Here are a few pictures of DJ's first experience rafting - thank you Paul & Jenny for letting us crash your beautiful place and for taking us out on the river!
DJ was very nervous (he kept envisioning the episode of the Backyardigans who go tumbling down a big waterfall in a raft) and was insisting he DID NOT want to go on the river! Once we got to Paul and Jenny's (Kyle's parents) beautiful home on the river and he witnessed a raft go drifting by he believed us that this was not going to be scary. He started the trip at ease until about 5 minutes into the trip when Kenyon fell out of the raft (due to leaning too far over the raft as he tried to paddle like his dad) which created a small stir as Kyle quickly leaned over the raft to grab him and I quickly moved DJ off of my lap to grab Kenyon's paddle out of the water. After this episode (which didn't even phase Kenyon) he was back to believing this was a very dangerous sport and he just knew a waterfall awaited us at every bend. He spent most of the trip with his head face down in my lap and clenching my legs. I had a great time enjoying the beautiful scenery and even some small (but bigger than expected) rapids. Thank you Uncle Kyle for your amazing patience with DJ. Hopefully we can try again next year!
And that is all of us waving goodbye.
Thanks for the fun Kyle, Adia, Avery, Kenyon, Adison, Terri, Paul and Jenny!
DJ at Long Sands Beach
The Nubble Lighthouse
DJ had fun climbing rocks with Daddy 
This is where we stayed (right across the street is Long Sands Beach in the town of York Beach)
We enjoyed the Best Ice Cream at Brown's Old Fashioned Ice Cream right around the corner from the Lighthouse
Gavin getting a stretch between all the driving.
This just wouldn't be a true reflection of our trip without including this picture (the mood the kids were in most of the time). Due to the cold weather, fussy children, and storms on the way (gotta love summer on the East Coast!) we shortened our trip by 2 days (we were planning to drive further up the coast). The first night home I asked DJ what his favorite thing he got to do in Maine was and he told me, "I LOVED going to the McDonald's with the BIG SLIDE inside!" ( a spot we took a break at on the way home) Needless to say, we CAN'T WAIT until we live near family who will keep our kids while we enjoy vacations like this on our own!
