Summer Vacation Part 2: NY and Canada

After a week in NC, we hopped a short flight to Syracuse, NY.  From there it is about an hour and a half drive to Clayton, New York.  Clayton is a BEAUTIFUL town on the St. Lawrence River.  A place where Mike basically spent every summer of his childhood.  It's the town we named our son after so it obviously has a lot of meaning to us.  We haven't been there in years and it was so, so good to be back. 

And the icing on the cake... LOTS of Mike's family members were there and got to meet Clayton!

THE DECK ON OUR CABIN.
OUR VIEW OF THE ST. LAWRENCE.
HAD SOME PRETTY GOOD MEALS AND
CONVERSATIONS AT THAT PICNIC TABLE.

CLAYTON'S FIRST TIME SEEING THE RIVER! 

SWEET AUNT PAM BOUGHT HIM A SHARK HOODIE
THAT HE CAN GROW INTO!  SO CUTE! 
CAN'T WAIT TIL HE CAN WEAR THIS! 

WE VISITED BABCIA AT HER CABIN!
CLAYTON GOT SOME SWEET GRANDMA SNUGGLES!
I LOVE THESE MOMENTS! 

SO SWEET. 

BABCIA DIPPED HIS TOES IN THE ST. LAWRENCE! 

SINCE BABCIA'S BIRTHDAY WAS THE WEEK BEFORE,
WE SURPRISED HER WITH A HUGE BIRTHDAY
COOKIE!  

THEN BACK TO THE WATER! 

THE WATER WASN'T AS COLD HERE AS IT IS IN
DEEPER PARTS OF THE RIVER.
BUT, IT'S STILL REFRESHING.
HE TOLERATED IT WAAAYYY BETTER
THAN WE EXPECTED. 

A SWEET NAP ON AUNT PAMMY'S CHEST.
AND SWEET CONVERSATIONS WITH NANA. 

CLAYTON IN CLAYTON!

Mike's Dad's side of the family was in town and we were able to all get together for a delicious dinner as well as spend a day together on the river!  It was so great to see everyone and I think Mike and I both were so grateful for the opportunity to introduce Clayton to everyone! 

SITTING WITH GRANDPA MADDEN. 

ONE TABLE FULL OF MADDEN'S

THE SECOND TABLE FULL OF MADDEN'S. 

WE WALKED THE BEAUTIFUL NEW SIDEWALKS IN CLAYTON
THAT RUN RIGHT ALONG THE RIVER.  SO NICE! 

WE SPENT THE DAY AT CANOE POINT WITH
THE WHOLE FAMILY!  SNUGGLING WITH
AUNT PEGGY!  

NOT A BAD PLACE FOR A LITTLE TUMMY TIME. 

THE DOCKS AT CANOE POINT.  A GREAT PLACE TO SPEND THE DAY. 

 We could walk from our cabin into the town of Clayton.  One afternoon we strolled into town to check out the new brewery.  We took nothing with us (not even a pacifier) but Clayton was an awesome baby and took his little evening power nap while we sampled some locally brewed beer.  

PHOTO CREDIT TO AUNT PAM!

The St. Lawrence River runs between NY and Canada... so naturally we spent a day in one of our favorite little Canadian towns... Kingston, Ontario! 

THAT'S A TINY LITTLE "I" IN THE KINGSTON SIGN!

HAVING FUN WITH ALL THE TRAINS. 

I DON'T NORMALLY NOTICE FLOWERS WHEN
I'M ON VACATION BUT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE
NOT TO NOTICE THEM ON THIS TRIP.
THEY WERE EVERYWHERE AND THEY WERE
ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!

WE HAVE NEVER BEEN TO KINGSTON WITHOUT
STOPPING AT THE BREWERY. 

CLAYTON'S FIRST VISIT TO THE BREWERY. 

CHEERS! 

SHARED SOME POUTINE AND FISH AND CHIPS
FOR LUNCH. 

START THEM YOUNG.  

YEAH... THESE 2 ARE DEFINITELY RELATED.
SAME EYES.  SAME NOSE.  SAME FACIAL EXPRESSION.
TWINS? 

WE GOT TO WATCH A LITTLE DISPLAY... IT WASN'T REALLY
A CHANGING OF THE GUARD OR ANYTHING.  I OVERHEARD
SOMEONE SAY IT WAS A DEMO OF "WAR TRAINING." 
I DON'T KNOW BUT IT WAS PRETTY COOL. 

