6/19/19 - Riding the Rail Trail

Tuesday was still chilly, but not raining, so we took advantage of the beautifully cool day and took the kids for a bike ride on the Cape Cod Rail Trail.  I suggested a section that had lots to see: 3 ponds with beaches, an ice cream shop, and a pizza place to stop at for lunch. It was set to be a perfect 10 of a day.

Then the day started... Oh it was frustratingly hilarious.  I went out to get the truck and bikes loaded, and opened the door to find Nate’s wet shoes and fishing gear from the day before. The truck smelled so bad inside that I nearly puked. I needed to get the wet stuff out of there STAT, but I couldn’t open the back because of the kayak on top, couldn’t get the kayak down myself and Nate was in a work meeting, and the kayak was fullof water  from the rain the night before. So I had to climb through the cab and get everything out. You can bet I was not happy. Finally got that done and bikes loaded, one of which I had to load through the back window because we were one bike spot short on the bike rack. So fun (not). The boys had been fighting all morning, and I was in no mood for any of it.

We finally went over to pick up Nate’s Aunt Deliaand cousin Cordelia 45 minutes late.  We starteddriving to the bike rental place, and I realized I forgot my pocketbook and sunglasses at Grandpa’s house. So we got a bike rented for Delia, got it loaded, and had to drive an extra 20 minutes round trip for me to get my purse and sunglasses. By the time we got to Grandpa’s house we realized that instead of a morning start, it was nearly lunch time, and we hadn’t even started. So we schlepped all the kids out of the car into the house, slapped some pb&j sandwiches together, ate, and piled everyone back in the car—it was already 12:40! Good thing we weren’t on a schedule that day!

We finally made  it to the parking lot near the trail, get all the bikes unloaded, and discover that the chain of Cordelia’s bike is off. So I spend 10 minutes getting my hands greasy to get it back on, only to have it come off again in an instant. Another 5 minutes later it’s back on and comes off AGAIN. We realized then that the gear the chain goes around was bent. I tried to step on it and bend it back, but it didn’t help enough. So Delia drove the 20 minutes round trip to the bike shop to rent another bike while the boys and I waited in the parking lot with all the other bikes, because there was no way I was going to put them all back on the bike rack and get all the kids back in the car!  Delia returned, and we were FINALLY really going on this bike ride—like 90 minutes laterthan planned. Ha!

We started biking, and I realized after the first 2 miles that this ride was a lot longer than 2 miles one-way, more like 3.5, and we had two six year olds with us! They did amazing, though. We we’re all happy to arrive at the pizza place! (And thenI discovered that in all the hubbub with the bikes, I’d left my wallet in my purse in the car. Face palm!) Delia saved my bacon and paid for lunch.

All that biking and pizza may have made us a little crazy!

On the way back we stopped at one of the beaches at Seymour pond to take a little break. I asked the boys to please try to keep their shoes dry. Yeah right. I may have well asked for a million dollars. Within 5-10 minutes of repeatedly asking and warning we left because Hudson was literally standing shin- deep in the water, which happened while Delia and I had our heads turned to look at something for maybe 30 seconds.

Hi 

We did it! Even though we forgot to take any pictures of us actually on the bikes or the trail, we biked 7 miles round trip with 3 kids!

That night we had an impromptu cookout at the Primrose Pub, the perfect way to end the day.

The kids had fun riding their scooters down the hill of the street out front a break-neck speeds. Itmade me too nervous, and I couldn’t even watch them for long. Little daredevils!

When we got home, Grandpa had the Red Sox game on.  JD Martinez was up to bat with bases loaded, and 2 outs. The boys were excited to watch the game with Grandpa for a few minutes, until Martinez missed the grand slam opportunity by striking out.  Fun little late-night lesson for the boys from Grandpa about baseball. 💟

6/18/19 - Chippychunga, Mini Golf and Movies

One of the boys’ favorite things to do at Grandpa Gunning’s house is catch chipmunks in the backyard.  Grandpa has some traps that are easy to set, and don’t harm the animals. The boys will repeatedly (unrelentingly) catch and release chipmunks as long as we allow them to.  Cooper is determined to try to hold one while wearing leather gloves. So far they’ve all got away, but not before he named them, and my favorite was “Chippychunga.” LOL!!

Still chilly this morning, we ventured out with Grandpa about noon time to mini golf at Mr. Healey’s course. Mr. Dave Healey and Grandpa worked together for over 20 years, and after retirement he opened a miniature golf course, Holiday Hill in Dennis Port.  Besides supporting Grandpa’s friend, it’s a lesser-known course with fun little obstacles, and GORGEOUS landscaping. I couldn’t get over the stunning beauty and variety of plants and hardscapes at this little place. I was having a little garden envy.  It was the perfect afternoon for mini golf, and we enjoyed having Grandpa with us. It’s not often that kids get to go mini-golfing with their Great Grandfather.

Cooper got the only hole in one!

Later in the afternoon cousin Cordelia arrived and we all went to see the new Aladdin movie. It was excellent!  Hudson usually gets impatient and bored at the movies, but not this time. He LOVED it, and so did the rest of us!

