a trip to Tuttle's Orchard

On Tuesday we made our first trip of the season to the apple orchard! We went to Tuttle's Orchard which we had not been to before with our BU friends. They have a great play area for the kids and we had a lot of fun picking apples. Maryn loved picking apples and had to stop at every tree...let's just say we left with way more than what I was planning on :) Guess I should get busy baking or something!

She was pretty excited about the green tractor :)

almost tall enough!

pulling the wagons out to the orchard

this one looks perfect!

group photos are always a challenge :)

look how strong I am!

Maryn and Anna...the girls have gotta stick together :)

fun day!!!

1st day of Preschool

I can hardly believe that I am blogging about Maryn's first day of preschool! While some may say she could have gone earlier and some say she is too young...we think this is the perfect time. I really didn't look to hard for a school, but settled on one that was just down the street within walking distance and is only two half days a week. It also gives the opportunity for me to work in the classroom two times a month and be pretty active in school activities. We had been to visit a couple of times and have taken walks/bike rides past it often this summer. While we were in Maine we bought a new backpack and she was super excited to put it on! Luckily, Jeremy's schedule was pretty flexible that first day and so he was able to walk to school with us. She was so excited to walk in and quickly gave hugs, kisses and said her "goodbyes". As I stood there and watched her begin to make her way around the room she looked up and waved as if say, "I'm okay Momma."

Of course I was in tears on the way for many reasons and was so glad that Jeremy was there to hold my hand. He always seems to know how to calm me down and as we walked inside we took the time to pray for our sweet girl. Prayers that she would know how much she is loved, that she would grow and thrive in this new environment, that she would always know who she is and how special she is , and that we would continue to parent her in a way that is glorifying to God.

The smile on her face when I picked her was one of the best smiles I had seen :) As she waved goodbye to her friends and hugged her teacher, I knew it had been a great day. Here's to praying that each day is as good as the first!

ready for school :)

what a big girl walking to school!

she was so excited!!

Heading back south...Portland, ME and Portsmouth, NH

Once we left Bar Harbor we had a 5 hour drive back south to get close to the airport. We split the day up by stopping in Portland, ME and then in Portsmouth, NH before staying at a hotel by the airport in Manchester, NH. It was a gorgeous day...a little wind, lots of sunshine, and temps in the high 70's!

On a hunt for lunch along the main street in Portland by the water

the harbor area around Portland

Love how there are so many open community spaces in Maine! So lately, Maryn has been intrigued by her shadow...she is actually trying to jump on it :) Anytime she got upset during the week we would tell her to look for her shadow or ours and the tears dried up quickly...we'll see how long that trick lasts!

family shadow photo :)

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Can you tell she had a little bit of bottled up energy?!? So glad we were able to find this park...Maryn loved it!

Beautiful sunset to end a beautiful vacation...

SUPER excited be on a plane going home!!!

Thanks Maine for a wonderful vacation...we'll definitely visit again :)

Bar Harbor- part 2

On our last full day in Bar Harbor we drove through Acadia National Park. The park is so beautiful! The next few pictures were taken from the top of Cadillac Mountain. In this one you can see downtown Bar Harbor.

Mommy was a little nervous about having a 2 yr old up on top of a mountain, but Maryn was a great listener :)

I think she is definitely going to have Jeremy's sense of adventure!

This spot is called Thundering Hole...when the water rushes in it makes a thundering sound. It was actually pretty clear to hear since the waves were coming in hard with the impending hurricane.

We had lunch at the Jordan Pond House which is known for its popovers and tea. Maryn and Jeremy both look a little concerned about cutting open their popover :)

How funny that we would travel all the way to Maine and still be able to meet up with Indy friends?! Loved being able to grab drinks with the Voights!

Fog rolling in over the harbor...here comes Hurricane Earl!!!

Let's hope she enjoyed this lobster sucker...it's got a story behind it :)

The morning after Earl...we survived, but the flag was looking a little torn up!

Blue sky peeking through over the harbor.

The water doesn't look like it from the picture, but it was actually pretty rough.

Of course on our last morning it would be cool enough for the fall clothes we packed!

What a great time we had together!!!

so sweet!

love my little sweetie!!

the only picture of just the two of us :)

our future park ranger!

definitely a place we will visit again!

Destination #3...Bar Harbor- part 1

Hello Bar Harbor!!

Close to the harbor area was a real cool grassy area that we played at often. They also had this little fountain which Maryn loved!

A moose on the loose!!

Maryn entertained herself pretty well with the large mirror in our hotel room...many conversations were had at that mirror:)

Outside our favorite ice cream spot, Ben & Billl's Chocolate Emporium

Ready to set sail! We found this boat excursion that was geared towards kids called "Diver Ed's Dive-In Theather". Diver Ed goes down with a video camera and collects various ocean creatures to bring back up to the boat. On the boat that have a large screen tv that shows the underwater coverage. It's really cool to see and hear him talk while he is down there!

The video we watched on the boat of a lobster while Diver Ed was down on the ocean floor.

Diver Ed and a lobster

Maryn was not to sure about touching some these creatures, but the sea star wasn't too scary

the sea cucumber on the other hand was pretty gross...it's slimy and real squishy!

a sand dollar

up close and personal with a baby lobster...her face cracks me up!!!

a view of Cadillac Mtn from the boat

an oh so yummy lobster roll!!!

a lighthouse in Bass Harbor

Maryn and her #2 buoy...she loved spotting those in the water :)

Do I look presidential?

After being seated we found out that this is the exact table and spot where President Obama sat when he visited Bar Harbor with his family in July.

Jeremy and his lobster...he definitely worked for his dinner!

our little lobster :)