Boston Girls Day and Weezer Concert

 My top highlights of our last few weeks in Maine would have to be my trip to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. The stars finally aligned and it worked out that my friend, Jennie, and I took a day and went to Boston. I was not prepared for the magnitude of this museum, and how AWESOME every exhibit was. We spent 4-5 hours there and saw just a fraction of the collection. I can't wait to go back!

The Ancient Egypt hall was amazing. I love art, I love Egypt, and I love history...so I was giddy walking through these halls. These artifacts dated to 4,000 b.c. Mind blowing! 

 And seeing my first REAL Van Gogh! This was a major bucket list item! As well as all the other Impressionist artists. I was born in the wrong era. 

Every corner I turned, there was something amazing.

Georgia O'Keefe?! I didn't even know this was there! 

The 1500's European galleries were pretty awesome too. I love the religious nature of each painting and piece. I love that the bible stories and life of the Savior has been the subject of centuries of art. 

After the European galleries, our time was almost up and we were sprinting to see more! The Asian gallery and Jackson Pollock were awesome. 

The last few pieces we saw were American art, specifically pictures of a few national parks that I knew Riley would love. I'm going to have to convince him to take me back so he can see them himself. 

 When the museum closed, we walked right through a crowd of people outside of Fenway Stadium waiting for the Red Sox vs. Yankees game. It was a heavy dose of Boston culture. I love it! I'm not even a baseball fan, but I'm drawn to anything iconic and historic. I eat this stuff up! 

 Of course, the trip had to end at the best bakery in Little Italy. 

Riley and the kids didn't have a terrible day while I was away. This cool dad took the munchkins to the Minion movie drive-in. What a stud!

 And...another bucket list item achieved! Riley and I went to a weezer concert! I have loved these guys since my preteen days, hanging out with my uncles, listening to the Blue Album and Pinkerton for hours in the Killian Korn factory. So fun that they came to Portland and played right on the water. 

Plus, my date was a looker. Life is good. 

July: A Month of Maine Adventures

 Our last summer in Maine and we made the most of it! Hiking Jewel Falls 

Fourth of July! We spent the day swimming and paddle boating with our good friend Jennie, and then met up with the Scott family for fireworks on the Eastern Prom. Portland knows how to celebrate! 

 Frequenting all our favorite beaches and parks once again! Willard and the Falmouth ES playgrounds, the simple Kiwanis splash pad, and of course, Kettle Cove! 

 Our trip to visit Gretchin and see Popham fort and state park. We crossed to the island at low tide and found lots of hermit crabs! 

Trips to the Wildlife park, walks around Old Port, and trip to New Hampshire to visit Aunt Gretchin for the last time. :( 

 We even managed to have a little fun in our tiny temporary apartment. 

 When July ended, so did our lease, and with ten days left of Riley's rotation, we had to find yet another place to crash for those days before making our trek west. We're so grateful for our generous friends who let us stay in their beautiful home while they were out of town. Tender mercies! We even made fast-friends with their neighbors! So grateful for the good people who we've been fortunate enough to cross paths with! 

Maine is the most beautiful place, and I'm so grateful we had these experiences there. Our children are the luckiest to have these storybook memories! We could not have ended our New England adventure on a better note.

Next up....cross-country road trip!