TAKING THE FERRY BACK TO THE USA!
NOTICE THE CUTE CANADIAN ONESIE THAT AUNT PAM BOUGHT
CLAYTON!  THANKS AGAIN AUNT PAM! 

ONCE BACK ON US SOIL WE MADE A STOP AT
TIBBETS POINT LIGHTHOUSE IN CAPE VINCENT, NY.
AND WE RAN INTO NANA THERE! 

WE MADE A STOP BY THE CEMETERY IN CAPE
VINCENT TO SHOW CLAYTON OFF TO HIS GREAT
GRANDPA (BOPPA) AND HIS AUNT JENN.  

We spent a day on the boat with Mike's mom and John!  We had such a nice time.  We stopped at one of the islands for lunch.  We cruised Lake of the Isles and stopped for a swim.  Awesome day. 

JUST WOKE UP FROM AN AWESOME BOAT NAP WITH BABCIA.
SAD I DIDN'T GET A PICTURE OF THAT. 

THE ONLY PICTURE I GOT OF HIM WITH BABCIA
ALL DAY AND SADLY, HE WAS CRYING (WHICH IS
NOT AN INDICATION OF THE DAY HE HAD.  HE HAD
A GREAT DAY).  BABCIA GOT TO HOLD HIM ALL DAY.
SORRY THIS WAS THE ONLY PICTURE I TOOK OF THEM.

The next day we rented a pontoon from the cabins we were staying in.  We cruised to Boldt Castle in Alexandria Bay.  Then through the International Rift, through Lake of the Isles again, and then made a stop at Potter's beach.  It was a GREAT day! 

SWEET MOMENTS WITH AUNT PAM.
THOUSAND ISLANDS BRIDGE WAAYY IN THE BACKGROUND. 

GOING UNDER THE BRIDGE! 
HEADED TO A BAY!

BOLDT CASTLE

THE RIVER IS REALLY HIGH THIS SUMMER.
THIS HOUSE IS BARELY ABOVE THE WATER.
THEIR ISLAND IS UNDER WATER!
NOTICE THE SANDBAGS AT THE FRONT DOOR.
A FEW WEEKS AGO THEY PROBABLY HAD WATER
IN THEIR HOUSE. 

BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPING AT BOLDT CASTLE. 

SUCH AN AMAZING VACATION HOME.

For those who don't know the story... George Boldt (super wealthy... lived in NYC), built this vacation home on a heart shaped island for his wife but she died during construction and he abandoned the place.  NY bought it and they are in the slow, tedious process of completing it.  They've gotten a LOT done since the last time we were here.  It's gorgeous.

THE KITCHEN OPENED IN 2014. 

BEAUTIFUL CASTLE

THIS GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF HOW HIGH THE
WATER LEVEL IS. 

CLAYTON'S FIRST TIME TO BOLDT CASTLE...
THIS IS IN THE CASTLE PLAYHOUSE. 

STARTING OUR CRUISE THROUGH THE INTERNATIONAL RIFT.

THE CURRENT IS FLOWING PRETTY GOOD THROUGH THE RIFT. 

THE WATER IS SUPER CLEAR. 

CRUISING THROUGH THE RIFT.
MIKE WAS AN EXCELLENT CAPTAIN ALL DAY.
HE NAVIGATED US ALL AROUND WITH
OLD SCHOOL MAPS.  NO GPS ON THIS RENTAL BOAT. 

BOAT NAPS ARE GOOD NAPS.

SWIMMING/FLOATING AT POTTER'S BEACH! 

CLAYTON GOT ALL THE WAY IN THE WATER!
UP TO HIS NECK!  AND GOT HIS HAIR WET!
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY... HE LOVED IT!!! 

 Perhaps the most memorable part of the trip was when we ran out of gas... just shy of the dock.  

Yep.  Apparently it's a Madden family tradition that we inadvertently kept alive.  

Luckily we were super close so the Madden's jumped in and swam us back.  

2 HORSE POWER MOTOR. 

SOMEBODY HAD TO HOLD THE BABY! 

ALMOST THERE! 

THE SUNSET ON OUR LAST NIGHT WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.
THE RIVER NEVER DISAPPOINTS WITH SUNSETS. 

AWESOME. 

PERFECT ENDING TO A WONDERFUL TRIP. 

BEFORE LEAVING WE MADE ONE LAST STOP
TO VISIT GREAT GRAMMA MADDEN.
IT WAS GREAT TO SEE HER!
THEN IT WAS ON THE AIRPORT TO START
THE TREK BACK TO NEVADA! 

