Our Maine Vacation

Our first family vacation to Maine was outstanding. We had beautiful weather, with rain only occurring on the day before we left, so we couldn't of had it better. There are many pictures for you to enjoy from our week in Maine. Hopefully we will make it back there again next year!!! Daddy and Mason in their first swim in the lake. We did a lot of swimming.
Matthew trying out the fishing off of our dock, while the men supervised his efforts.
Mason's first time fishing!
Mason and Makayla enjoying their swim in the lake and jumping off of our floating dock.
Makayla's attempt at fishing.
Our BEAUTIFUL house from the back. Our view from the decks was of Turtle Cove where we stayed. It was great to wake up and have that view for a week.
Bode enjoying his time by the lake.

Our place had a paddle boat, so this was Matt and Matt attempting to go out fishing on that little paddleboat. It was a site to see.
The first time out on the boat.
My boys and best buddies!
The kids at the Lobster Pound.
Matt, Ani, Devon, and Brandon waiting for their first Lobster's of the week.

Michael and Christy
Matt and I
Matthew's lobster meal at the Lobster Pound.
One of our days we went to Freeport, home of L.L. Bean. This was the kids inside LL Bean at the indoor pond filled with fish.
Matt and the kids hanging out together while Mommy and Ani finished shopping.

An LL Bean shoe sand sculpture.
Eating dinner at Harrasekeet's. This is my favorite place to eat in Maine. It is BYOB and you order your food and sit at picnic tables by the water. It is a great scene!
The Ober Family
The WHOLE GANG
Nanny's angels

Matthew with his buddy Matt B
Matthew's purchase in Maine this year was a Lobster hat! He wore it everywhere.
Matthew and Devon with their silly hats :)
Our first night of campfire
Mason taking Makayla for a ride on the paddle boat.

This is Turtle Cove
Another afternoon was spent in Portland. We enjoyed some drinks at 3 Dollar Dewes.
My kids

Our men fished everyday while we were there. Here is one of many of Matt's catches!!!
We spent a day on the lake boating and swimming. On one small island there was a rope swing. Of course my Matt had to do it from the highest point!
Enjoying their beers in the water.
After we returned from our day of boating, Ani and I decided to try fishing. We were very successful. This was my very first fish I ever caught. And below is Ani's "monster fish" she caught.
Lots of memories in Maine, and can't wait to return next year for another fun filled time together with family and friends.

4th of July to the Mountains

It is tradition that every 4th of July we head up to the mountain house for fun, jet skiing & swimmig at Raystown, and lots of eating and drinking. Well this year we had a house full as we usually do. Between 12 adults, 3 kids, 1 baby, and 5 DOGS we were able to make lots of memories. The weather wasn't cooperative this year, so there was no going to the lake but we had plenty to do. Number one thing, RELAXATION!!!! We hung out, drank, ate good food, played games, girls trip to Walmart, boys fishing, and a new up-graded Fireworks display thanks to the "young" men of the house. Here are some pictures for you to enjoy :)Snacks and drinks were ready when we arrived on Thursday evening. Matt & Ani, Nic & Lisa, Michael & Christy, Matt, Makayla & I came up Thurs evening. Mom and Dad went up on Wed with boys, as A. Cathy and U. Jere had been up there since Saturday!
Matt B being silly with Ani. Is he licking her face????????
Michael & Christy
Matt and I
The newest couple, Nic & Lisa. She was welcomed to her first cabin trip with a shot of "Wild Turkey." It's tradition that the newest member to join the clan at the cabin MUST do a shot of Wild Turkey. Most of the time, you won't do it again :)
Friday during the day, lots of relaxing since the weather wasn't too good. Makayla is hanging out with daddy and her baby.
All weekend, Bode was SPOILED with attention by all. Makayla especially liked hanging with Bode and getting in his face! She just loves him and wanted to hold him ALL THE TIME!
Mason and Makayla holding hands while walking in the woods together.
THE BIRTHDAY GIRLS!!! It was our 30th birthday so we celebrated with ice cream cake, and presents. It was great!!! Can't wait to spend 30 more years celebrating together.
A few of the men playing a game of poker. Yes, that is Matthew playing too, he is quite the poker player!!!

The girls enjoying each other on Saturday after our Walmart trip. Getting ready to enjoy some horseshoes.
The birthday girls in our matching "drunk" hats. It's best to wear drunk hats so people don't see your eyes, as Ani puts it. We got matching hats at WALMART.
Mason and Makayla playing CORNHOLE together.
And here they are showing off their "new" pj's!
Bode trying to steal a sip of "Paradise." Boy he is just too cute :)

At the fire, getting ready to make some smores.
Aunt Cathy and Makayla making smores.
Mason enjoyed his!
The kids doing their sparklers.

Hanging out with friends at the fire.
Pap and Matthew, what buddies!
Matt B and Nic setting up their traditional fireworks display, with Matt looking over and supervising.
Mason enjoying the display.
Ending the night with each other! What a great weekend :) Thanks to great
friendships!

The 1st Step to Our New House

We have finally began the process of building our own house. We will be building out behind Matt's parents, on the hill. BIG THANKS TO THE OBER'S, it wouldn't be possible without them :) Our first step to our project is to get back to where the house is, so we need a bridge. The township gave us many run-arounds about getting the permits to build because in that area there is a small creek (currently dried up with no water running through it for years now) that is considered a flood plain and can flood within the next 100 years, so we are required to have a bridge go over the "so called creek." Here are some pictures showing our first step to our major project. Matt supervising the laying of the first piece of the concrete top!
The kids watching and waiting!
The second concrete piece being placed.
Daddy and the kids being silly under the bridge.
The Ober's on their new bridge. One step down and LOTS more to come ;)