summer vacation.

Last week we took a vacation from work and did a whole lotta stuff but got a whole lotta nothing done.  

It was awesome.

Joe's Dad came to stay with us for a few days.  He lives in Cincinnati so this is only his second time getting to meet our little monster.  James was only a week old when Joe's Dad last got a chance to come to visit so it was probably like meeting a whole new grandson.  I feel like I'm picking up a bigger, smarter, sassier kid each time I get James out of his crib in the morning so I can imagine how it feels for his out-of-state-grandparents to go so long without seeing him.

Just for a little comparison, here's James from the same week his Grandpa came to visit last time as well a current picture... 

 

(Side note:  I think that first picture was taken minutes before he opened his eyes and reminded us soak in the moments of this sweet, innocent baby because after the first week or two of quiet newborn baby life, they turn into little demanding maniacs that refuse to sit still.  Yeh, and I can't get enough of that demanding maniac.)

This being James' first August meant that he gets to experience the annual Sweeny family gathering for the first time.  My mom and her six brothers all spent their summers growing up in a cozy (read: rustic, bathroom-less, running-water-less, daddy-long-legs-filled) cabin just outside of North Conway, NH.  When my cousins, brothers and I came into the picture, the tradition was carried on.  Every August we all gather as a family for a few days of chaos.  This year there was about 30 of us, 2 dogs, and several iPads.

During our time at The Cabin, we hung out by the fire...

Ate deliciously messy food...

Watched the kids dance around the kitchen...

We were entertained by the dazzling vocal stylings of my Uncle Donald...

José even made an appearance...

We made a trip to Echo Lake...

And explored the sand and water...

And shivered once Mummy said it was time to come out of the water...

A few of us spent the afternoon at Mt. Cranmore...

And showed off our new teeth...

And even fit in some time to relax...

Watching James interact with his extended family is a trip.  Its overwhelming for anyone to be thrown into the middle of such a loud bunch but he handled it like a champ.  He was especially entertained by his little cousins.  I'm glad that he has extended family close by so he can enjoy spending time with them and making memories just as we did growing up.  (Unfortunately, I have a feeling their memories will also include stealing cigarettes and beers and thinking they're being sneaky and that their parents are oblivious.)

We have a few more fun things on this summer's agenda but I'm looking forward to an event-less weekend.  I think there's one of those coming up in September - maybe then we'll get a chance to spend some time at home and get a few things done around the house!