Block Island 2013!

I like to think of Block Island as our annual summer vacation. Mmmm, except we haven't done it since 2010. Oh well who's counting. Onward!

We rented a house last week with the usual cast of characters: Jason's parents, brother Chris, sister Liz and nephew Owen, and of course Uncle Berg. Ashton was a little star on the beach and here are a few snaps of our many adventures.

Setting sail...

It's about 55 minutes across, and once you get over there, Jason and I always get such a thrill that you can see the big tent where we had our wedding reception from the ferry :)

Right on the other side of the hill is a huge bay with tons of sailboats, so when you are standing in the tent there is water on both sides. Here's the view from the bay:

We are coming up on 4 years in September - crazy!

So where was I. Oh, beach adventures! I think the highlight was the hermit crab Jason pulled out of the ocean one day. Ashton was not letting this treasure out of his sight.

Action video footage taken at the scene is available here.

Aunt Lizzie brought stuff to have Ashton's 2nd birthday party a little early. We all got festive! Because of Ashton's egg allergy, we improvised and had oven-toasted smores. Opened some presents, did a little bowling...

Ashton's actual 2nd birthday is next Saturday, 8/3. I can't even.

Our heavenly beach time...

The boys went fishing at the ungodly hour of 4:30 am one morning, but came back with some gorgeous striped bass which was AMAZING.

Other random items of note. There was no bathtub so every morning we filled the kiddie pool on the deck so the water was nice and warm when we got home for the boys :)

And Ashton got a monster splinter. I had my Neosporin and Clifford the Big Red Dog Band-aids (and well let's be honest, I basically brought my entire medicine cabinet) so I was quite satisfied when this happened. Don't you love being prepared?? He cried when we took it out but otherwise, good as new.

Hanging with Grandma and Grandpa...

Family picture at Yellow Kittens, the site of our wedding after-party:

Jason and Ashton out flying a kite

And of course, cocktails.

In between all that were beautiful sunsets, grilling out on the deck, lots of playing, hanging out and just being together. Jason and I even got a date night! It was the best. We had perfect sunny weather and it was all-around a wonderful summer vacation. 

I didn't get a lot of parting shots but did capture Grandpa's goodbye!

Our ride home:

We love you Block Island! You will always have a special place in our hearts. Until next year :)

July 4th

July 4th was a hot muggy one this year! Just as it should be. We were up in Vermont and went to a parade in my hometown of Williston. Now, Williston is not that big and so the parade has a bit of this, a bit of that. An independence day hodge-podge if you will. It includes the usual staples such as big firetrucks, police cars, horses and, because we are in Vermont, tractors of course. But also featured are  the women that do the local Jazzercise, a group that performs some kind of routine with a chair, boy scouts, Miss Vermont U.S. International (who knew of this title?), and a guy dressed up like a camel. Because no July 4th parade is complete without that. 

Ashton had a ball. He saw some trucks, picked up some candy, and spent a good deal of time on Uncle Erik's lap listening to the music and watching people wave. I'm going to let the pictures speak for themselves because I have to get packing for our next adventure: Block Island on Monday for five days! Woo! 

The end!

A hose is a hose is a hose

With the relentless hot weather, we have been outside a lot in the kiddie pool and playing with the hose. Yesterday I decided to let Ashton help me with the watering. It turns out he was such a great helper! Mostly. He started out by pointing the spray at their appropriate targets, like the hydrangea, hanging plant (sad though it may be), and irises.

Then he just went crazy. He watered his trucks...

the driveway

His sippy

The fence

And even himself.

He didn't like that too much.

I don't know what he is wearing either. I thought, Eh, what's the point of the bathing suit? Just another thing to strip off him and wash when this is all over, and we ARE in the privacy of our own home...so my little green thumb was half dressed but overall, quite effective. I'd hire him again.

We are off to Vermont tonight for the 4th - will post on the flip side with lots of red, white and blue pics! Have a safe holiday xoxo