First Day of School 2022

The first day of school came way too early this year! We were so busy that the summer just flew by! 

Patrick- 6th grade, Peyton - 4th grade, Conor- 1st grade; and Caitie- Pre-k4 

How do we already have a middle schooler? I cannot believe how big he is getting!

The boys went to school on the first day together. I walked Conor and Peyton to their rooms and was left in the dust by the middle schooler! I did peek my head in on him and he seemed just fine!

And then it was time for this little cutie to join the boys at school a few days later. 

Although she looks happy in this picture, she got very nervous and screamed after me when it was time for me to leave for her first half day. 

I think a lot of the little ones were feeling a little nervous, so they got a Hershey kiss to cheer them up. Treats always work with this little one!

Praying we have a much less hectic year than last year! 

Papaw

Michael's sweet grandfather passed away this past week. He had been suffering for a long time. For his sake we are glad he is finally in Heaven, but we are sad with the loss of such an amazing man.  We went to Knoxville to celebrate his life. I think he would have loved all these precious smiles of his great grandchildren. 

He loved Saint Patrick's day and the family requested we wear green if we had it. I just happened to have a dress from when I was little for Caitie. 

We had never been to an Irish wake. Papaw requested a big party after the funeral and he got one! Love the smiles from these two. 

All of his grandchildren and spouses. 

All of his great grandchildren. 

These two have my heart!

Northeast Family Vacation- Portland (Part 9)

Our last excursion for our Maine trip was a Lobster Tour. We had eaten lobster the whole trip, so we were really excited to see how lobster is caught and learn more about it! 

We were going out on the Wild Duck. It was a cute boat that was a retired lobster fishing boat. There were just two other people on our tour, so the kids really got a lot of hands on experience. 

Anxiously awaiting to see what is in the first trap!

Lobsters and crab!

Caitie did not want to hold the lobster, but didn't mind holding the crabs.

We threw everything we caught back in the ocean since this was just a learning tour. But we did measure the lobster and determine whether the lobster was large enough to be kept or had to be thrown back in to grow some more. We also learned how to determine whether it is a male or female. Females that have eggs cannot be caught. The kids all thought it was really interesting to learn that lobsters are immortal. They can live as long as they are able to catch food! 

Helping to reset the trap

Throwing the trap back in the water

We pulled up another trap that was filled with so many lobsters!

A few of the lobsters we caught

Conor learned how to measure and then put the clip on the lobsters.

The kids had a chance to drive the boat.

We saw all of the beautiful lighthouses we had seen by land the day before. It's really pretty seeing them from the water too.

We ate at Luke's Lobster and had fresh lobster rolls after our tour.  Peyton and Conor tried their blueberry lemonade. 

Then we headed to Boston to catch our flight back home to Nashville. Maine was such a dream! We were really sad to be leaving the land of lobsters, blueberries, whoopie pies, gorgeous summer weather and pretty rocky coasts along the ocean. It was such an amazing trip!