You can read about lasts year's vacation here. This summer was much of the same except this time there was more biking and a visit to Nantucket. We skipped the day camp for Andrew this year and I think he missed it, but I was happy to have him with us all day instead. We did a lot of biking both on Cape Cod and Nantucket and the boys did amazing. So impressed!! We walked many miles too and there were very few grumbles, if any, about it. I was feeling like we were quite the sporty family (except I biked in dresses and skirts, so not all that sporty after all! :) ) We took so many photos and iPhone video that I'm going to break up it up into two posts (Can you say over documentation?!!). Narrowing down which of my 258 favorites (out of 589) to share was tough, so tag along if you like, or tune back in when it's back to recipes and house stuff and less rambling blog posts.
^^ Our mornings began with thick slices of buttered toast and fresh fruit from Satucket Farm (they sell bread from Pain D'Avignon which is the BEST bread on the Cape, possibly in Massachusetts.) Afterwards we walked to the beach, armed with any left over stale bread from the day before to feed the sea gulls. Sometimes it was just me and the kiddos, once just Jimmy and I (with an almost 12 year old we have a built in babysitter for very short, close to home jaunts. It's nice!!) and sometimes all 4 of us. As we walked past pine trees and cranberry bogs, the boys would stop to pick me wildflowers. ^^
^^ The bay side beaches are my favorite when the tide is out because you can walk for miles and explore so much sea life in the tide pools.^^
^^ A little corner of my cutting garden for the week! ^^
^^ We enforced a strict no iPads after 9:30 AM rule (and even that was just so Jimmy and I could sleep in a little now and then). It's amazing what happens when there are no electronics at their disposal. I'll admit though, when I saw them way up high in a tree I worried for a sec if maybe screens were safer. Haha!^^
^^Our garden had apple and pear trees, my climbers picked these for me. :) ^^
^^ Biking the Rail Trail in Cape Cod on an overcast day. We did get stuck in a 5 minute downpour, it was the only time we saw rain all week, so we could hardly complain. Such a fun day! ^^
^^They challenged the waves with their boogie boards and the waves won. Uh-oh.^^
^^ This one is a beach l-o-v-e-r, just like his Mama. He could easily spend 10 hours a day in the sun and surf.^^
^^Occasionally he attempted a snuggle and snooze. Never lasted for long though! (think I sprayed my lens with sunscreen, sorry a few pics are a bit blurry)^^
^^ Lots of loving from my boys. Lots of squinty eyes too. Someone get this family some shades! :) ^^
^^ Coffee Oreo from Sundae School - my fave!^^
^^ As close as he gets to shell fish.^^
^^Jimmy and I on the other hand, can't get enough...^^
With each visit it becomes a little harder to return home. I see us moving back to the northeast one day, it just needs to be the right opportunity for Jimmy and in the best interest of our family. Till then, I'm grateful for our annual visits where I try to bottle up enough memories to tie me over till we return!
Here is a little 4 min video that captures a few highlights (Nantucket pictures coming tomorrow!). Thanks to Jimmy, he was the primary videographer on this trip. I hadn't planned on doing another film but now I'm so glad he encouraged me to. Amazing to look back and see how much the boys have grown since last summer! Thanks for reading and letting me share!!
This part of the country has been on my vacation wish list for years and every time I see your trip recaps it makes me look forward to it so much more! Thanks so much for sharing. I can't wait until our little ones get a *little bit bigger and we are brave enough to make the trip ourselves ;)
ReplyDeleteLooks a wonderful, serene, family vacation! I love the no iPad rule too! Where do you all stay on the Cape? My husband and I enjoyed Chatham during our last visit, but are wondering the best place to rent a small home for a week with our 2 boys, when they get a bit older. Any recommendations?
ReplyDeleteLooks idyllic! And I love the film, just perfect. We are devoted St George Island (FL) beachgoers, but your pictures make me think maybe we should try a Cape Cod beach trip one summer.
ReplyDeleteLoved your post, Tessa! Sundae School was one of my highlights of our trip!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fabulous trip! I have only been to the Northeast once but would love to come back. You make it look even better than I remember.
ReplyDeleteLovely photographs . . . making Summer at the Beach looking perfect . . .
ReplyDeleteI spent my summers on the Cape, and nothing beats the North Side beaches. Heaven on earth! Beautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteLOVE your videos!
ReplyDeletethe cape looks beautiful. this has been on my list of places i would like to travel to. looks like you and your family had a lovely time.
ReplyDeleteFun to see the photos and the video! Looks just beautiful there! What a cute family you are!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a wonderful time. The homes there are so beautiful. I love that weathered wood look and white trim! You definitely need to move back there one day. My parents honeymooned on Cape Cod, but I've never been. I think I need to plan a visit!
ReplyDeleteClaudia
I have fond memories of the beach at Cahoon Hollow from family trips to Wellfleet during the 1960s. We live in the south now and are making a new tradition of extended family trips to the Outer Banks. The OBX is beautiful, but Cape Cod will always hold a special place in my heart.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful vacation- brings back memories of all the years we rented cottages on the Cape when the kids were younger. And Nantucket is wonderful especially if you bike like you did. LOVE your hat!
ReplyDeleteLove it! Looks like a wonderful trip! I had to laugh at Jimmy's "too legit too quit" reference during his camera work. Talk about throwback!
ReplyDeleteI love the National Seashore beaches especially Cahoon Hollow and Race Point in Provincetown. You are a fantastic photographer!
ReplyDeleteI love this post. I would just love to visit Nantucket. And you and your family are just so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGreat video! OMG I love your stunning hat! where is it from please? Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteCoffee oreo is often my choice at Sundae School! I have to say the north side does have the most scenic beaches. Love Nantucket, have you, also, visited Martha's Vineyard? So many fun things to do there, too. So glad your family had another wonderful summer vacation. Making wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. (Like another commenter here, my parents honeymooned on the Cape, too. And, that's where we vacationed throughout their lives.)
ReplyDelete