END OF A WHIRLWIND 2 WEEKS AND HE WAS
STILL ALL SMILES!  SO GRATEFUL! 

GOODBYE LAKE ONTARIO!  UNTIL WE SEE YOU AGAIN! 

The trip was busy and full of excitement.  It was a little challenging to jump around to so many places with a 6 month old but honestly, I would do it again in a heartbeat. We had an amazing time.  We loved seeing friends and family.  We are sorry we missed seeing some people on this trip and we definitely hope to catch you on the next trip!  

Summer Vacation Part 1: North Carolina

It has been a CRAZY two weeks. We started our trip in NC visiting family.  We landed at RDU pretty late, got our rental car, and headed straight to Mt. Gould to hang out with family.  Sweet Clayton was a TROOPER (that's actually a huge understatement).  Luckily our family had everything set up for us so we were able to go straight to bed when we arrived (at 1 am) instead of having to unload and set up a crib, etc.  That was AMAZING!  The first night was ok... but the second night... that was ugly. 

Our 6 month old was trying to adjust to a new place, in a different time zone, while teething and with an unexplained cough (maybe he picked up a little something from the airplane???).  Poor baby would not sleep.  We tried for hours but eventually handed him over to family and went to get some sleep.  God bless my family!  Mike and I were going on about 3-4 hours of sleep from the night before and just couldn't handle our screaming baby any longer.  It was rough.  I cried. 

My family took shifts rocking him in the recliner in the living room and basically, that's how he slept all night!  I have new respect for those parents who go through this every night.  I'm incredibly grateful for how well our baby usually sleeps.  Given the fact that he didn't sleep or nap well, he was surprisingly happy during our stay at the river. 

We had a WONDERFUL time at Mt. Gould, as always.  I'm so happy Clayton got to meet most of his extended family.  Now, here's the story in pictures:

HOW ELSE DO YOU TUMMY TIME ON AN AIRPLANE? 

HIS HAT IS STILL A LITTLE BIG. 
BUT IT GETS THE JOB DONE. 

HAPPY TO BE WITH HIS JUJU!

RIVER SHENANIGANS... JET SKIING... SWIMMING... ETC

GOTTA PROTECT THOSE BABY BLUE EYES!

WE LOVE THIS PLACE. 

CLAYTON'S FIRST TIME IN THE CHOWAN RIVER! 

As usual, I was having too much fun to think about taking pictures!  I wish I would've gotten a picture with the whole family!  Maybe I will remember next year! 

After 2 nights at Mt. Gould, we headed to Topsail Beach for a few days.  It was HOT at the river but the ocean breeze at Topsail was AMAZING! 

AS SOON AS WE GOT TO TOPSAIL WE WENT
STRAIGHT TO THE OCEAN!

CLAYTON'S FIRST TIME AT THE OCEAN! 

TOES IN THE ATLANTIC!  

NOT SURE WHAT TO THINK JUST YET. 

WE WERE SOOO HAPPY TO BE HERE!  

GETTING SOME LOVE FROM PA!

JUST HAVING A LITTLE SNACK ON THE BEACH! 

WHAT YOU LOOKING AT MOM? 

OUR FRIENDS DACIA AND NATHAN CAME TO VISIT! 

HE LOVED THE SAND!  IT DIDN'T EVEN BOTHER
HIM THAT IT WAS ALL IN HIS MOUTH (AND EVERY
OTHER CREVICE ON HIS BODY).
HAPPY LITTLE BABY!  

THANKS FOR COMING TO VISIT GUYS! 
WE LOVED SEEING YOU! 

WE VISITED GRANDPA MADDEN ON HIS BOAT
IN WRIGHTSVILLE (AFTER STOPPING FOR
TROLLEY STOP HOT DOGS)! 
THIS IS MOM'S OLD COLLEGE STOMPING GROUNDS!
IT FELT KINDA GOOD TO BE BACK! 

IT WAS A LITTLE TOO WINDY FOR A CRUISE
BUT GRANDPA LET HIM PRETEND TO DRIVE. 

 We had absolutely perfect weather the whole time we were at the beach.  We had one stormy/overcast day but honestly, we loved it!  It was so refreshing!  

JUST A PERFECT SUNRISE! 
(PHOTO CREDIT TO DACIA... I WAS STILL SLEEPING)

AWESOME STORM IN THE DISTANCE! 

NOT A BAD PLACE TO TAKE A NAP! 

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL EVENING WALK
ON THE BEACH! 

NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE THIS BEAUTY!

