A Weekend worth Repeating

Almost too quiet here this morning after the kids headed back home to Pennsylvania.  Nellie's quiet snores as she sleeps on her blanket here in the kitchen keeps me from feeling completely alone.  The sun was peeking up over the trees when they pulled out .. only to return 15 minutes later for the 3 bottles still in the fridge.  Kind of important, those bottles!  It was still only 7:45 when they pulled out the second time, so I'm thinking they are probably sitting at the Kennebumkport Service Area right now feeding Max some fruit and cereal.

their first try at getting on the road

it wasn't long before the sun was warming the pumpkins and the day was on it's way

 The weekend flew by and the folders in "My Pictures" are bulging.  Can't get enough of our littlest pumpkin with all his smiles and giggles.  He was hamming it up big time for anyone who would pay attention.  I'm hoping this Maxwell fix will hold me over for the next 5 weeks 'til I see him again.

Sunday was wonderful and we enjoyed the extras in our meeting.  Mike and Caroline Goph from Northern Maine and Curtis and Eliza Jensen from Southern Maine.  Plus Pammy Jo who also stayed for dinner and added her apple salad to the calico beans and ham that Brad and I had made which just happened to be the perfect finish to the meal. Robert and BJ Littlehale and Austin Fleming stayed too, and after the meal we sat and played quite a few rounds of Banagrams .. until our brains were no longer functioning.

Austin was quite taken with little Max

who apparently reciprocated the feeling .. especially since he let him gnaw on his knuckles

and Max was quite taken with little Nika

and who can blame him!  She will be a year old on the 20th and is an absolute doll.

Sweater was made by one of Ashley's co workers

way too interested in the leaves to bother with smiling at the camera

 What a great way to start the week!  It wasn't hard to get plenty of grins from this little guy

and there was a never ending supply of drool

Shirts from Auntie Bri Bri were a huge hit .. "Tough Guy" has his flannel on

We had lots of visitors yesterday .. not sure exactly what the draw was!!

Aunt Pammy came first and had lunch with us

Then Unca Mahlon came for a cup of coffee

along with Aunt Darlydene who thought Max was about the cutest

and Carol Lee who brought some Apple Butter .. thank you!

 Time for a seasonal photo shoot of the kids on the front steps and by the old apple tree marking Maxwell's half birthday .. 6 months old on October 5th.

Time for a bottle which he pretty much does himself now

and always a happy boy when his tummy is full

The sun was setting and Grampy had finally come home from a long day at work. It's time to play .. with Nellie too.  Maxwell was fascinated by Nellie but wasn't sure whether to get excited or scared when she got too close.

The hat Grampy got him finally fits

Big enough for bath time in Gramma's sink

watching the drips from the faucet

strands of pearl dropped drool

a few more snuggles with Grampy before he goes to bed

Got up early this morning to give Max his bottle, get some last minute snuggles and see the kids off.  Hated to see them leave, but happy knowing that they are a happy little family starting a life of their own.

Waiting for Mama and Daddy to pack the car wearing his new hat from Nanny

All packed up and ready to go

We won't have an empty nest for long.  Briana and Isabelle are coming up after Bri gets out of work and Izze is going to stay with Gram and Gramps for a couple days.  Hope the sun keeps shining so we can play outside.