Staying Busy

Well, we have begun that time of year. It is getting cooler out, the sun goes to sleep just a little earlier, there are apples and pumpkins everywhere, and the kids have returned to school. It must be FALL!! Yup, and those lazy days of summer that Colby and I enjoyed together are gone. Back to school for both of us. But we have many happy memories to hold on to.

This was a summer full of books, camping, two trips to New Hampshire, and lots of changes. Both Colby and I started new schools this year. Colby entered Kindergarten. And in the midst of it, we moved. Not too far away but just enough to change a few things. Colby won't be dropped off with his Grandma Laurie in the afternoon anymore and I kow both of them will miss their times together. We were lucky to find a great afterschool program and Colby has made friends there that are also in his Kindergarten class. He is settling in nicely to the new school routine although he is VERY tired everynight. Kindergarten is much tougher than PreK you know! We asked Colby if he told his teacher he could read and he said rather matter of factly, "No. Then she'll make me work." Oh boy! But thankfully he really likes school still and he keeps learning more and more everyday. I just love our conversations.

I am settling into my new job with all its new responsibilities. The teachers I work with are great and were very welcoming. The little kids are so cute and really starving for attention and love. I know I'll love opening up the world of reading and the many adventures we can take through books. However, I do miss my reading partner from last year. We worked well together. Thankfully she lives nearby and we can get together soon.

Ok. Photos. Here are a few great photos from our last summer trip to New Hampshire over Labor Day Weekend. It was nice to have my parents, my sister Kristin, Steve, and her son Teddy, my sister Karin and her boys Max and Alex, and Mike, Colby, and I all together. We don't get together often so it was nice to have the 4 boys together. I know they missed their cousin Keith though. It was a beautiful weekend of boats, tubing, shopping, and just relaxing. And now we look forward to fall and the many local fairs, apple picking, and more parties.

Our Mini Vacation to New Hampshire

Last week Colby and I went to New Hampshire. Mike had to work so this was the first time Colby went somewhere with ust one of us. We went for just a few days. My parents also went and they took two of my nephews, Keith (age5) and Alex (age 9). My mom and I brought the three boys to StoryLand one day and then the next day the boys stayed in the lake swimming and fishing with my dad. They actually caught a few little fish and 1 really big one! The trip was a nice reprieve from all of the packing. Speaking of which, we have a tentative closing on both houses on Aug 3rd. I can't wait. Living in this maze of boxes is driving me crazy! Plus the uncertainty of the move has really caused some acting out on Colby's part. So much is changing and he is taking it all in stride for the most part. But, I think he is nervous about it. Right now we live right up the road from Mike's parents and his mom watched Colby most days after school. I think they will both miss that time together a lot. We will definitely have to come visit both sets of grandparents a lot. And they can visit anytime too. We'll have a nice big backyard for cookouts in the summer and just relaxing. We're already thinking about a September party. Anyone want to come???

Just a few NH pics:

Our Trip to Lake Winnepasaukee

Mike, Colby, and I took our first overnight trip as a family. We went to New Hampshire to Lake Winnepasaukee. I have been going there since I was a little kid. My mom's parents have a house there right on the lake in Alton. Now my parents have a house right down the street from Mamie and Poppy's. So I was thrilled to bring Colby there over the July 4th weekend. We left on Thurs and came home on Sunday. The weather wasn't the best but we had great company. My sister Kristin, her son Teddy (age 13), and her boyfriend Steve as well as my brother Keith and his son Keith (age 2, just 2 months younger than Colby) went up there too.

We had a great time just relaxing, watching a few thunderstorms go by, and playing cards and dominoes. The thunderstorms are really neat to watch develop on the water. The water stops flowing into the bay and starts to flow out to the lake. The lake is huge and the storms blow up white capped waves and the wind was howling. The storm stayed off to our left but we could see the rain and lightning. Pretty cool stuff.

The boys had a lot of fun together. Colby and Keith really hit it off and played really well together. It was nice to have another little one around to keep Colby busy. We were able to chat with my sister and brother and just catch up. Colby loved the water but Keith wasn't so sure. My little water bug even threw a fit when we took him out. Ugh! So, enjoy a few photos....I certainly took plenty!

Teddy's big catch, a 16 1/2 inch small-mouth bass.

Aunt Kristin and Colby playing in the water.

Colby and Keith making/destroying sand castles.

Colby the water bug. Look at that little belly.

Uncle Keith, Colby, and Keith making sand castles.

Colby and Keith sharing baseball hats.

Two cute kids.....Colby and Keith.

Relaxing Weekend

Mike and I had a great weekend. We brought his parents up to New Hampshire to my grandparents' house on Lake Winnipesaukee. My parents also have a house there, right down the road from my grandparents'. My parents were there as were my brother Keith, his wife Allyson, and their 1 year old son Keith. It was a nice, relaxing long weekend. We drove up on Friday after work and came home on Monday around lunch time. On Saturday we brought Mike's parents to Castle in the Clouds. It is an old mansion that was built in the Ossipee Mountains in 1914 for $1 million at that time. It is beautiful. You need to drive up the mountain about 2 miles to the carriage house and then take a short trolley ride or walk to the main castle. The scenery was beautiful and Mike's parents seemed to enjoy the ride. I was hoping to drive around the lake but we went back to the house instead. At night Mike, his mom, and I played dominoes after we all went to dinner. Sunday we went out to breakfast and stayed around the house. We enjoyed the peaceful sound of the waves, they were huge this weekend, and I read my book. Mike and I drove into Alton Bay to the craft fair and just to walk around.

Overall, the weekend was great. It was relaxing, something Mike and I certainly needed. We have been struggling hard to finish the adoption paperwork and the weekend away was perfect. When we came home, we found the last paper that we needed had come in the mail. I now need to bring that and my employment letter to Hartford to be apostilled tomorrow. The department will do 1 or 2 papers while you wait. So, our paperwork should be done tomorrow! I will definitely let you all know as soon as it is sent out. Then we need to wait, sort of patiently, for the paperwork to be translated and then see what the judge wants updated. So, we are slowly moving ahead. YEAH!!!