Two Weeks of Island Life

Two weeks (actually, 3 weeks now that I am actually finishing this post) ago we set off for another island adventure.  Ben's parents rented the same cottage they rented for the family last year, but this year it wasn't a surprise to me.  Last year I had no idea that Ben had planned a surprise vacation for us, complete with packing everything and hiding it in the back of his pick-up.  I don't know which way I prefer.  At about midnight on Saturday before we left, while I was still folding laundry and packing, I was thinking how nice it was not to have to even think about packing last year...but once we got to the cottage it was nice to feel like we had most everything I "needed".  Tobi and I really took full advantage of the fact the Ben's parents rented the cottage for 2 weeks.  Ben drove us up on Sunday and then he drove back to Portland, ME on Monday to fly out to Ft. Wayne for the week (darn work travel!!!).  Tobi and I spent the first week in the cottage with two of my sister-in-laws, Piper and Sarah, and Tobi's 3 month old cousin "Baby John". 

As you can see above, their preliminary meeting did not go all that well...but Tobi really liked having a REAL baby around....

...as long as I wasn't holding him.  We got a little glimpse of what life might be like for us in a few months.  The first time I held baby John in front of Tobi, I was immediately assaulted by a screaming toddler... "NOOOOOO!  That's MY mommy!".  Then she ran over to try and tear him out of my arms and put herself in my lap.  UH OH!!!  Things did get better as the week progressed but it looks like we have some work to do before February! 

Islesboro is such a beautiful place, and Tobi really got to enjoy it this year.  Last year she had barely taken a few steps.  This year she was tearing around everywhere...exploring and discovering! 

"Maggie" the ferry gets us to the island and back again...

It felt a little like "coming home" when we came back to this cottage for the second year.  We just love where it is located and the real cottage-y feel of it.  (Thanks so much Mom & Dad R-B - what a special treat!)

A boat ride around the island was a great new way to see the island for us....

The boat "crew"...

We did a little boating in our front yard.  Here's Jon trying out the kayak....

Tobi loves to help with dishes.  Even I don't mind doing dishes with the view out this kitchen window...

We brought our bikes and got out a few times.  While Ben was gone it was up to me to lug this 30+ lb. girl plus cart (not to mention the 5 month old fetus I was already hauling) behind my bike.  Needless to say I was more than happy to have Ben take over that job!

We visited the Coastal Children's Museum in Rockland on our outing "off island" for the day.  This was right up Tobi's alley!  We did some fun shopping and lunching in Rockland as well.

 They have a great playground on the island....

 And Tobi spent lots of time swinging...

Ben came back to us on Sat. but after church on Sunday, Sarah and baby John headed out.  We snapped this pic just before saying good-bye to them.

 Monday we had lobster!  Delicious....

 Story time with Bennie...

More dishes, with Grandma....

 The little princess being hand fed wild raspberries....

 A walk out to Keller Point....

 Throwing rocks into the ocean = limitless fun...

 Ben's kayaking adventure...

 Lunch in Belfast.  Crepes followed by ice cream...delicious!

 Ice cream...

 "Hunting" for mussels in our "backyard"....

 Mmmm!  Dinner.  Fresh mussels (soon to be drenched in vodka sauce....)

 Even Ben got to enjoy the playground...

 A bike ride with a view at every turn...

 Gorgeous sunrise to greet us on our last day on Islesboro.

 Saying good-bye.. see you soon!!!

What a fabulous vacation we had.  We were so glad to be able to enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of this place and spend such a wonderful time with our family!  (The rest of the pics can be seen here.)