October. Check. November. November? What the???

So.  Time was creeping by at snail pace for most of this year.  Then, BAM!  It's flying!  Last month mom and dad celebrated their 50th anniversary!  Fifty years.  Fifty years.  From mom being a teenager on her wedding day...literally, and dad not being old enough to bar tend at his own ceremony...to two happily married folks in their 70's. Blink of an eye.  Meagan and I surprised them with a reservation at a pretty fancy-shmancy restaurant in Boston.  We drove them in, and hung around town until they were done.  It turned out amazing!  We had one of those incredible "indian summer" days.  Meagan and I were able to walk all over town and have a picnic dinner in the car.

Cathy and Cate visited for a total of three nights.  So much fun, as always...  Cate is not yet physically attending school, so we were able to safely play without the worry of her being "contaminated". (How awful)  

Halloween was stupid cold here in Maine.  I built a fire in the pit, but it was barely warm enough to keep us outside.  No one came for candy, so kids were happy to eat what we had.

Mom turned 70 this month as well.  Some rather big milestones in this family.  Weird to think that my parents are in their 70's.  I am currently two years older than they were when I first introduced them to my boyfriend Scott!  What?!

We are now planning ahead for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Boy!  That snuck up on me!

Who knew there was pink foliage??

Kids and I walking the dog...off to the left.

"Ha! Ha! Pushing each other off a cliff is such a knee-slapper!"

Seriously...that's what they were doing.

We have some amazing trails right outside our front door...

This was the night Meagan and I took Mom and Dad into Boston for their anniversary.  Look at all the people!  It was 75 degrees!!!

I could not have been more excited!  The library opened to patrons!  I have to resist the urge to hoard books each time we go in.

Why  not?

Fiona's henna'd hand.

Working on a creepy gingerbread house that Cathy brought over.

Ethan's

Mine

Fiona's

This is Ethan's finished stadium.  He has been working on this scale model for over 6 months.  So worth all his effort.  Primarily constructed from recycled card board, and created entirely in his own mind.  No instruction.

Ethan captured this lovely evening sky.

I took some pictures of Mom and Dad before their fancy date.

Birthday Bonanza 2020!!

 September is full to bursting with birthday celebrations in this house.  In an attempt to consolidate, we had a party for Fiona, Scott and I at my parents house at the end of August.  My mothers gardens were at their peak, and my dad had the lawn in mint condition.  Meagan, Jason and Ellie brought a fun new game involving sand bags...but you toss them in buckets, not holes.  Sandra was also able to join us too, which is always a treat.  

My own personal birthday celebration was lovely.  I was thoroughly spoiled and got everything I wanted...including a family hike.  This one was here in Maine at "Burnt Meadow mountain".  It was short and challenging with spectacular views. A few weekends after that mom came north to watch the kids and dog while Scott and I set out for our own adventure.  We packed our tiny two person tent, dehydrated meals and lots of water, and brought our warmest clothes. Then it was a two and a half hour drive north/west. Our goal was to reach the summit of Mount Avery in Maine, and we did!!!!  It was the first time either of us had ever camped in cold weather (night time temps were in upper 30's).  I loved the hike because of the variety in the landscape.  Little mossy sections and birch trees, short balsam forests and my new favorite, an alpine ridge!  Then it was back to reality...and Scott's birthday.  Kids and I took good care of him, and Ethan baked him a delicious cake.  Less than a week later it was "Happy Birthday" again to Fiona.  Fifteen!  Gammy and Gampy joined us here at home and we honored the little lady.

Ethan and I took a walk by our house.

This little hummingbird has since left for the season.

Gammy and Gampy's back patio.

Good old Gary.

Sandra and my parents kinda hogged the game...

Fiona's first day of school photo.  Sad.

My baby "helping" me crochet.

There was a bit of a walk from the parking lot to the trailhead.

On top of Burnt Meadow Mountain.

Beautiful view of the White Mountains on our way down.

Ready for Fall.

Ethan at school.

Haze from the wildfires in CA.

I bought some spray paint to see what we could do.  Turns out...a lot!

We met Sandra in Ogunquit for a scrumptious meal.

Working on a science lesson about speed.

This is the campground where Scott and I stayed for two nights.  It is first come, first serve, so a little stressful when we first arrived.

BUT...we snagged the perfect site.  And it's all free!

Windy and cold at the summit.  Air was so fresh I could taste it.

This was our heat source.  Such a comfort.

As we drove away I snapped a shot of the ridge we hiked.

We're calling Ethan "Cake Boss" from now on.

Fiona's celebration.

I can't stand how cute he is!

He patiently allowed them to pile bows and paper on him.

Fiona passed on cake for make your own ice cream sundaes.

This picture was taken on my birthday.  They make me pretty happy.

Most of the time....