Eastern Road Trip-Acadia Day 1 and 2

 After we left Salem, we drove up to Acadia National Park. The weather was pretty gross on the way up (pretty much misted the whole way) but was nice once we got to our cabin. We stayed at Hinckley's Dreamwood Cottages a little bit outside of Bar Harbor. It was a great location, and I'll post a little more about that later!

Since it was later in the afternoon once we got there, we just drove to the visitor's center to get the kids' National Park Passports stamped and then took the Island Explorer on the loop road in Acadia to get a feel for where everything was. We were all pretty tired so just chilled back at our cabin before bed.

Thursday we got up nice and early to drive to Sand Beach (the parking lots fill up really fast) so we could hike the Great Head trail early in the day.

Sand Beach.














We walked across Sand Beach to get to the start of our trail. The kids absolutely loved this trail. Lots and lots of rocks to jump around on and Josh and I loved it too for all the awesome views. It was my favorite hike we took for sure.

Always leading the way.

If you squint you can see the deer we encountered.
















First wildlife sighting. Really one of our only sightings!









We made frequent stops to pop off the trail and let the kids climb around while we took in these views.

They wanted to take a picture that made it look like they were jumping off the cliff. Don't think I accomplished that but it's still cute!

Dave snagged my phone for a selfie.

Had to put their toes in the water-whew that was chilly!











After we finished the trail we had a quick picnic lunch and then walked down to the Thunder Hole. We were not impressed by this site, but it was mostly because the ocean was so calm while we were there (we went back another day and it was the same story). It is supposed to make load thunder-like sounds as the tide comes in, but it really just sounded like mild waves for us!

Thankfully the kids loved climbing around on the rocks there so it was still a worthwhile trip.

Dave was constantly going just past my comfort zone of where I wanted him to be.

Look at these handsome fellas!
















This picture gives a little perspective to the kind of climbing we were doing all over.




























Since we had already been traveling several days by this point, we went into Bar Harbor to do some laundry later that evening. While that was washing/drying we had dinner at Side Street Cafe. After dinner we walked the Shore Path along the ocean and the kids of course climbed on lots of rocks.






Kids pushing over Balance Rock.












Bar Harbor.

Eastern Road Trip-Scranton and Salem

This is the first part of our trip to Maine (and other places)!

When we took off Josh was in the midst of a battle with strep so the first leg of our trip was pretty rough for him. We decided to only drive to Scranton, PA and stop for the night instead of getting a little further like we had planned. Since we're huge Office fans it was fun to stop by some of the places you see on the show!






This was the good pizza place from the show :) It had great pizza!



















Had to traipse through a mall-like building to get to the sign!








We stayed in a super awful hotel that night so we were thankful to get on the road to Salem the next morning!

If you're at all interested in going to Salem, MA I highly recommend it. It was a great town to walk around and see really old buildings and take in the history!

After we stopped to check in to our hotel (the Hawthorne, it was awesome and so worth the extra expense!) we went to Salem Willows to walk around and let the kids play some arcade games. The area was a little dated but the views were pretty of the ocean and the boys really liked playing some games. We ate lunch there as well at Salem Lowe which is a Chinese restaurant-I had seen that the thing to try was the chop suey sandwich-wasn't my favorite but everybody else liked what they got from there!

Ike won a ton of tickets!















Josh took a nap since he was still not feeling well and Dave was resting a little so Ike and I went out exploring for a bit. We went to the Salem Commons (which was right by the hotel and to the visitors center). After Josh and Dave rallied we went on a walk following the red line around the city. The red line is on sidewalks and takes you past the major historical sites.

At the Maritime Museum.

The kids' gamer tag on the Xbox is Crispy Paprika so we thought this sign was funny.

Waiting for the kids to use the bathroom, ha!

We basically just walked all over, got some souvenirs and then stopped for dinner at the Village Tavern which was delicious.

Stopped by the house from Hocus Pocus!














After we were done touring the kids wanted to play outside some more so we headed to Salem Common for them to play at the park and then they got a game of wiffleball in!







Dave up to bat.
















The next morning we got up pretty early and ate breakfast at the Ugly Mug-fantastic. Then we were back on the road to head to Acadia!

Camp Mack and Zac/Ike Camp

Earlier this week the older cousins headed off to Camp Mack for a couple of nights and Brittany went along as camp nurse. That left Zac, Ike, and Brooklyn so I took the boys and Josh's mom took Brooklyn for some fun!

The olders off to camp.

Zac and Ike immediately put super hero costumes on.



















We got breakfast at 50 East and found the Seek Jesus sticker from our church.

With their frappe.

Popsicles on a hot day.

Free lunch was Pizza Hut so we hit that before heading to the pool.

Ike's flip that turned into an epic back smack.

Shaved ice after the pool.















After all of our activities on Monday we went over to Josh's parents for a cookout and to hang with Brooklyn a little.

Siblings reunited (after one day, ha!)

We went to the city pool and the campus pool two times!














Tuesday the olders were done with camp so we met back up at the valley to visit and have lunch.

Big time, driving the golf cart.

Ike's allowed to drive with an adult present.

Got some wiffle ball in.

Breakfast at camp.

All in all I think everybody had fun. I was sure worn out! It's so nice that they all can get together and play...I love that their cousins are close again and we can do this more often.

Sleepover and Campus Summer Fun

The boys love having their friends come over and stay the night with us so I try to arrange a sleepover every couple of months. It has been a bit longer than that between sleepovers this time though.

We intended to kids to go to the campus splash walk (where they open up a fire hydrant and let them run through) but the weather didn't cooperate with us. The pool here on campus is always a good back up!





Handsome group of fellas.

Everyone trying to get the ball during an intense basketball game.

It's not a summer sleepover without a water balloon fight.

I absolutely love living on campus and so do the boys. It's especially fun during school breaks because there are all kinds of activities that they get to do along with the cottages!

Ike got to help Shultz with calling out bingo numbers.

At one of the mixes...it's been so hot!

Ike at the city pool for an evening swim with some of the cottages.

Photo cred goes to Shultz! :)















It really is a fun place to grow up! At least our kids sure seem to think so!