At the end of July we embarked a big trip for our family. I am originally from Northern Maine. When I say Northern Maine I mean way up there. Jon had never been to Maine and we have been planning a trip 'home' for years. We left Houston bright and early in the morning and we were in Portland, Maine by dinner time. We rented our car and started teh drive up to Bangor, about 2 hours of driving. This first picture is Bennett sound asleep on our way to the hotel. He had a rough day of traveling, getting sick on our second bumpy flight of the day.
Addie was content as long as she had her DVD player.
Our little girl in her big bed. She looked so little in this picture.
The next morning we were all up to have breakfast with a friend of mine. Sarah and I were friends when I was about 5 years old. We have kept in touch off and on over the years, but the last time we saw each other was in 1999. It was great catching up with her and introducing her to this crazy family. Then we got in the car and drove the final 3 hours up to Presque Isle, my home town. If you ever look on a map of Maine look at the very top and you will see Presque Isle, it is a small town, but one of the few towns they put on most maps.
When we got to Presque Isle my Uncle Stan and Aunt Nora were gracious enough to let us stay with them. They live in the same house that my mom grew up in. There are so many memories in that house and the backyard, so many children in our family have played here, it was great to get to show all of this to my family. Here is Uncle Stan holding Ben at the fair.
Aunt Nora with Addie, we were over by the truck and tractor pulls and it was loud and Addie did not like it.
It was going to be a while before my cousins were competing so we loaded up the stroller and took the kids to check out the rest of the fair.
We were able to meet up with my cousin, Judy and her kiddos.
Addie was so excited about seeing her cousins too. Here are Sean, Ellie and Addie going to check out the animals.
There were a lot of neat animals, the kids had a great time running around and petting them. I don't know if you can tell from the picture, but this horse was huge!
Then it was time for some hand sanitizer and a snack. Thankfully I held onto the camera while I ate my caramel apple, but I wanted to document how much Jon enjoyed his treat.
Jon and Addie headed over to the carousel, Addie looked like such a big girl riding up there.
It was getting closer to the time for the big event. My cousins both have trucks that they drive for a living and in their spare time have gotten involved in truck pulls. They were scheduled to compete last, we were all hoping it wouldn't be too late of a night. Addie surprised me when she sat down and watched some of the tractor pulls, they can all be quite loud when they are going.
Addie sitting with Uncle Bim while she watched some more.
Ben loved it all from the start. I tried to cover his ears when we first got there and he pushed my hands away, pointed at the tractor and said "Oh Wow". He was having so much fun, he is such a little boy.
Some of the really loud tractors were coming and it was getting late so Jon took the kids home to get them in bed. I stayed and was able to see everyone compete. This is my cousin Jason's truck. He ended up finishing 2nd overall.
This is Geary's truck, I think he finished 4th over all. It was a lot of fun to see what they do and have my Uncle Stan explain a lot of it.
The next day we went over to see my cousin Marilyn's house. It is a beautiful little house out in the country. It was so peaceful and just nice. The kids saw her riding lawn mower and they were in heaven. They loved pretending to drive the lawn mower.
Marilyn was great with the kids and they loved her. She was only able to stop by for a little while before heading off to work.
The rest of the family got together so we could see everyone, I was bad and didn't get enough pictures, I was too busy eating all of the wonderful food and delicious desserts. Nana made me two of my favorite pies. The 'cousins'.
Uncle Stan and Ben sharing some yummy dessert.
Ben in little man heaven.
A family picture.
Addie and Ben hanging out on the riding lawn mower.
Aunt Nora's flower garden. They have a beautiful vegetable garden too, we were able to eat a couple different vegetables that were grown on site. It seemed like every house we drove by had beautiful vegetable gardens just thriving. I am hoping to have one of my own next year.
Marilyn started up the lawn mower and took the kids for a ride. Ben was so serious "helping" her drive, it was precious.
Addie wanted a fire so she could roast marshmallows so Uncle Stan started up a fire for all of us. Addie was a little intimidated by the fire at first. It turns out Addie wanted a fire and marshmallows, but she didn't really want them together. We all enjoyed the fire anyway.
Uncle Stan enjoying the beautiful evening.
Aunt Nora and Ben trying out the tricycle.
Ben is wearing a sweater that was made by his Great-Great Grandmother Amy, the one I am named after. I love coming home and having memories like that all around us.
We were able to see Papa before we left town. The kids were crazy as ever at breakfast, but they all had fun posing for a picture.
