July 2017 -- Summer is HERE!

July 4th at Little Sebago Lake, ME

We kicked off July celebrating the 4th of July with our close friends at Little Sebago Lake. This is one of our favorite weekends out of the year!! Messy buns, no make up, sleeping in, GREAT food, MANY laughs… BEST memories! We are the outlaws — husbands brought us together thru their college bonds made years ago. Call me lucky!

With Chris’s work schedule, “date night” is often challenging to fit in… the kids however, plan our date nights for us. ~ Date Night IN ~Tonight we had full service. Ice bucket created out of Ayden’s blue berry picking bin made by Pop Pop. Who knew it was so versatile!

Cutest most exotic server ever!! Our night included, outdoor fire, great apps, musical entertainment and finished up with a neck/foot massage. It was great to have a date night in!

Finally attempted our first Low Country Boil thanks to my Moms gift and my sisters expertise.

I think we NAILED IT!

KIDS field trip to Boston to see my great friend Suzanne visiting from Florida.

So loved my time with Suz and miss living closer…

Another successful week of Apple camp! The technology this company has is incredible… wish I grew up learning some of the things my kids are exposed to.

Jordan decided to tryout for a summer softball league and made it! Didn’t realize we had so many nights at the fields but we made the best of game nights figuring out various ways to tail gate with Bella.

We have been in this house for three years and after hours of contemplating the exact pink to have on her walls, Ayden is finally painting her room and putting her personal touches into her space.

We kicked off summer with a great day exploring Newport, RI by boat with the Easley’s.

They know all the great spot in this area and we even had the chance to jump from the upper deck!

Girls gone wild! Love the crazy in Jen…

She makes living here fun!!!

Boys heading out for some pizza… Best looking delivery boys going!

While the pool was opened in May, the water is finally warm enough to make swimming worth while!

Sisters Rock… just hope they know that!

Planning an upcoming hiking trip to the summit of Mt. Washington. Ayden is trying out her new hiking socks and shoes. Only A can make a pair of grey oversized shoes look fashionable!

Our hotel accommodations for the hike… Welcome to the Carey hotel!

I am definitely in my happy place… but the kids are already asking me at this point “are we almost there” — we had just started!

Sitting at the base of Tuckerman's ravine. Crazy to think that people were just here skiing a few short weeks ago!

We were fortunate enough to summit Mt. Washington (Elevation 6,288 ft) get a tour of the weather station that recorded wind speed as high as 231 miles per hour. We toured the bunk house, kitchen, weather station and learned how the place is run 24/7 ~ 365 days a year. It takes a snowcat over 3 hours to drive the employees up the mountain in the winter!

In my happy place with my group!

Sad to leave the mountains but worth it to come home to my friend Jen visiting from Florida!!!!

We had a great couple of days catching up and laughing like crazy! So miss having her next door!

Just the fix I needed!

My Masco summer “tracksters” heading off to their first summer meet…

Can’t not post without a picture of Bella Jane… my coolest cat going! She has mastered the art of relaxation!! Happy summer!!

June Update 2017! Two Graduations!!!

Homemade Gnocchi — for Pasta Night!

at the Carey House with lead chef Ayden!

I have to admit... all of m kids enjoy being in the kitchen and I love the extra help - particularly with chopping.   I learn more about their days from the conversations we have around our kitchen counter. 

Jordan’s last bus ride to Middle School.. Can’t say this is such a big deal photo as she rides the same bus next year, gets dropped off at the same spot but just goes into the HS instead… lol!

UNFORTUNATELY.. I did not get Garrett getting on his bus, last day of Elementary school EVER and onto Middle school. Like most mornings he forgot a few things on the way out the door and we were scrambling. Typical Chaos! But he had a great last day anyway!!!

Out to lunch with my girl… the Middle School Graduate!

I cannot wait to see where life takes her… I could not be more blessed to have the children!!

Spending a lazy Friday afternoon on the front lawn with Bella. Waiting for Chris to come home from being away all week.

Garrett is quite the photographer!

It doesn’t take much to entertain ourselves! Can you guess who is who???

Kicking off the summer with the top off and our compass heading us to the beach!

One of my most common phrases…

SISTERS ROCK!

I hope these two realize how truly special it is to have siblings! Two girls with completely different yet complimentary personalities. One rugged, tough, determined the other frilly, silly and girly!

Add a bro in the middle and they are quite the team!

At a glance you would say that Jordan would be the adventurer… but the MVP out of the backfield is Ayden. First one in the pool (even unheated) and the last one out. There are nights we have to turn the lights out to make her come in!

Can’t exclude my true love… Bella and her best best best friend Benny!

First week of summer and heading off to camp. This year Jordan is an Intern and Garrett is kicking off his summer camping career as a CIT! Ayden… as a Camper!!!

Lucky for me the camp is only a mile from our house…

Setting off…

for a great day.. and a FANTASTIC Summer ahead!!!

May Update with some horse racing! May 2017!

Kentucky Derby!!

Louisville, Kentucky

Checked off our bucket list… Amazing long weekend spent celebrating one of my closest friends 50th birthday and a much needed weekend away sans kids with my hubby.

Did not realize that the horse races were run over two days. The Longines Kentucky Oaks is held on Friday. It is at these races that the old fillies (female horse) run. The winning filly is awarded a garland of lilies, appropriately named “lilies for the fillies.” This is the fourth highest attended horse race in the United States - following the Triple Crown or racings; the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. During Kentucky Oaks Day, the track is decorated in pink bunting and the guests are asked to incorporate pink into their attire in an effort to drive awareness to the fight against breast and ovarian cancer. The Oaks official flower is the stargazer lily. I got to taste a Mint Julep but have to admit, Grey Goose’s Oaks Lily was my Go-To drink of the day.

The Kentucky Derby winner receives the red rose garland,. This is the official flower of the Kentucky Derby and is the source of the nickname, “Run for the Roses.” The attire for this race is more flexible as there are no color requirements. Although, I was told to wear a simple dress so as not to take away from my hat.

Triple Crown Winners

The Triple Crown is a series of three thoroughbred horse races for three-year-old horses, which take place in May and early June of each year.The Triple Crown of horse racing is considered the most difficult accomplishment in horse racing and possibly all of sports championships. The grueling schedule requires a three year old horse to win the Kentucky Derby, then two weeks later win the Preakness Stakes and then three weeks later win the Belmont Stakes. In all of racing history, only twelve horses have won the Triple Crown, the last been in 2015 by a horse named, American Pharoah.

Once Home: My errand pals! Missed these two girls and I think the feelings were mutual as they were willing to run errands with me all day!

My track Star: Garrett running is heart out in the mile!

Orthodontist kick off… Phase One: The Retainer!

Cannot believe the choses they get… flavors for impression and color choices for retainers - What next??

Family Field trip into Boston

Nailed it!

Falling off the Freedom trail…

We even got to tour some of the fire trucks on our walk to China Town!

China Town, Boston!

Can’t be in China town without our signature “chinese” photo opportunity!

Finding some cool building art while being in search of the best dim sum!!

Couldn’t resist taking this photo on our walk back to North Station.

You know it is summer when the top comes off and my chauffeur is always up for a ride!