The Smith’s Take Cape Cod 2019 - Day 1&2

We’re doing it again. Last summer we thought would be our last chance to spend several weeks visiting family in the summer. I was trying to find a part-time job, so we were ‘t Sure.  Since the job thing hasn’t happened yet, we get another fun summer of travel to visit our far away family we miss so much the rest of the year.  How blessed we are that they live in such incredible places!

So once again we get to spend several weeks on Cape Cod, MA. We arrived yesterday, and enjoyed a backyard BBQ with some of Nate’s extended family for Father’s Day.  It had been a long few days of driving, and I was just enjoying visiting and forgot to take any pictures. It was a gorgeous afternoon and evening in Grandpa Gunning’s backyard. 

Today we spent the morning unpacking some more and grocery shopping.  Nate and Coop got up at the crack of dawn and went fishing and caught lots of fish (which they released), but came home after just an hour or so because it was so chilly. 

The weather may be a bit chilly and rainy the next few weeks, and beach time might be limited, so we headed to Cold Storage Beach for a few hours this afternoon.  Aunt Denise and I sat with our jackets on and chatted while the boys played in the frigid water for a few minutes, but then mostly played in the sand.  The enjoyed burying each other, and throwing sand. Cooper even filled Hudson’s shirt with sand.  Crazy kids!

After the beach we finally got to eat at Sesuit Harbor Cafe. It’s usually a 90 minute+ wait, so we hopped on over tonight before the busy season picks up, and because it was a little chilly. We guessed right, and only had to wait 20 minutes!  Sesuit Harbor Cafe is a little outdoor cafe right in Sesuit Harbor.  They’re best known for the lobster rolls, which Cooper and Nathan enjoyed.  I just love all the colorful buoys on the front.

Mmmmmm...New England clam chowder with clams so fresh that you might get a little bit of gritty sand while eating it.

Beautiful sunset dinner

Hudson loves him some clam chowder!

Finger lickin’ good lobstah!

Across the harbor from Sesuit, and just passed those dunes is Cold Storage Beach. 

Quaint little place.

Nate and I have fond memories of this place that go back 20 years because it’s just down the street from the beach house his family used to rent every summer for the 4th of July Gunning family reunion. While this place is really popular now, it used to be a little hole in the wall.  We enjoyed driving by “The Shack” on our way home, and reminiscing about days gone by. So many good memories on that street! 

February 1, 2015 - Patriots Superbowl!

Lots of Patriots fans in this house!

Hudson and Cooper sure love Aunt Denise.

  Let's go, Patriots, let's go!

Glad we have some Pats fans in these Southern states to celebrate with; always enjoy visiting Jim and Denise.

January 2015 - Grammie and Grandpa Visit Us in NC

We were lucky that my sister, Cassady, and her husband, George, moved to Savannah, GA for graduate school in January 2015.  My mom and dad helped them move, driving cross country with them from UT to GA.  They drove the 4 hours from Savannah to Charlotte to visit us.  We were all so happy to see them.  They were only in town for a day, so we took the kids to one of the childrens' museums.

The boys enjoyed exploring the real fire truck (their favorite exhibit at the museum).

 Grammie helped them drive the big tractor.

 Grandpa was good at keeping up with Hudson.

 Cooper decided to try working at the bank.

 It took some convincing to let his little brother make the deposit while he received it inside the bank.  Hudson did NOT want to get out of the red car.

Grammie helped Hudson explore the water table.

The boys enjoyed flying the airplane.

Back at the house Grandpa and Cooper flew r/c helicopters together.

Cooper (5), Grandap and Grammie

Getting a picture of a 20 month old is tricky...Grandpa wasn't ready.

 ...and then Hudson had enough.

It was wonderful to get to spend time with our Grammie and Grandpa!!!

January 2015 - Cooper

1/2/2015: What do you do on a cold January day?  Coop came to me and asked if we could pretend to go camping. Why not? Tent, check. Fire, check. Roasting marshmallows, check. So fun!

1/3/2015:  When you run out of time during the holidays to make the gingerbread train, after New Year's seems just fine too.  Cooper and I had a fun time building and decorating this gingerbread train kit.

 1/13/2015: Bath time silliness..

 1/14/2015: Every night we must find bear, puppy, and monkey (we're real original at naming things).  But I enjoy the smiles and bedtime snuggles that ensue.

 1/22/2015: Jasmine the goldfish had been with us two short months before she went to fishy heaven.  His face says it all.  Poor Coop.

[Check out those precious blue eyes!]

January 2015 - Hudson

1/2/2015:  Those curls...LOVE

 1/5/2015:  This morning I couldn't find Hudson after going upstairs to switch the laundry.  I looked all over, calling his name.  He was in the playroom, hiding, and giggled with glee when I finally found him.

1/15/2015:  Ooooooh no. Oh no. Oh no. Oh no. Someone just figured out how to open doors. Nothing is safe! Guess we'll be purchasing like 20 door knob covers this afternoon.

 1/13/2015:  Bath time fun

 1/31/2015:  He's so cute...and then he tells you "NO!" ...ok still cute, especially in Daddy's boots.