In Portland

I've just completed editing all the amazing photos we took while on vacation and must admit I'm overwhelmed with the amount of blogging I'm going to have to do to include you all in on the fun. We had such a wonderful trip, and yes it is good to be home, but I must admit I do miss the 50 degree nights, lobster and most of all family and friends. I'm starting at the end and working my way to the beginning of our trip so that when you all read the posts you should be reading this one last.

Our trip ended with a visit in Portland with Chris' Aunt Vera and Uncle Dean, their daughters Sarah, Amy and her husband Brandon and their awesome little boy Eli (Austin's long-lost best bud). Eli was born two months before Austin. They got along so well, playing with toys, running and crawling around the house and just getting into trouble like little boys do. Dean and Vera hosted us in their beautiful house in Scarborough Maine, just South of Portland. Amy and Brandon live just a few doors around the corner from her mom and dad's which I envy for many reasons, the neighborhood is perfect! We all went out to dinner the night we arrived and enjoyed lobster rolls and fried clams on the beach between two of Portlands many lighthouses.

The next morning Chris, Austin and I headed out to do some sightseeing while Hannah stayed at the house with cousin Sophie(a herding dog who has as much energy as she does). We checked out the Portland Head Light, areas of Cape Elizabeth (love the name), a few of the smaller lighthouses and Old Town Portland, where we had some more lobster rolls and clam chowder. We picked up a new collar for miss Hannah there with little lobsters on it and a book on loons for Austin.

Then it was back to Dean and Vera's house to say goodbye. Luckily Eli was there so Austin was able to get some play time in before the ride to Cathy and Jamie's house in CT. We had so much fun in Portland, we hope to go back soon and for longer than just one night. Thank you Taunt Vera and Uncle Dean for letting us stay with you, please come visit soon, we love your company.

The rest of our journey was smooth sailing. We spent the night at Cathie and Jamie's place in Farmington, CT to break the trip a bit. We always enjoy our time with them and know we are in the best hands there. You guys are the best and treat us like guests every time we visit even though Chris is your crappy little brother!!!! Just kidding. We were trying to leave Tuesday, and had hoped to be on the road around noon. Well Chris' sunglasses went missing and if any of you know Chris well, he goes NO where without his sunglasses. I guess our nephew Sam (5 and a half) knows his uncle Chris really well. After turning the house inside out for well over two hours, Sammy came clean to me. He told me that he didn't want uncle Chris to drive, and proceeded to show me where he was keeping Chris' sunglasses. We all got quite a laugh out of his sweet efforts to keep us around. We'd still be there looking for the darn sunglasses had Sam not have such an honest heart.

The drive home went smoothly. We're here and are already planning our next trip up to Maine for Thanksgiving.