WE STUMBLED ACROSS A TURTLE NEST EXCAVATION! 
THERE WERE A FEW EGGS THAT DIDN'T HATCH SO
THEY SHOWED THEM TO US BEFORE THEY MOVED THEM
TO ANOTHER NEST. 

THERE WERE 2 BABIES THAT HAD HATCHED BUT
COULDN'T MAKE THE CLIMB OUT...
THEY GOT RELEASED IN THE OCEAN THAT NIGHT! 

BEAUTIFUL CAROLINA SKY! 

COUNTING MY BLESSINGS IN THIS MOMENT! 

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE (THIS TIME, I WAS UP TO TAKE
THE PICTURE). 

We owe a HUGE thanks to Mike's Aunt Paula and her husband, John for letting us stay at their beautiful beach home!  My soul was so happy in this place!  It was likely the most restful part of our entire vacation.  Absolute perfection.  

We spent the last few nights of our time in NC at Pa and JuJu's house just relaxing, enjoying time with family, doing laundry and re-packing for week 2 of vacation.  

GOT LOTS OF FLOOR PLAYTIME

I LOVE WATCHING MY MOM WITH MY SON. 
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING. 

SWEET (WET) BABY KISSES

LAINEY IS THE BEST BABY ENTERTAINER EVER! 

THESE 2 HAD A GREAT TIME TOGETHER

SOMEBODY LOVES IT AT PA AND JUJU'S 

JUJU AND HER GRANDBABIES

THE WHOLE FAM! 
WE LOVE YOU GUYS AND MISS YOU SO MUCH ALREADY!
COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS UNTIL WE SEE YOU AGAIN! 

Well, that was our NC trip!  It was a whirlwind... it always is.  We had so much fun and even though it was a little difficult to bounce around from place to place with a 6 month old, I would do it again in a heartbeat.  After an AWESOME week in NC, we flew from RDU to Syracuse, NY for a week at the St. Lawrence River with Mike's family.  Separate blog on that trip coming soon!  Stay tuned!

34

Well, I am officially 34 years old (I've actually been 34 for a few weeks now but haven't had the time or motivation to blog about it until now).  And I feel pretty neutral about being 34.  I feel like I've done quite a bit in my 34 years on this earth.  But of course, there's still quite a bit I'd like to do.  A few years ago I made a list of 35 things I'd like to do before age 35.  It was a big list, with big adventurous activities because I had 3 years to get it all done.  Instead, I sit here on my 34th birthday, with one year left to accomplish that list, and I've only done 4!  Yikes!

To my defense, we've obviously been pretty busy over the past year.  But, there's a LOT on that list that I would still like to do!  So, I'm going to do my VERY best to tackle as many things as possible in this next year but I will likely have to modify a few things.

There are some things on the list that I've tried to do but I've been unsuccessful (for no fault of my own)... ex: we've applied for permits to hike Mt. Whitney for several years but never win the lottery.  That's really just an excuse I guess but still. 

I won't rewrite the whole 35 before 35 list on this blog... if you want to read it again, you can find it here.

If I can't get the list accomplished, I may turn it into a 40 before 40 list (I reserve the right to do that) OR I may just say: "I had a kid which pretty much trumps all the other things on that list."  We will see. 

So, here's what we've been up to lately...

CLAYTON IS TAKING NAPS IN HIS CRIB AGAIN!
YAY!  AND HE'S GETTING HIS LEGS UNDER HIM
(LOOK AT THAT BUTT UP IN THE AIR).

BUT SOMETIMES HE STILL NEEDS TO SNUGGLE
WITH MOMMY TO SLEEP. 

HE'S PUSHING UP ON HIS ARMS REALLY WELL! 

WE ARE TRYING TO SPEND SOME TIME OUTSIDE.

FIRST TIME IN THE POOL. 

2/3 OF MY SWEET BOYS.

EVENING TUMMY TIME BEFORE BATH/BED. 

We spent Clayton's first July 4th being kinda un-patriotic.  Oops.  We sat around the house ALL day waiting on some new appliances to be delivered (yay).  But, they didn't get delivered until 8 pm and we spent the rest of the night getting them all set up... getting the food back in the fridge, etc.  So, no fireworks for us.  Nothing even remotely patriotic other than we ate hotdogs for lunch (that's pretty American, right?)  I wish we could've been at the beach but there are so many people in town that it's just not enjoyable.  And I hated missing the fireworks (we could hear them from our house but couldn't see them).  Oh well, there's always next year I guess.  

We have a lot of excitement coming up... big travel plans coming up soon.  Stay tuned!