Seacoast Science Center

After spending some time on the beach, Lee, Janet and I took them to the nearby Seacoast Science Center.  It is a small science center, filled with marine exhibits and touch tanks, which all of the kids, even 22 month old Owen, really enjoyed.

Owen checks things out. 

A group shot of the kids. 

Elizabeth and Ethan 

  

Showing Owen a starfish. 

Rainy Beach Day

We had one day of vacation that was just about a complete wash out.  Unfortunately, it was the day that my good friend Janet and her boys were scheduled to visit, but lucky for us, a bit of bad weather didn't deter them.  When the rain eased up a bit, we headed down to the beach, where the kids played for a little over an hour.  The best thing about little kids is that they don't mind the bad weather - they hardly noticed!!

Elizabeth and Ethan really enjoyed the big waves! 

Although a bit intimidated at first, Owen got into the beach fun after a while. 

  Such a cutie! 

Emily and Elizabeth snuggle.

LOBSTAAH!

After spending a few hours on the beach with Grammy and Grandpa, we made our annual trek to Brown's for steamers and lobsters.  The girls helped us with our steamers and then each put away a lobster, while munching on some of the best french fries around.

Grandpa and Emily, waiting for steamers. 

The champagne of beers...and Grandpa's beer of choice. 

Elizabeth plows through her steamers. 

Emily dips her lobster in some butter. 

Some of the carnage... 

So apparently, when you are 4 years old and really cute, you just go up to an employee and ask if they will take the really, really big lobster out of the tank to show you - and they do!  This one was close to 20 pounds. 

Grandpa holds up Elizabeth for a closer look but never fear, they brought the lobster down to the girls' level so that they could have a closer look. 

Putting it back in the tank. 

We stopped for ice cream in North Hampton on the way back from Brown's and after enjoying some of The Beach Plum's finest ice cream, we hit the beach to hunt for sea glass and various critters. 

Emily found a fishing weight. 

A one claw baby lobster.

Hazy Tuesday

Although we had beautiful weather during our vacation, the beach was often very hazy.  We didn't let the hidden sun spoil our fun and in fact, not having to worry about reapplying sunscreen every so often make things a bit more enjoyable.

  

  

  

Emily learned this trick from Emily from New Hampshire, although she has yet to perfect it. 

  

Grammy and Grampy at the Beach

Grammy and Grampy made the trip to the coast to visit us during our vacation and we really loved seeing them.  Like we do every year, we had breakfast at The Golden Egg and then we spent the day on the beach.  Grammy really loved playing in the water and the waves with Elizabeth, while Grampy hung out on the beach with Lee, relaxing.  Thanks for spending the day with us!

Grammy and Elizabeth get taken out by a wave. 

"Pick me up Grammy!" 

Emily's turn. 

  Elizabeth and Grampy walking on the beach. 

While Grammy and Grampy kept an eye on the girls, Lee and I had some fun in the waves. 

Flex!

Dinner with the Doyles

One of the great things about vacationing in New Hampshire is the fact that we get to see so many of our friends and family.  On Sunday night, my old friend John and his family invited us to dinner at their house, about 20 minutes from where we were staying.  We enjoyed the easy company of old friends, while the girls had a great time playing with John and Marisol's sons Michael and Tristan.  The Doyles were great hosts - steak and lobsters, topped off with make-your-own-sundaes for dessert!  We had a wonderful time visiting and look forward to seeing them again.

Tristan loved the corn! 

"Who wants a make-your-own-sundae?" 

 

Lee and John 

Emily, Elizabeth and Michael show off their fakest smiles ever.

Sunday with Family and Friends

The sun shone brightly on our first full day of vacation and had the added benefit of our first visitors of the week - Auntie Kathy, Uncle Peter and Emily from New Hampshire (and her mom).  The girls were delighted to play with Emily, and she handled being bossed around by Elizabeth quite well!

Running from the waves. 

  

I think that I may have one of these hand-holding pictures from every day! 

Emily from New Hampshire. 

Elizabeth and Auntie Kathy in the waves.