Had to check out the red giraffe.

Noah tried to smack the smile off this suns face.

Sizing up the competition.

Magic carpet ride.

Almost ready.

“Where is that 60 foot kicker?”

That might not have been exactly how it went, but Noah gave it a try three times that day and seemed to get the idea. Kate would walk in front of us and while still holding holding his hands I would have him go towards her using either his toes or his heels.

High 5′s to Grampa Holt.

Apres snowboarding with a little juice and watching some Diego, who just by sheer coincidence was snowboarding in the episode that was on my phone.

Auntie Mindy brought out the 4-wheeler and Noah wanted a ride.

Careful in these woods, people are out to get you.

(The next few photos are by Kate)

Snowboarding, so hot right now.

Helping Aunt Mindy pack.

Bath time with Nana.

It’s always a party in NH.

is…

…over.

To make things worse we couldn’t even leave Bass Harbor casually, stopping on the way home to break up the long drive. No, we had to race home to beat a Hurricane. Noah was a champ though, and with no traffic we made it home in just under 9 hours. Just in time for the heavens to open and some impressive rain and wind to rip through our neighborhood.

(Yeah, yeah, yeah.. Noah got my hobbit feet. I know.)

This was our last full day on Mount Desert Island, and we were (Kate was) determined to wear us (me) out. We started the day at Otter Cliffs.

A quick lunch in Bar Harbor.

After lunch we walked over to Bar Island. A small island just north of downtown Bar Harbor that you can walk to at low tide.

A Bar Island resident.

This strain of fungi is known as banana-chipis.

The view of Bar Harbor from Bar Island.

From there, we drove to the top of Cadillac Mountain, the highest peak on Mount Desert Island.

This sums up our trip.

Check out Bar Island now. The trail/path we walked was to the left, under all that water.

Dinner.

Asticou Map House.

We took a different trail back that went up over a small peak, Elliot Mountain, then as we made our way down the trail we cut through Thuya Garden.

Through the door to the garden, the landscape completely changed.

Back at the house.

My view to the right as I grill in the drizzle.

My view to the left.

This will be the new master bedroom.

Berto.

The view from Berto’s sister’s porch.

Screened in spare bedroom.

Blue Hill Library where Jen curated a show of local artists.

Unfit gallery behavior.

I was into this top piece is by William Thon.

Back at Jen’s for a snack.

Back at the house, our view during dinner.

Self timed group photo.

Lunch (© photo by Katherine Holt).

Big hugs.

Sad good-byes.

It was great to spend so much time with you. Thanks for making the trip and thanks for all the help.

Wild 3 year olds doing dances for their Nana.

Wild birthday deliveries (they do that in Maine?) from generous Aunt Mindy.

WILD!

It was so wild at the house, that Kate and I went for a hike. Just the two of us. I’ll recap a little.

Our car, growing smaller.

The hike getting steeper.

The view getting better.

The sap, getting sappier (and the bugs, to the left of Kate, getting hungrier).

Our post hike lunch.

Back at the house, wild boy grew another tail.

At the playground in town.

Dinner.

The typical mid-meal distractions.

Dessert!

Presents!

Tidy cookie eating.

Fancy lunch at Jordan Pond.

Eagles and stuff.

Obstacles that needed to be overcome.

Then there was an accident and a wardrobe change.

Learning that some obstacles are easier than others.

Feels like there is a troll at every bridge lately.

Fellow hikers.

Back at the house, waiting for sunset.

Right before sunset Kate and I went to check out the Bass Harbor Lighthouse. A: to see it at sunset and get an easy photo, and B: to see who else was out trying to get some easy photos.

Fellow photo-enthusiasts.

The pier near the house we rented.

Nosey roommates.

A high-tech story with Nana before bed.

After cleaning up we took a quick hike to The Bass Harbor Lighthouse.

Lunch in Northeast Harbor.

Seal Cove.

Bar Harbor.

Chores back at the house.

Great first full day.

While I got cleaned up Noah grew a tail.

So far the people in Maine seemed nice…

My parents (Nana and Grampa) met us at the house we rented.

Noah has so much to learn…

Lunch time exercise on our drive to Kennebunkport, ME two Friday’s ago.

In New Hampshire we hit some serious rain.

Luckily our campsite was completely dry.

Noah watching something on my phone while we ate dinner.

Leaving dinner.

Back at the campsite, Noah in the sleeping bag that Aunt Mindy got him for his birthday.

How did Noah’s first night in the tent go? I’ll tell you tomorrow…

I hope you have a great birthday. I am sorry I can not be there to celebrate but you will have so much fun with Mom, Dad, Nana and Grampa Holt.  You are the sweetest nephew and I am so lucky to have you in my life.  I will talk to Jeremy the Jet to see if he can get me to NYC soon.  I love you and I hope you get some cupcakes like you wanted. 

09 – Personalized Happy Birthday Song for Noah

Enjoy your song. I can not wait to see some birthday pictures.

Love you more than anything.

XO Auntie Mindy