Lake Winnipesaukee 2013

Going to Lake Winni remains one of the highlights of our year. It is such a beautiful place, with a million fun things to do, and cousins to do them with. I think I took more pictures during our 3 weeks there then during the previous 12 months combined. It's hard not to take pictures all day with such a beautiful backdrop and tan, smiling children.

I was a little nervous about this summer with the babes. They were 4 1/2 months when we left on this trip and changed a ton during the month we were away. It was our first time flying with them (the only places they have been since they were born is Phoenix -2 times, Palm Springs, and one night at the beach house). They were great. they were as easy as 2 babies can be -so still hard :). They had their own room at the lake house which was really nice- Mitt even set up (put together) an extra crib to go in there.

and my boys....well let's just say they had the time of their life. Here are SOME of our photos!

Ellie slept for almost the ENITRE 6 hour flight there. By the end, she was stretched out taking up half of my seat and ALL of Miles' seat (he squeezed in with park, then fell asleep along side her by the end). Winn, who thankfully was Craig's baby for the flight, just took a few 40 minute naps, and would occasionally nurse, but did better with the bottle on the plane since this was around the point were he would only nurse in a quiet, dark room. super fun.

ellie dear is scared of load noises and when everyone let out a yell for our last photo- "a fun shot", she just started bawling...really, one of the few times she cries.

 Parker-circa 1988

 Waiting for the next float to toss candy at the 4th of July parade in town

 jumping off the pratt's new floating high dive.

 We celebrated miles 5th birthday a week before his real birthday with a cousin party. To add to the 50 existing actvities, I rented a bouce house with a water slide. When the guys came to set it up, I'm sure they were looking around thinking..."why do these guys need any more toys.":) Miles decided he wanted Mamie's famous bunny cake and he got to decorate it with all his cousins.

soliel joined us every time we did an exercise video in the sun roon

 could this picture be any cuter?? can you even tell that Winn is a month older than his cousin kieran?

 On are first trip of the summer to the Pratt's to go on their mega water slide (prob about 100 yards of steep, FAST slide), I told parker that if he wanted, he could start from half way up on his first time down. He said, "That's OK. I'm just going to jump on the tramp." I told Miles the same thing and he said, "that's OK." (I thought he was going to wimp out, too)....then he finished, " I'll just go from the top." my brave, crazy child. * Parker did jump on then tramp, then worked his way over to all the fun and went down the slide- starting at the top without me even "encouraging" (forcing) him. :) over and over and over for both of them.

 Parker danced to "king of New York" from Newsies for the talent show. He has planned on doing this since we went to see newsies in NY last summer. It was awesome. no matter what craig thinks of it. :)

Miles shot hoops on the tramp for his talent.

 at the parade on the 4th of July.

 I can't get over how sweet my boys are with the twins and how much they love them.

 Owen kept the kids entertained all day with the creatures he'd catch.

 the 3rd annual lumberjack games (because they got too wimpy for triathlon :)

 before our trip I put together these "workbooks" for each of the boys with their summer homework--math worksheets, journal pages, chore charts, reading charts, piano music, coloring pages, maps of our road trip, and the license plate game sheet. we read "my father's dragon" together and mostly, I just kept (keep) attempting to make my children try hard and keep learning.

 i can not even begin to explain how much these two girls, and mia, helped me with the babies. they were so good with them and the babies were at a great age for this as all they wanted was to be held and it didn't matter who it was holding them. We did have a babysitter the first week we were at the lake, Bekah helped the 2nd week while craig was in NY and Boston, and then that 3rd week- it was mostly just me and chloe (and a little craig) (grace had already left).

 This was their reward after we did family pictures.

 Super Aunt Bekah!! It was such a blast having her there. She not only was the baby whisperer, but she helped my boys with their homework and piano, cleaned a ton and got to spend hours playing cards, paddleboarding, wake boarding and swimming with chloe, grace and Nick.

 If you saw Miles driving this around, you would realize the miracle it is that he is still alive today. he was ALL over the place with that thing while steering and had at least 3 wipeouts.

 My boys are so obsessed with treats that they love the "dessert every night" policy

 Hand cracking ice cream with Papa

 Sharing secrets- rolling around on the floor of the biggie boat while everyone else swam to blueberry island. they loved the boat as long as we were moving. They would usually fall asleep a few minutes into the ride.

 I love them in this picture. I just want to snuggle them both up. We did a walk or two a day. It was when they were first getting used to going on walks and usually at least one of them was fussy during the walk (to their credit- I would always take them on a walk during that "just before the next nap" fussy period). ann or I would usually end up with one baby in our arms.

 I left the babies and boys with bekah, mitt and Ann and headed down to Boston for a few hours to meet up with craig who was taking clients to dinner and a concert. we saw "she and Him" and I just liked being with Craig.

 Parker got sick with really high fevers for about 2 1/2 days. Papa took him out on biggie boat rides to get him out of the house.

 the captain and co-captain of our July adventures.

 How I love this sweet girl and her thunb! she sucked her thumb a little bit on and off starting a few weeks before we went to the lake. By the time we left the lake, her thumb lived in her mouth....esp. when she's falling asleep, when she gets over excited or tired, or a little unsure of her surroundings.

 where craig would sit and work each day.

 nakie floats

 The best part of our trip was getting to spend a month with craig. this picture was on the hottest day I have ever felt at lake winni. 5 mins later I dipped both baby's in the lake fully clothed to cool them down.

this was the night before we left the lake for our road trip to canada. At 5 1/2 months the babes got to try food for the first time with every kid there having to try to feed them once. Not the biggest success. I don't think any real swallowing happened.

And that was the first 3 weeks of our july :)