Reflecting on 2012 on New Year's Day...

   
     Well, I may be a day late (and a dollar short), but this ol' blog helps me reflect on the days, weeks, months, and now even years gone by.  Although I haven't been as disciplined about capturing everything I would like, I do love all the connections I have made, pictures I would not have otherwise taken, and memories captured here.  I am definitely going to keep at it!!

     2012 was a good year and a pretty busy year.  Here are some highlights:

     We went on a family trip to the Scottsdale and Sedona, Arizona areas which I blogged about here.  We love Arizona and had a great time!!

     There were, of course, several things that came up with regard to my mom and caring for her.  One of the more alarming days was when I picked her up for a doctor's appointment and found what she had done to her hair.  I am sure my blood pressure was through the roof that day.  Then, there was the call I received when she fell and was taken to the hospital while I was up north with my family.  That was scary and has a sense of deja vu to it.  I think a lot of us remember this past summer as being especially HOT HOT HOT!!  We got a surprise call that the power was out at my mom's senior apartment complex, so Grandma came over for a sleepover with us and we helped her "keep cool".  We were also very happy to celebrate her one year anniversary of living at her senior living apartment.  There were times we were not sure it would work.

     I was proud and lucky enough to travel to Orlando, FL to see Megan perform with the high school marching band at the Magic Kingdom at Disney World.  It was a fun getaway and a once in a lifetime trip for Megan.  Megan also survived her freshman year of high school and hasn't looked back.  She also took driver's ed and is driving with a permit.  She was very busy with soccer, marching band and her heavy class load.
     Jacob and Kristin turned 12 in June and had a small celebration with some friends.  They survived their first year of middle school, played soccer, volleyball, and football, and kept good grades during an extra busy fall.
     We did not get to our place up north as much as we would have liked.  However, we did have a great time when we did as shown here and here.
     The highlight of our summer was traveling to the East Coast for a family visit.  The weather was noticeably cooler and more bearable and we all had a great time!!
     All of the kids and the parents were exceptionally busy during September and October.  The past four months have gone by super fast.  You can always check out what Megan was up to.  Megan remains a very responsibly student.  She loves anything to do with One Direction (obsessed) or music and her friends from school.  Jacob kept busy, too and enjoyed his first year of middle school football.  He has developed quite a sense of humor and I am enjoying watching him become a young man who is also smart, polite and sensitive.  Kristin is always happiest hanging out with friends, but kept super busy with soccer and volleyball this past fall.  She is kind hearted, diplomatic, and has become quite creative with her arts and crafts this past year.  We laugh together a lot!
     Once November hit, things really went by fast preparing for the holidays, going to concerts, a visit from my mother-in-law, and some post season football games.  It's all been quite a ride and we look forward to a clean slate in 2013 and making the most of all the new year has to offer!!!

     Looking forward to following you on your journey, too!!

 

 

Silence and Support...

Click here to donate
 http://www.newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org/donate.php

The organization is called The Newtown Youth and Family Services.   Here is the official description of the support service we are donating to:

"Newtown Youth and Family Services, Inc. is a licensed, non-profit, mental health clinic and youth services bureau dedicated to helping children and families achieve their highest potential. NYFS provides programs, services, activities, counseling, support groups and education throughout the Greater Newtown area.

ANY DONATIONS MADE TO NEWTOWN YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES WILL BE DONATED DIRECTLY TO THOSE EFFECTED BY THE SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING."

Live, Love, .......What???

     I know I posted quite a bit about our trip to the East Coast, and even though we've been back for a week I wanted to share one more thing -- a souvenir I picked up in Bar Harbor, Maine at a shop called "Bark Harbor" (how cute is that name?).
     As our beloved Lucky was back home hanging out with his pals at Canine College, I knew we had to bring him back something special but not your run of the mill dog toy -- something that signified our trip.  I saw this red rope lobster and had to have it as the Lucky dog loves all things rope!  I didn't even look at the price, but when my husband paid for it, he gave me a look!!  (ok, it was a little pricey....ha!)  (Maybe I can find out how to make one on Pinterest!!??)

     As you can see, Lucky loves his lobster -- and I also picked up a magnet for myself!! 

 (Maybe I should rename my blog!!??)

Living, Loving....Lobstering??

East Coast 2012 - Lobsters & Lighthouses

     Probably my two favorite things about Maine are -- say it with me -- Lobsters and Lighthouses!!  Not necessarily in that order...but probably in that order!!
     Obviously, lobster is a big industry for Maine and it is evident pretty much everywhere you turn.  Even when we visited in November a few years ago, we were able to purchase fresh lobster along the coast.  This trip I had lobster every day we were there and so did my husband!!  Not doing so would be like going to Italy and not having pasta every day, right!?  My oldest, Megan, also liked the lobster rolls.  When you see lobster boats and lobster traps at the restaurant -- ya know it's gonna be fresh. 
     I was secretly fascinated by the whole industry and actually never knew that all those colorful little "buoy things" out in the ocean and in the harbor are actually where lobster traps have been set.  Each buoy has a different color and design on it which is registered and represents a particular lobsterman.  Apparently, it is highly illegal to make any contact with a trap that is not your own.  

Boothbay Harbor -- Colorful Lobster Traps

     As for the lighthouses, we have them in Michigan, too.  I found them to be really beautiful and photographed the three below in the Boothbay Harbor area while on our whale watch tour.  Yes, they all have names and history to go along with them, but you're not going to make me remember all that are you??  I believe most are now solar powered and automated...no more lighthouse keepers.

      Who likes lobster??  Who likes lighthouses??

Now that's fresh!

