Red White and Blue

Nothing says 4th of July better than a beach rental on the coast of Maine. It was everything you would expect. Picturesque views, the sound of the ocean every night, a firepit to sit by at night, and kids running and playing and eating and playing and running and eating icecream and screaming and playing. Everything but sleeping (Colin Snyder being the exception to this rule who likes to roll out of bed around 10am).

We tried this a few years ago at the Sea Cliff Motel in Old Orchard Beach. It was fun with all of Shelbys college girlfriends. This year we opted not to stay in a small motel efficiency and rented a beach cottage and carriage house. It was nearly the same money but afforded us space and a place to play. It was a good move. Not all of her friends could make it. However Lisa (and her fam) and Kelly (and her fam) and a special guest appearance by Amy (and yes her family too).



View from the yard down the beach.

Someone got a new pink bathing suit that looked like a tutu. I wonder who? She loved it and proudly wore her star necklace on the 4th.


A view of the cottage and carriage house (aka garage with living space) before the yard turned into a playground.


An example of the nightly sunsets

Nighlty firepit ritual.

Nothing says relaxing like a fire. And some cocktails. Much needed after the days that seemed to start at the crack of dawn.

We hoped the kids would wear themselves to sleep. Playing just seemed to give them more energy. Right Colin Mason and Charlotte?

Hunter and Hayden joined in the fun on the 5th for the day. Everyone got along so great.

Chris with a motley crew of kids. Notice Charlotte. She is saying, "do you want a knuckle sandwich?". No way missy. Not from you!

We even had a little luau on the final night. They really got into it!

Charlotte trying to show Mason how to do the Hula dance. This picture will come back to haunt BOTH of you!


And we could not forget marvelous Maeve.

The Quinny girls. Or at least some of them. Lisa, Amy, Shelby, and Kelly.

Shelby and Lisa after a long day. Looks like they started early this night.

A trip to Old Orchard Beach would not be complete without a trip to the amusement park at the boardwalk. They were really strict with the rides. Maeve really couldnt ride on any. But she did find a puddle to splash in. Looks like a ride to me?
** footnote. Yes Maeve is fully walking. She loves to walk, non stop. She is also talking up a storm with words. "Ball, dog, cat, dadda, mamma, down, up, more, all done", and "push da buttons" are her favorite. Yes she has even strung 1 - 3 words together. Crazy. All in a span of 2 weeks.



What do you do when you get a day of rain? You hit the indoor playland to climb and play skee ball. And what do you buy with all of your skee ball tickets? Well for Charlotte it was bad teeth. She callled them Lion teeth. Not quite honey, but for now we will let you think that.

The moon rises were just incredible. The pictures do not do them justice.

Ahhh. Fire. Full moon. Clear sky. Just perfect.

Sunset looking up the beach.

Oh and we would be remiss if we didnt include a visit to Lenny the 1700 lb solid chocolate Moose. Again, rain.
A trip to Cabella's scores a new furry hat. Dad put it on Charlotte as a joke. Mom ended up liking the hat and bought it for herself. Cant want to see her in it when it snows. Crazy mom.

A random cat who hung out on the beach named Echo. Maeve and Echo had a special bond.

Echo was the most chill cat ever and LOVED kids.

Even ones that stick sandy feet in its face. Echo still nuzzled up to Maeve.


Maeve loved to be held and snuggled in close toward the end of the trip. She was exhausted from all the excitement.

Coastal Maine = Lobster. End of story.

Lobster races. The loser gets cooked. And the winner.

Ok, the winner gets a drink with a cool straw before it gets cooked. Sorry PETA.


Everyone enjoying a meal outside.




What? The ice cream man is here! Line up kids!


Maeve with her first snowcone.


Dave really loved his icecream.



Charlotte on the rocks. She was upset that she was told no more throwing or climbing on the rocks.


Then dad caved as usual and let her continue to throw the rocks. Typical.

Brendan having some fun in the sun.


Someone snuck away to practice her ballet moves on her pretend stage in her bathing suit (I mean tutu).


Position 2.5.


Maeve just is Maeve.


Enjoying some quiet time together before it ends.


The End