Upon embarking on our Massachusetts Extravaganza trip, Kyle and I quickly realized one thing: it was ambitious. Flying cross country, changing time zones, relocating every 3 days, and sharing a room with a toddler were not exactly conducive to the structure, routine, and nap schedule we have at home. Oh yes, and the nursing infant too!
That said, the trip was fantastic! It was so great taking Sam to the Cape Cod cottage that I visited all through my childhood, getting to spend quality time with the extended Gravelin family, and enjoying a wedding!
Cape Cod: 4 days/4 nights
At the cape, the weather was unfortunately overcast and occasionally rainy (we brought Seattle with us, apparently), but we still managed to have fun. Just outside the cottage, we explored the beach, collected shells, and discussed how anchors and buoys work.
Sam boarded a Pirate Ship with Kyle, Lula, and Remo. The ship sailed into Lewis Bay, acquired treasure, and shot water from its cannons. Diana, Mark, Dad, Karen and I waved from our beach as the ship sailed past, but apparently Sam was too entranced in the pirate action to notice. Instead, he raised his hand and waived it without looking!
The following day, we took a trip on the Cape Cod Scenic Train with views of cranberry bogs and the Cape Cod canal.
We were so glad to share time at the cottage with Laura, Remo, Diana, and Mark. When not asleep, Elsa started turning on the charm with her smiles and coos.
A Cape Cod Kid:
I loved getting to show Sam the family cottage and the Cape. Hopefully next visit we'll get to enjoy the ocean a little, too...
Boston: 2 days/2 nights:
After the cape, we were off to Boston to stay with Diana and Mark. Day 1 we had breakfast with Kyle's college friends in Back Bay and went to a Labor Day bbq at the Kromers where lots of toddler boys were able to play and run amuck together. Day 2 we visited with my medical school friend, Laura, for breakfast, then took the T downtown for a duck tour. Sam loved the T!
South Hadley, MA: 4 days/5 nights
In western massachusetts, we went on a short hike in the Mount Holyoke range. Sam found many mushrooms and acorns. Although I had to carry him halfway, I deemed it a success when he said in the car, "If you put an acorn in the ground, it grows a tree that makes more acorns."
The next day, we went to the Holyoke Children's Museum with Becky, Scott, and Gavin. We joined Karen and the bride-to-be, Kelly, for lunch. We also hit the condo pool and a local playground.
The third day, we drove up to Amherst to an awesome playground bordering a beautiful creek. Then we went into town where Kyle and Sam had Antonio's pizza, I had a gluten-free sandwich at the Black Sheep Deli, and we all topped it off with ice cream from Bart's. It was an awesome Amherst Day!
Our last two days in town included the rehearsal dinner at the Holyoke Delaney House and the wedding itself, at the beautiful Easthampton Log Cabin, overlooking Mt. Tom and Western Massachusetts.
Sam with cousins Ethan and Gavin, the ring-bearers:
Our journey back to Seattle:
Chillin on the plane:
Back at home
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