Boothbay Lobster Wharf

A Typical Lobster Shop, Boothbay Harbor, ME

Lobster Gear Floating in the Harbor

My Lobster Roll at Geddy's in Bar Harbor (my second favorite)

Geddy's, Bar Harbor

Lobstaah Megan!

Along the streets of Bar Harbor

Lobster Roll, Boothbay Lobster Wharf, my #1 favorite

Our Gas Stations Have Hot Dogs, They Have Lobster Rolls!

Silent Sunday - East Coast 2012

Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine

July 22, 2012

East Coast 2012 - Acadia & Bar Harbor

     Another place we wanted to check out during our visit was Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine.  I did not know much about it other than it was a scenic national park which overlooks the coast.  After being there, I can tell you it would be a dream for biking and hiking.  Our time was limited as we drove about 2.5 hours each way just to get to Acadia.  Once we entered the park, we concentrated on the Cadillac Mountain area and stopped at only about four "points" of interest.
     All of the views as well as the drive itself are incredibly scenic and likely a photographer's dream.  The only way I can describe it would be like the Grand Canyon of the East Coast.  You could probably make a week of it and stll not see all there is to see!!  Very worthwhile and the kids loved it, too!!
     I believe Martha Stewart still has a place in Bar Harbor -- and if I had my way -- we would have stayed until we found her place or her!!!!!!  Also great shopping and nightlife in Bar Harbor!!

Kristin and Duncan

The Grandkids (minus 4)

Makes me nervous!

Pretty

Thunder Hole - Waiting for the Right Size Wave
(sometimes waves shoot 40 ft. into the air and cause the sound of "thunder")

The Jake

Acadia View

Acadia

Bar Habor (Baah Haabah)

Bar Habor Shopping

East Coast 2012 - A Haabah (Harbor) & A Whale

     I know, yesterday's post was positively spine tingling, right!? 

     Almost five years ago, my mother-in-law had a house built in Maine, next to my husband's brother and family.  After formerly living in nearby Ohio and in Michigan, we were sad to see her move that far away as we knew we would not see her as much.  It is a good 15 hour drive and it is not always easy to find convenient affordable flights to the nearest airport in Maine.  Almost three years ago, we drove out in November for Thanksgiving.  It was quite cold and we were pressed for time as the kids only had a couple of days off of school.  I knew some day we should go back in the summertime and this was the summer!!*

     We arrived mid-afternoon last Friday at my mother-in-law's house.  Shortly after, she had a nice home cooked dinner for us where we were joined by my brother-in-law and his two sons, Cole (7) and Duncan (5). 

Nannie's House

Jacob, Duncan and Cole After Playing Soccer

     The next day we had our sights set on Boothbay Harbor.  We had been there once before eleven years ago for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law's wedding.  It was beautiful, but the twins were then only 15 months old and Megan had just turned 4 years old.  Not the best time to be tourists.  (it was also shortly after 9-11 and those times were unsettling for travel).  We knew we wanted to go back there someday when we would have more time to appreciate it.  Before we left home, I had decided on the possibility of going on a whale watching boat trip as I thought it would make it more exciting for the kids.  We decided to take the 1:30 pm whale watch.  After getting our tickets, we just barely had time for a quick lunch.  We ended up at the Boothbay Lobster Wharf which ultimately ended up being my favorite of all places for lobster rolls!!  (If you like lobstah -- you must have a lobstah roll -- I will probably do a whole post about lobster!)
     We boarded the "Pink Lady" and found the whale watch to be extremely picturesque (whales or no whales.  We got lucky as the water was uncharacteristically calm that day and the temp was perfect - around 78-80 degrees.  The boats, the birds, the water, the lighthouses were all beautiful!  It is about a 3-hour trip and we did not see any whales, but never fear!!  Cap'n Fish's guarantees you will see whales!  So, we went back for a repeat (free) whale watch a couple days later.  Although the water was a little more rough the second time (which I found kind of fun), it was worth it because we found the whales!!  For me, it is hard to comprehend that after a lifetime of aquariums, some scuba diving and snorkeling, Sea World, etc...., this was the first time any of us had ever come across whales in their natural habitat!!  There are many types of whales that hang out along the coast of Maine.  Everyone on the boat is supposed to be on watch for them.  Once there is a siting, the Captain then slows the boat and we "watch".  If you spot anything, you are to shout out "Whale 3 o'clock" or whatever...  My kids got a much better look at the whales than I did.  (I chose not to knock people over to see them.)  I also think it is very difficult to get a picture, as they only come up briefly for air.  That said, somehow Kristin managed a shot on her iPod Touch (see last pic below).  She cropped in the whale, as it was a further distance from our boat than the picture shows.   
     In addition to many different types of harbor tours, Boothbay also offers great shopping and other attractions as well.  Unfortunately (with the possible exception of my daughters) we were not with a shopping kind of crowd.  However, we did manage to go to a few stores.  If you're ever in the area or just looking for somewhere to visit -- this is a great great place!! 

Living, Laughing, Loving

Buying our Whale Watch Tickets

My favorite place for fresh lobster rolls -- Y-U-M!!

Lunch Menu at Boothbay Lobster Wharf

Lobstahs (Lobsters) Fresh from the Haabah (Harbor)

One of Many Great Views From Boothbay Lobster Wharf Restaurant Deck

The "Pink Lady" Whale Watching Boat Tour
(Jacob and Kristin with their Nannie from Maine)

Kristin is a good whale watcher!!
(ps...the one to the right is just a flag!!)

Another View from Boothbay Lobster Wharf

Our Minke Whale sited July 23, 2012
Cap'n Fish Whale Watch, Boothbay Harbor, Maine

*  I took almost 500 pictures (waaaay more than I ever have on any vacation) so it is difficult to limit my posts!  The scenery along the coast is fabulouso!