saturday, sunday

The Grand Post.

It's quiet here.

Well, not really quiet. Its never quiet here. Its just a little empty feeling because most of August has been filled with visitors. Visitors bring noise and bustle and busy of the best kind. We did so much! Amazing how all of us, back together after so long, jumped right in where we left off.

Right back to it with morning routines.

Laughter and "the sillies".

(Four is a big year for "the sillies".)

Long walks where I am always the caboose.

Taking pictures and trying not to trip.

Movie nights and seriously salty popcorn. (Grampie...)

All the grandparents can picture our little place out here.

And we can close our eyes and picture them here with us.

I realized that if you come visit we will promptly put you to work! Grandma pruned and weeded. A lot. Grandpa dug a hole and helped install our new boiler. Everybody helped with the animals. Extra hands to keep the kids busy allowed chores to be done swiftly, and a date night to be had. (Yes, a date! Sushi, a walk and spiked coffee.)

Don't worry, we let our visitors relax sometimes too with some knitting or reading or fishing. I taught my Mom how to crochet and Jeff's Mom read up on chickens and just might end up with a teeny flock of her own. Chicken-love is contagious.

It really was a grand few weeks spent with the grandparents. We are still getting over the good byes. We all cried at the airport. (That is a lot of Trenery/Streeter folk crying at the airport.)

It's terribly hard to see Sully, Colyer and Minna cry that way. So different from a bee sting or a bruise. It's a pain inside. Yet, I am so happy they know and love their grandparents so much that they felt it though and through. 

Having our people here was the best way to spend the tail end of summer. What great memories for us. 

We just feel it though and through.

this moment and a birthday...

{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.

Amanda Soule (SouleMama)

So many moments to share from the Grand's visit.

I promise I will share at some point.

We are getting the guest house ready again...

my folks come day after tomorrow!

Can't wait!

For now...

My birthday boy.

7 on the left,

8 on the right.

8 years that feel like seconds.

(and looks like 8 years of hair growth on that handsome head.)

Happy Birthday, my boy!

And, happy weekend to you...

saturday and sunday

this moment

{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.

-Amanda Soule (SouleMama)

(There were so many moments this week.

Very difficult to choose a one.)

Enjoy your Friday!

Tourist Pride.

Like I mentioned, we are exploring with our special guests.

We are taking all our usual walks and running our usual errands,

just taking more time, bragging a bit and remembering these same sights 

as newcomers ourselves, almost two years ago now.

A marina full of boats in all shapes and sizes is never dull.

We love imagining the stories of the sailboats from afar, like France and Hawaii.

Still cuddling when the breeze picks up.

(Two years ago, we would have had winter coats on.)

Still looking for jellies and crab.

Always skipping, never walking, down that ramp.

Noticing each and every pink-ish buoy.

Of course posing for countless pictures,

and I will always wear my camera around my neck with pride.

Tour it up, baby.

Guest Pace.

Some special folks touched down the other day!

Grandma and Grandpa are here!

(Jeff's parents.)

And we are exploring.

I love being reminded where Jeff gets his height...

and where Minna gets her hair.

And I love our new routine...

Minna walking out to the guest house,

tapping on the window to say good morning,

then meeting in the main house for coffee, 

baked goods and lots of chat with no concern for time.

Island visitors and special guest routines are the best.