Family Vacation 2k9: Martha's Vineyard

Travis was the speaker at Focus's College Week in Martha's Vineyard last week. We leapt at the opportunity to turn it into a vacation! I will henceforth refer to MV as "The Vineyard" to imply that I go there often and am not a mere tourist. It was incredible. We had a cottage on the camp and three meals a day of amazing food and the chance to explore this gorgeous island.  It was a wonderful time for us as a family. 

Here are the girls on the ferry on the way there. It's about 10 pm. They have already been on a plane and in a car each for almost two hours. They were troopers though. 

On the swings at the Focus Study Center.

Hanging out in Edgartown.

We went out one night for dessert at the famous Black Dog Tavern in Vineyard Haven.

Oh the glory of camp "Red Juice!" Sophia called the Dining Hall - "that Restaurant"

The adorable "Gingerbread Cottages" in Oak Bluffs.

Olivia was an incredible traveler - and The Vineyard agreed with her - she got two teeth while we were there!

"The Giant Sandbox" (aka Sand Volleyball Court) = endless hours of fun.

When asked what she misses about The Vineyard, Sophia replies "Pablo the Cat."

Here's the cottage we stayed in that overlooked a Seth's Pond.

Ann LeFeve, who made it all possible by asking Travis to speak at Focus's College Week. When we arrived, she informed us that she had actually never even heard him speak before. Thanks for taking such a risk Ann!

Daddy got lots of time with his girls!

We made it out one night without the kids for an amazing dinner in Meneshma, a tiny fishing village known for its sunsets.

Hanging out in Oak Bluffs...

We had a great beach day towards the end of the week! But it was still only in the 70's. 

Sophia loved the lighthouse in Aquinnah. Of all the things we did, this is what she keeps talking about!

Lovin' Life

Boy-Friends

Olivia and Coleman on a stroller date at the park. Nice stroller Coleman - how do you keep it so clean?

Jackson is impressed with Olivia's exersaucer skills...

Elmo

Today Sophia was singing a song about "Elmo and Jesus"  Parenting is getting increasingly complicated.

Birthday Love

When I was little my mom gave me a present on my brother's birthdays because it was too painful for me to endure a party not my own. Genetics are amazing. Here is Sophia "helping" sweet Caroline Cook blow out her birthday candles...

I know...

I am completely behind on updates and have a camera full of pictures I need to download...but another night will pass without me getting to it. In the meantime, faithful blog -followers, check out pictures from a very fun  Memorial Day on Ruthie's Blog: Songs About Bridges (www.rutha12.blogspot.com)

Caleb!

Caleb came to visit this past weekend. We tried to go to Busch Gardens but the lightning runined our plans! Instead we went out for ice cream and he came over to play with Sophia's toys. 

Six Months!

Olivia turned Six Months on May 3rd. And look she still has her hair! After months of people telling me it was going to fall out. Her signature locks are intact and as lush as ever. It might even be time for another trim...

Strawberry Picking!

Travis and Sophia went strawberry picking last weekend while Olivia and I were at Mariah's shower. Sophia loved to run through the fields and sat in the back of the car and ate strawberries the whole ride home.

School Days...

Travis's Ten Year High School Reunion was last weekend. We didn't get to go to the party but we did attend an art show and tour of the new facilities.  Sophia loved the elementary school library so much she didn't want to leave. 

Real Food!

Usually a child's first solid food is some form of bland rice cereal. Not Olivia! Strap her down and throw her the Corn on the Cob! the Peas! the Fried Chicken! (Well, maybe next week...)

You Know You are Growing up in Colonial Williamsburg When..

You think every animal is a sheep...

We have a Groundhog "burrowing" in our backyard. I saw it outside my window today and quickly yelled for Sophia to to come look. I had no idea what it was. Obviously I thought it was a large rodent, perhaps a ROUS, maybe a gopher? Sophia suggested a sheep, but definitely not a turtle. We were quite a pair and the mystery ended of course with a trip to the library where I attempted to find an animal encyclopedia in which we could identify our new neighbor. All these books were checked out of course. Then the kind Librarian decided to google "Groundhog" for us and see if the picture looked right. It did. Thank you google. Making all scientific processes obsolete.