summer "work"

This summer we don't have one, but two, little lobster fisherman (fisher girls?). Ella's student fishing license allows her to fish 50 traps this year and Maya enters the ring at age 8 with 10 traps. It is such an amazing opportunity for them in every way. From getting their hands dirty with work, to the ocean air soaking into their pores, to (my favorite) the invaluable time spent alongside their grandfather, we could not ask for more for our girls. 

The first day the girls hauled their traps it was a family affair that ended with a beach picnic. It was, as the girls say, the best day ever. 

The bait takes a little getting used it.

Sandi, with the beautiful women that helped shape her into the exceptional person she is. 

The "Littles" as we call them, just seem to get cuter and cuter and each year they seem to look more like the other.

Whatever it was, it was good news. 

Beautiful Robbi.

My favorite picture of Kristi to date. 

A generation of clam digging. 

"It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful." -David Steindl-Rast

an ideal family vacation an hour away

I woke up feeling breathlessly grateful for my life and the lives of those I love. Nothing like a little perspective to shake the entire way you look at your world.

This is a post of pictures of our staycation in July, the four of us enjoying this stunning state in which we live and specifically the Acadia National Park region which people travel from all over to visit each summer. Why go far when you can drive an hour and have the world at your fingertips?

Our first attempt at camping since the camping debacles with young children. It was a huge success.

 There was a bunch of wildlife at the Seawall Campground, including the most playful and friendly bunnies I have ever seen. They scurried in and out of campsite, frolicking playfully.

We also brought our own wildlife:

One of my all time favorite pictures of the girls. 

 I believe Maya has been waiting her whole life for fire. She was immediately captivated and occupied by it. I said to Sandi at one point, "Are we sure this is a good idea?" Maya + fire = ?

campfire whittling

 The girls slept in their OWN tent. I felt like they had moved away to college.

There is one place we can all agree and so with a family comprised of 4 incredibly independent females, we go there often. 

Top of Cadillac Mountain in a crazy wind storm

 We spent one of our favorite family days ever at the Wild Acadia park on the ropes course, zip line, water slides and more. Everyone was happy, no one cried and there was ice cream. It was a good, good day.

Look whose driving!

 One of the highlights of the day was this water balloon battle: Maya and I versus Sandi and Ella. I think technically Ella and Sandi won but they ended up wetter than we did so whose to say.

Go hug those that you love.