until Monday at dinner to enjoy the Cape. Aunt Nesie, Aunt Mary, and Great Great-grandma Ruth babysat for us, we had lunch with my mom, hiking with Kevin's mom, and the kids spent lots of time at the pond.

Aunt Nesie showing Miranda how to pet Harry

Aunt Mary snuggling the kids

Great Grandma Ruth attacks with a teddy bear!

A little quality time with Nana on the deck

Hiking with Grandma

Lots of time at the pond on different days:

James and Ellen sitting on the water (adorable)

Miranda rocking her new bathing suit

Drying off at the pond

We also got to visit with Uncle Steve, Uncle Chris, and a few of Grandma's friends on the Cape. And James got to play with Ellen every day we were there. A very busy trip!

Uncle Chris entertaining Miranda

Miranda, James, and Ellen playing with Grandma's mini iPad

Playing doctor

Rachel's College Graduation 2015

My cousin Rachel graduated from Virginia Tech! Congratulations, Rachel!

Aunt Maura, Rachel, and Uncle Nick

With her brother Graham who graduated VT in 2013

Graham's College Graduation 2013

My cousin Graham graduated Virginia Tech! Congratulations buddy!

Aunt Maura, Rachel, Graham, Uncle Nick

Visiting Allison and Dan in Cape Elizabeth 2012

Our friends Allison and Dan moved to Maine after they got married. At first, it seemed impossibly far away, but then Allison pointed out that she was only 2 hours from Boston, and that Dan commutes to work in Boston a couple times a week. So, we all piled into our two-door car (my own circle of hell) and off we went to Maine. You don't have to tell the Clous twice to come visit you! Allison and Dan have a beautiful house in a beautiful town.

Allison not only took us to the sites, but we ate lobster rolls twice. She certainly knows the way to our heart! We spent some time in Cape Elizabeth and some time in Portland. We went to the Fort Williams Park and the lobster roll food truck there (yum), the Portland Head Light, Two Lights, Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth.

James, Allison, and me in front of Casco Bay

In front of the Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth, ME

James loves Maine!

Strolling around Fort Williams Park

Yeah, they get to live here, all the time.

Dan, trying to get some work done on the back porch

In Portland, we got delicious sandwiches at Duckfat and took them to Fort Allen Park to picnic.  We also made a stop at Shipyard Brewery. There aren't any photos of our lovely picnic in the park because I spent a little while chasing James around and trying to keep him from bashing himself on the many cement monuments.  Mercifully, Kevin and Dan took James back for a nap so Allison and I could enjoy the rest of the afternoon. We also got some amazing licorice gelato at Gorgeous Gelato in Portland.  Apparently there is quite the gelato rivalry in Portland, and Allison is committed to Gorgeous, so I won't threaten our friendship by mentioning the name of the competition. Suffice to say, I didn't try the other gelato place.

Fort Allen Park in Portland, ME

We didn't have to venture far from the house for lovely sights and activities though. For one thing, Allison flattered me by asking me to take photos of her family. I might have liked this better than lobster rolls (but maybe less than gelato). We went on a long walk with James through a path in the woods near her house. Kevin even went on a longer walk/hike in a different part of the same woods (sans James).  They also live near a a scenic rocky beach.  We would have stayed longer, but you know, James tried to eat the rocks. Thank you for all your wonderful hospitality, Allison and Dan!

Allison and Dan volunteered themselves for an Ericka-style photo shoot

Beautiful walking path near the house

Allison, James and I at the beach

Failed attempt at a family photo- but we have a lot of those

Photo bomb! And it's a better (accidental) family photo!

Coco got her own shoot too