Our First Trip to Maine

How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days. 

~John Burroughs

We have been to many states but neither one of us had ever been to Maine so we decided to take advantage of a four day weekend our kids had from school to fly up and see autumn up close.

DAY 1:

We spent the first day driving from Manchester airport to Portland.  We took the scenic route along the coast.  It was a beautiful sunny day but VERY windy!

Kittery, ME

York, ME

This seagull let me get really close to take his pictures...

Nubble Lighthouse...Mitchell was really disappointed we couldn't climb and then he realized it was sitting on its own little island and we couldn't even get close to it.

It was WINDY and we got wet from the spray.

Jason took the kids rock climbing...

DAY 2

We woke up early to drive to Lake Sabago to see Maine's foliage.  There were many trees without leaves but behind every bend there were trees that took our breath away with their beautiful autumn colors.

Lake Sebago, ME

We enjoyed a walk in the woods...we followed a snowmobile path.

We had to stop to watch this guy fly fish for awhile.

Afterwards, we went to an apple orchard where we were able to pick our own apples.  We took a hayride into the middle of the orchard and then walked back while we were picking apples.  At the main station we enjoyed hot apple cider and apple donuts in front of a wood stove.

Cortland Apples

Main Camp

The wood stove...it felt good after being outside.

Apple donuts...Mmm!

The kids picked their first apple!

We ended the day by driving to Freeport and going to the LL Bean store where we bought the kids new ski jackets and pants for our ski trip in December.  While there we visted a chocolate factory and broke our kids' hearts when we only allowed them to pick out one piece of candy.  Before heading back to Portland we stopped and saw Eartha at DeLORME.

Kaitlyn told me tonight that this was the BEST vacation and she was glad we came.  Our vacation is half over but we still have two more days to discover more of Maine's treasures.

90 Day Body By Vi Challenge

Today was day one of my 90 day challenge with Body By Vi.  I am only doing the one shake meal replacement and today I had a chocolate cocunut coffee shake.  I have to admit tasting the coffee shake is what sold me on the product.  It was almost as good as Starbucks but it was a lot cheaper.  I could never afford to go to Starbucks everyday but I can make one of these shakes everyday if I want.

What am I hoping to gain from this challenge?  Hopefully, I will lose a little weight and get prepared for the 1/2 marathon I am running in January.  If you want more information, check out this website http://www.visalus.com/docs/bbvi/bbvi_faq.pdf.

3rd Annual YMCA Triathlon

"The greatest wealth is health."  ~Virgil

Mitchell and Kaitlyn participated in their 3rd triathlon this past Saturday.  They both did an excellent job and did their BEST!

They were both in the same age group again this year and actually started off competing side by side.  Kaitlyn actually beat Mitchell in the 25 yard freestyle.

Kaitlyn had trouble during the first transition...she was COLD!  I do have to admit that after being in the 80s and 90s all week and then going to 70 degrees with no sunshine it was cold...at least by Florida's standards.

Mitchell gains his lead over Kaitlyn transitioning between swimming and biking.

Mitchell coming in from his 1 mile bike ride...

Kaitlyn coming in from her 1 mile bike ride...

Kaitlyn begins her 1/4 mile run!

Mitchell and Kaitlyn pass each other on their run...Kaitlyn is just beginning and Mitchell is almost to the finish line!

They both finish... 

With their medals

and with their very proud mom!

Bucket List

" Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today."

James Dean

In my mind I have an unwritten list of things I want to accomplish.  But there are some problems with unwritten lists... one can't always remember everything on the list, they are usually not in any particular order and you can't physically mark something off an unwritten list.  So, I have decided to write my "bucket list" down so I can add to it when I need to and cross off something I accomplish but they still won't be in any particular order.

1. See the Northern Lights in Alaska

2. Swim with dolphins

3. Run/walk a half marathon

4. See Phantom of the Opera on Broadway

5. Go on Safari

6. Mission trip

7. Write a book

8. See Madonna in concert

9. Visit the Galapagos Islands

10.Drive Route 66

11.See Machu Picchu

12.Attend the Kentucky Derby...hat and all!

13.Go to New York for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

14.Visit the Great Wall of China

15.Stay in an overwater bungalow in Fiji

16.Swim in a bioluminescent bay

17.Visit Israel

18.Visit Hawaii

19.Visit Australia

20.Visit Greece

21.Visit the Taj Mahal

22.Kiss at the top of the Eiffel Tower

23.Climb the Statue of Liberty

24.Float in the dead Sea

25.Make a quilt for my kids out of their baby clothes.

26.Go shopping and not worry about how much I spend.

27.Visit Turks & Caicos

28.Go to Italy and see where my great grandpa Tondini grew up.

29.Ride a camel

30. Attend a Final four game...hopefully Duke is playing!

31.Head to toe makeover

32.Visit all of Disney's Parks...Have already been to Orlando, Anaheim and Hong Kong



Winter

If your kids are like my kids, they have seen the movie previews for "Dolphin Tale" coming to theaters on September 23rd.  Every time we see the previews my kids ask, "can we see it?  Mommy, can we please see it!"  I always answer, "we'll see."  Well...after this weekend I can almost guarantee you we will be going to the theaters to see it.

We are currently vacationing in Treasure Island, FL and my son brought his National Geographic magazine with him to read and there is an article about a dolphin...the dolphin the movie is based on.  My son also learned from this article that Winter, the dolphin, has a permanent home at the Clearwater Aquarium which is close to Treasure Island.  All morning he continued to ask, "can we go?  Please, can we go."  I thought he would be ecstatic when I finally told him yes but he was disappointed to learn he would have to wait until Monday...two whole days...a lifetime for a seven year old.

He has gotten over the initial disappointment of having to wait and is now excited as he anticipates seeing Winter, the movie star who happens to be a dolphin!

http://dolphintalemovie.warnerbros.com/index.html#/home 

Treasure Island

What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.
~William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

When planning my family's Labor Day vacation I had only two criteria: One, I wanted a beach and two, the beach had to be on the Gulf side of Flordia.  It sounds simple and easy but when one starts looking at the numerous beaches lining the gulf coast the task can become daunting.  I stumbled across the name Treasure Island and did a quick internet search.  I didn't find any negative reviews and so I booked our Labor Day vacation...the name sold me!

My kids are so excited.  I think they like the name too.  I asked them this morning what they hope they find on Treasure Island and my son says he wants to find a coconut so he can drink the water from it and my little girl wants to find diamonds...she's only six but she knows her stones!  I don't know what kind of tereasures we will find when we get there but I know we won't leave empty handed.

Disney's Tinkerbell Half Marathon

I officially registered for the Disney's Tinkerbell Half Marathon in Anaheim, CA on January 29, 2012.  This is an inaugural run and I am looking forward to the challenge.  For those that know me, you know I do not like to run.  I prefer to walk but am training to do a walk/run.

I was originally going to do the Disney Princess Half Marathon in Orlando, FL in February 2011 but had to stop training due to achilles tendonitis in both feet.  Hoping to try again in February 2012.  If I can do both, I will complete Disney's Coast to Coast Challenge!