Quick birthday celebration

My friend Kimberly wanted a Dove bar for her birthday so we went to Stop & Shop for the goods and then visited.  Duh -- I forgot to sing to her!

Scottish princess for hire

Emma's friend made her this dress and on Saturday she was a Scottish princess (I guess you can't call her Merida) at a party.  The little girls were speechless when they opened the door and a real princess was standing there.  The dress is beautiful.  And that hair?  Gorgeous.  And Emma?  She's awesome.

Leaving Oregon

Beautiful Oregon dahlias

Dear old mom

I went to Portland this weekend to spend time with my parents; my mom's health isn't so good.  It was nice to be with them for a few days.

Portland (Oregon this time)

JetBlue I love you

After some terminal confusion I had to hoof it to the Terminal B (not all JetBlue flights leave from Terminal C) and ended up having enough time.  The 2 bags of nuts, bag of chips and bag of cookies made up for the hassle.

Summertime means sidewalk chalk

I watched my friends' little girls last night and when I got to their house I couldn't help but take a photo of their front steps.

It's Pioneer Day

I say we're all pioneers.

This photo is from the Cambridge Stake Trek, 2011.

We are serious about ice cream in New England

Arlington Ward FHE: Kimballs

Betty Manderino: the Arlington Ward matriarch

She's beautiful inside and out (and especially in her beautiful blue jacket she had on today).

Sweaty softball game

The ward had a picnic/softball game today.  I went for a bit and just sat and visited.  It. was. HOT.

Way way good

Headbands and ice cream

Tonight was craft/treat night with Natalie and Nicole.  We made headbands and peanut butter oreo ice cream.  I have no picture of the ice cream because it disappeared quickly (it was yummy).  I love these delightful girls and our tradition of getting together.

R.S. activity: S'mores

My friend has a fire pit in her back yard and hosted a s'mores night tonight.  It was a really hot night so nobody got too close to the fire.  I think 13 women came and a few of those were new gals in the ward; it was fun getting to know them better.

On my way to work...

Jenna's sandals

Missing Maine...

The Sunday Corcorans

Bittersweet

They're moving to California; I'm buying their elliptical.

Cute kid

TODAY: A PERFECT DAY IN MAINE!

A few years ago I heard that you could ride the mail boat to a few islands near Portland, Maine and I thought that sounded really fun.  I went today with my friend Allison and her three nice boys.  It was SO awesome (the proof is in the 913 photos).  We caught the 10AM boat and it stopped at 5 islands and delivered mail/freight/people.  It. was. SO. cool.  (There was a new refrigerator and an old stove dropped off on one of the islands!)

http://www.cascobaylines.com/maine-boat-tours/scenic-harbor-cruises/mailboat/

We were on the boat about 3 hours and it cost $15.50.  It was fun to talk to a few people, see a boat parade, sailboats, swimmers, a sea lion, kites, the beautiful islands, gorgeous homes, and enjoy an amazing day on the water.

When we docked we went to the Sea Bag shop (they make tote bags out of recycled sails).   Then we drove to Ogunquit and stopped at a few antique shops and Congdon Donuts (yum).  Then in York Beach we bought taffy at Goldenrod (and watched them make the taffy in the window), spent some time at Nubble Light and saw both Short Sands beach and Long Sands beach.  You can't go through Kittery without hitting a few outlets (Crate & Barrel, Bass, and Eddie Bauer to be exact) and then we ended our day eating dinner at Chauncey Creek.  Their lobster rolls are delicious!

I LOVE MAINE!!!