Cape Cod, Massachusetts

April 18 - October 17, 2009

Peters Pond RV Resort

Sandwich, Massachusetts

Saco/Old Orchard Beach KOA

Old Orchard Beach, Maine

Bourne Scenic Park

Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts

I can't help but wonder what happened to the last six-plus months. I have to say we certainly did not accomplish all that I thought we would while spending so much time in one place. There was little spring and even less summer, but we were blessed with some magnificent end-of-summer, early-fall weather. However, during that good weather, Ken and I were working for a little extra cash and Ken was also working on the design and permitting for our new home (more on that later).

We've had a great time catching up with family and friends. And of course the very best was getting reacquainted with the grandkids. They have grown so much and their individual personalities are taking shape.

Here's Cassidy who turned 13 in September and started junior high this September. What can I say about a little girl turning into a young lady. We've known her since she was a baby of 3; we've watched her grow; and now, we're proud to continue that journey.

And Jake, now 9...I can't say enough about this kid; he keeps finding ways to make us proud. He had a busy summer with baseball and sailing lessons and then started 4th grade in September with soccer, karate (working for his black belt) and even took up ballet. And, he's such a great big brother!

And then there is Miss Ella Kay: at 4, held her breath under water for the first time and since has become quite a little fish. She warms my heart when I enter a room and she yells "Noni" and runs to give me a big hug!! It took awhile for a couple of the younger ones to again recognize "Noni and Boppa", but Ella came around quickly to let me know we were loved and missed!

Ryan turned 3 and is now talking up a storm...in April I couldn't understand a thing; but as the summer has progressed, so has Ryan. And what a cutie; even after a haircut, he still has those beautiful curls!!! It took awhile for Ryan and Brody to feel comfortable with me again, but now I'm old stuff...makes me feel great!!

Brody, who turned 2 in June, didn't much like the water to begin the year; but after our trip to Old Orchard Beach, he really enjoys the waves. Right now his favorite person is his Mom and someday, when he's older, we'll remind him of his day with Noni and Boppa at the beach while Mom took the older kids to the water slides. What a beautiful boy!

Next we were reacquainted with Zander...what a joy. At one and a half, this was our first look at his "not a baby anymore" personality. He's smart as a whip (even counts in Spanish) and look out David Beckham...we could be looking at the next greatest soccer player!

And then there's the youngest Addie who turned 1 in June...you know when you look at her that she KNOWS exactly what's going on and what you're thinking!! She's such a tiny, little lady who has captured our hearts.

And, finally, we found out we'll have #8 in March of 2010. Cassidy, Ella and Addie will be welcoming a new sibling next year...we're all so excited.

We spent a family weekend at Saco/Old Orchard Beach KOA in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. We enjoyed trolley trips to the beach (well, some of us did), swimming at the KOA pool, trip to the waterslide and campfires at night.

Enjoy the slide shows with some of the family pics from this summer.

Even though it consumed most of our time, summer wasn't just about family.

One day was spent with my wonderful friends "wandering" the streets of New York city. We enjoyed a great lunch in Central Park, the great Tony-award-winning actors in "Billy Elliot" and the many blisters on our worn-out feet!!! Here you see Kathy Garabedian, Regina Bucell, Linda Phillips, Susan Kaberry, myself and Sandra Farrer...some of the greatest ladies I am happy to call my friends!!

Spent a little while with the rest of the Hopedale crew...Sandra and Mike, Regina and Mark, Alice and Walt, Kathy and Lenny, Susan and Jim, Kelley and Jack...certainly not enough. Must make a point of spending more time next summer!

Again, though not as much as we would have wanted, Maureen and I were able to get together a few times too...played a few rounds of golf or enjoyed some appetizers while sitting at the Flying Bridge on Falmouth Harbor, as well as enjoying a couple of dinners at J. R. Brody's!

And, I joined the "hole-in-one" club this summer; hole #6, par 3 at Falmouth Country Club, witnessed by Ken, Peter and our dear friend, Russ. All I can remember is repeating over and over again, "get closer", wanting to get that birdie, and then, all of a sudden, it just dropped in...what a feeling!!!

Another "life-altering" change this summer...we bought a lot of land in Mashpee on Canonchet Avenue, on Cataquin Pond. Although we're not even close to the end of our vagabond lives, we felt the economy was ripe for building our little retirement home. The purpose of our travels was to find a place to settle for that retirement, but realized along the way, our home was where our kids and grandkids were...as long as that opportunity was available, we should take it. Ken spent many, many, many hours getting the necerssary permits (Conservation Commission - must be sure we're not disrupting any turtle nests or such - Board of Health) but found we couldn't get it all done before we had no where else to rest the motorhome for the winter. So, we're heading to Myrtle Beach and leaving the rest of the work in the capable hands of Peter...hoping to return next spring with only the finish work left to be done. Peter has promised to send pictures of the progress and we'll share it with all of you through this blog.

So, we're off again...although I'll miss the family, I can't say I'm disappointed...looking forward to the fun to come!!!