The Jasons Great Outdoors

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Birthday Bonanza!

The month of September is jam packed with birthday celebrations!!! Three in our house...and the numbers go up as you move to extended family! Fiona, Scott and I enjoyed our individual parties here at home, and one big bash at Gammy and Gampy's. Then a delicious brunch gathering at Scott's aunt and uncle's home for the SIX Jason birthdays in September!
We have also welcomed fall with a warm day in the orchard gathering macintosh and cortlands. School...well, that's another "season" to be welcomed. It is always rough coming off of fun filled summer adventures, and diving back into our studies. I would be lying if I said we just hop back into the routine. Have you ever tried waking a 12 and 14 year old up early and motivating them to start their math work? BUT things like art class with their favorite teacher Ann, and returning to regular practice schedule with their climbing team make things exciting.

This is what 43 looks like.

This is what 14 looks like.

I made my first batch of homemade ice cream! (dairy free and sweetened only with maple syrup!) It was actually scrumptious!

Fiona's kid party.

I got Fiona a toy for Theo. He loves his mommy's birthday!

Fiona did so well at this venue!

Just an amazing door I noticed on a walk in the city...

Science class!

Learning about motion, speed and velocity.

Birthday bash at Gammy and Gampy's.

Hey Cathy!

Girl cousins.

Slow, hot afternoon passing the BB gun around.

We were seeing who could shoot the balloons in the distance first.

Just one shot per turn.

Pretty darn fun!!!

Maine apple picking.

Fruits of our labor!

Monday, September 9, 2019

Summer time rolls......

The epic camping trip I have waited 4 years for has come and gone, and it did not disappoint! Right back to site 1, and not even a tree had grown. NOTHING changed. Except the river. No longer does the Saco run close to our old site. During the big storms up north these past few years the course of the river changed. It now runs on the other side of the river bed. A pleasant journey across sun warmed river rocks. Cullen proved to be a stellar hiking and camping dog. He loved the fact that we brought his crate along, and thoroughly enjoyed his long and well deserved naps in its familiar coziness. Theo was well behaved at the bird sitter he boarded with for the 10 nights we were gone.
We were able to hike to the top of two mountains, into the woods for a fresh glimpse of Arathusa Falls, enjoy a FULL day at Storyland (where fantasy lives...), play in the river, lounge around the fire, indulge in epic card games (spades), hang out with great friends (who joined us at the campground for two nights), stop by our favorite old baseball card shop ("The Shop at the Top of The Stairs"), and last but not least...spend a few hours in a good ol' New Hampshire Walmart to re-stock supplies.
I LOVE these camping trips. I LOVE that we are all together in one tent. I LOVE that we are completely out of touch with the world. I LOVE that Scott does all the cooking when we are in the woods. I LOVE that I can light a fire first thing in the morning. I am already counting down to next year!
Oh! Almost forgot! We also managed to squeeze "Bounce House Day" in before the trip. It was such a blast at Gammy and Gampy's house! They had the perfect space for a 21 foot high water slide!