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As the holiday flurry approaches, finding time in the woods becomes even more important.  The quiet freshness restores the calm in all of us.

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She danced while we sang Happy Birthday.  After three tries it was decided, she's not a fan of chocolate cake.  "Oh well," said the kids, "more for us!"  

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I know myself well enough to know I'm too fickle for such dreams, but where is the harm in dreaming?

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The fall sun danced in the yellowed leaves and kept us warm as the cool breeze confirmed the approaching season.

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The moon was magnificent as I walked the dog last night.  We were all excited for the lunar eclipse, and then the rain moved in.  Rough way to start the day, especially before coffee.

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It's almost October, we hiked in shorts and t-shirts.  The woods were golden, filled with speckled pockets of sunshine and they swam.  Happy weekend.

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Struggling to find the rhythm of a new school year...we are so very out of practice.  

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Squeezing out every bit of summer we can, there will be plenty of time for responsibility later...

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There was a comfort in the woods and tumbling water.  As I looked through the lens at all of the beauty around me, I knew she would be happy we were there.  

Maine!!

It all started back in May with a text, "Hi! Just heard from Ash that they're coming to Maine from Aug 2-9! Wanna come?!" A few texts and emails later, we were going to Maine!  

The years tumble by, yet with these two time seems to stands still.  The topics of our conversations may have changed slightly, but the root of the exchange holds true.  Friendship, an understanding that stretches back over 20 years.  

And look at all those beautiful kids!  (Next time there will be one more!)

We really enjoyed our visit with Ashley and her extended family at Kennebunkport Beach.  It is a protected calm beach, just perfect for little toes to gain independence in the ocean waters.  

Gabby had lots of things to tell Colton and Lennon, and they were more than happy to listen.  Had she been home the morning we left I would have thought to check our bags, I'm sure they wanted to bring her home.

 Colton got to try out a skim board...definitely tricky.

Scarborough Beach brought bigger waves for boogie boarding, pretty tumbled stones scattered in the sand, and air temperatures warm enough that I actually swam in that COLD water.  

Our last night in Maine we visited Kate's parents and were treated to a lobster dinner, complete with strawberry rhubarb pie for dessert.  It was a quick trip, but we had the perfect mix of down time and activity, of sun and rain, of friendship and family, it was exactly what a vacation should be.

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Letters arrived in the mail, it looks like school days are coming quick...enter the big push to get it all done.  

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Sometimes the words aren't that important...

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I hereby promise to stay sane this evening as I pack for our trip to Maine...or maybe more accurately, to revert back to sanity when we pull out of the driveway and I can't change what's already done : )

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Habits are hard to change, the comfort they give is almost irreplaceable.  I know she can do it.  I just have to remember this is her battle, not mine.  She makes the rules this time.

Camping Trip - Onchiota

Early last week I was mentally ticking through the remaining weeks of summer.  These precious weeks get filled up quickly and as I was anticipating each event, I realized one very important trip missing from the list.  

It was a lot of work for two nights, and well worth it.  As these kids of ours get older, schedules get more and more scattered and a whole weekend just the four of us is a rare and wonderful treat.

Usually I'm driving past misty waters on my way to work...lovely to have a cup of coffee with this view.

My little fisherwoman, she wouldn't even come up for breakfast.

I wonder how long he'll be able to toss her around like this!

Reflecting Rocks

Rope Swing!!

As usual, he's "posing" for the camera.

For all their love of water it does seem that they spent a lot of time over it...

Home...

It was hard to leave.  We will do our best to get back here one more time this summer.

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Fresh air peppered with sun screen, bug spray, wood smoke and sizzling Spam.  An orange moon rising over the treetops while the loons laughed in the darkness.  It was hard to come home.

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A gloomy cloud of teenage despair has settled over the house, combined with the constant battles between mother and tween daughter, this house is need of a good fumigation.

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The heat and humidity chased us to the beach for an evening dip.  The stop for ice cream on the way home was an added bonus.

Beach Time

 Noah and Gracie came to spend the day with us.  We got all of our chores done early so we could pack up and head to the beach.  

She's getting so big!  

Sitting is a newly mastered trick for her and all she wanted to do all day.

What a ham...and this time I don't mean Josh!  I couldn't believe how she posed for this : )

Captain Noah had the best motor ever!

Cousins are the best!

All that sitting made someone tired, not a bad place for a nap!

Quebec City

After a few missteps with our cameras, (one without a card, the other without a battery), we managed to capture just a little taste of this beautiful city.  

::this moment::

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.