Vacation

We just returned from our summer vacation. My family has a house on a lake in Maine, and this was Eloise's first trip up there. It's about 600 miles, which is a long way when you're just a baby. She did great all things considered, and luckily Michaela is such a fabulous big sister - she was there to hand her new toys when the old ones got boring, or sing Eloise to sleep when she just didn't want to calm down.

On the way, we stopped to visit my grandmother, who had not yet met Eloise. They were both very interested in one another.



In the end, Eloise decided that she really liked her great-Grandmom, and Michaela was glad to see her again.



When we arrived at our cottage, Michaela was thrilled to get outside and into the lake. We were lucky enough that my niece was there for a few days with us - our trips overlapped, so Michaela had someone to play with. She didn't waste any time getting into the lake and the girls spent hours swimming.





Maine summers aren't the same as Philadelphia summers, so after swimming until their lips were blue, they needed some hot chocolate to warm up.



Canoing (and fishing) with Dad is always one of her favorite things to do.



This year she also got to try sailing (with her Grandmom's husband) and kayaking (with her great uncle and second cousin) for the first time.





Eloise did not get to swim, canoe, sail, or kayak, but she did get to hang out on the porch, which is enjoyable in its own way, and one of my favorite things to do.





Even the big girls needed a break from all of the action.



We also got to visit with my mom and aunt (Eloise and Michaela's Grandmom and great-aunt.)



Eloise loved all of the fresh air, and was most interested in the lake. I predict lots of swimming and boating in the years to come.



We always spend at least one day at Acadia National Park. This year we split up and Rod took the big girls hiking.





After Acadia, we went to Bar Harbor for a lovely dinner at Fish House Grill where Michaela had her second lobster of the trip. Before dinner, we stopped at Cool as a Moose and got Eloise her first Cool as a Moose shirt.



Rod was the best dad ever and in addition to hiking at Acadia, he took the big girls fishing, on a long walk down the old railroad tracks, and to the Great Maine Lumberjack Show. When he had a few minutes to himself, he tried his hand at whittling a piece of wood. He only required two bandaids and no trip to the ER, so I'd call that a success.



The cottage was built by George Parker, Eloise's mother's mother's father's father's mother's father, or her great-great-great-great Grandfather. I think there is quite a strong family resemblance, don't you?



I spent some time this year wondering if he ever thought that seven generations later his descendants would still be coming out to the lake for their summer vacation. In any case, I think he would be pleased.