Memorial Weekend Day in Maine

Memorial Day is our traditional Grammie and Papa visit.  Unfortunately, this year the visit had to be postponed, and to distract everyone (kids and parents both!) we headed up to Maine for a super long weekend.  Our visits to Maine never seem to have enough time to do everything, so we tried to fit in a few extra special things with our additional time.

First up was a hike up Bradbury "Mountain" (more like a hill).  It is an easy hike with a beautiful view.

Alex gets fueled up by stealing all of Mimi's breakfast.

Up we go!  Nathan had his toilet paper binoculars, which he got many compliments on.

At the top!

Feeding Papa some grapes to get our energy up for the big hike down.

The next day we went to Pineland Farms, a huge working farm, business campus and educational facility.  They have Friday on the Farm, where the kids learn about life on the farm, gather eggs, milk the cows and help feed the animals.

Learning the basics before heading out to meet the animals!

Nathan gathering the eggs, while the chickens look on.  There were so many chickens around, clucking and pecking at us.  I was impressed that the boys got down and braved the chickens to gather eggs!

Alex showing off his first egg.

Nathan petting a chicken.

Next up we got to meet the cows!  We learned how the baby cows are fed, and what their tongues feel like :)

Then we got to milk Rose.  Nathan stepped right up!

Then Alex.

Then Mimi gave Rose a little hug.

 On Saturday we met up with Will, Lynn, Christopher and Brooks at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.  Carrie had told us they had a great area for kids, and oh boy she was right!  We were there for hours, and never left the kids area.  Such an amazing place!!

Nathan learning to cast a lobster pot with Christopher and Alex's help.

Ahoy Mateys!

"Look at this cool bear I found Brooks!"

Nathan helping watering the plants.

All the cousins getting in on the act.

Christopher and Nathan taking part in fairy storytime and walk.  They helped sprinkle fairydust so the plants would grow!

Then we explored the fairy house forest.  Nathan learned the fine art of building a fairy house.

Eating a big snack after all that playing!

Alex and Daddy having a discussion.

Christopher and Nathan wrestling.  And wrestling.

And wrestling.  Cousins are awesome.

Then it was off to the Maine State Aquarium, a great little place in Boothbay.  But first, lunch, Maine Yankee style.

The sun had gone away and it was cold.  Very cold.  But we bundled up and enjoyed our picnic lunch.

Nathan holding a horseshoe crab.

Nathan seeing if he was bigger than Rocky, the giant lobster!

Alex's turn!

Alex petting the shark.

And Nathan's turn.

Then there was just a little bit of downtime in Brunswick.

Our required trip to Gelato Fiasco.

Alex helping Papa clean up the backyard.