Round One

Round One of our vacation is officially complete!

Last week it started out with you boys and Mom going north to spend time with my cousins, Aunt and Uncle. You all went to the beach on Friday in Brunswick. All of my cousins on the Weafer side and all of their kids! 8 Kids in total. Mom said that it was quite a sight to see all of the two year olds playing so well together! She said that at one point each two year old was digging the same hole with no fussing or crying at all!

The next day, my cousin Dick and his wife Heather were swimming he peaks island race in Portland. This was much more than just a race for them as it marked the first time Heather was able to race again since overcoming cancer. It was extremely emotional for both of them and they finished strong too! Dick finished 30-something out of 140 and Heather was in the sixties! Both of you and Mom went to Portland to cheer them on with Kim and Don’s families. Heather and Dick made the front page of the Portland Herald’s sports page the day before this race! The article talked about their long journey through cancer, ect. Pretty exciting!

Mom said that you both had a great time up there. JD, you played with Sam and Lily quite a bit and Adam was kept busy with the other younger kids. You all went back to my Uncle’s place in Brunswick after the race to further celebrate.

I wish I could have been there, but my family has been very busy with my grandparents lately. After Grammies fall, a few weeks ago, we have all pulled together to visit her and stay with Grampie. Uncle Don has been staying with Grampie non-stop since Grammie fell. We have all realized that Grampie has Alzheimer’s and can’t remember too much anymore. If people aren’t with him, he doesn’t really know what’s going on and sometimes even where he is.

Anyway, this is where I was on this weekend, staying with Grampie. Kim and Don stayed with him the prior few nights while Dick and Heather trained for their race. Uncle Don relived me on Sunday and I met you both up in Gray and Grandie’s.

I have to say that I enjoyed staying with Grampie for a few nights. I haven’t stayed over night at that house in over 20 years. It kind of brought those childhood memories back. It was hard to see Grampie in so much disarray, but it also felt good to help him out. I was able to visit Grammie about four times during my stay. At one point I wheeled her out of her room and we hung out, outside for quite a while. We had a great conversation, pieces of which I think I will remember, even if she doesn’t.

The past few months have been most hard on my Uncle and Mom. They have been working around the clock to see that their parent’s needs are met. My cousin Kim, put this schedule together for some of the grandparents to pitch in and help. I think that it was necessary to give Nana and Donnie a break and I know that we were all happy to help out.

SO, Monday morning we left for Moosehead Lake. Dick, Heather and Finn met us in Greenville around noon to get the food shopping out of the way. Prior to meeting them, the four of us had a nice lunch outside on the deck of a restaurant on the Lake. While we were eating a Pontoon Plant buzzed right above us and landed just out on the lake. It looked like it was close enough to touch!

We eventually got to camp and set up tents, put away food, and got settled. It wasn’t long before JD was jumping off the dock into the water! Adam, you were little more tentative but you and Finn made your way in from shore.



Taking the boat over to the island is kind of like walking out to the field at Fenway. Each time is equally amazing, going by familiar docks, seeing the wildlife almost immediately, and pulling into the dock to see the camp for the first time in while. It felt good to be back.

We played in the water for most of this day and were in bed by about 10:00. This was Adam’s first time sleeping in a tent. The last two years that Adam has been up there, we’ve slept inside the camp. Adam, you took to the tent wonderfully. We all slept on air mattresses and inside the tent together. Every night it rained, but only once during the day. I had forgotten how much I enjoy sleeping outside. There is nothing like it, especially in the rain.

During our time on the island we went moose hunting (just looking), explored the backside of the lagoon, and swam and swam and swam!

JD and I made a boat out of sticks that we found on one of our expeditions. We planned ahead and brought rubber bans

to hold the sticks together. The finished product looked pretty cool and it actually floated properly too!

Mom scratched her itch to water ski. We were able to take the boat out to the big lake on one gloomy day. Sure enough Mom got up on her skis right away and off she went. Adam, JD, Dick, Finn and I had a great time watching and encouraging her on!

As is always the case, the adults had great conversation after some drinks at night when the kids were asleep. Dick and Heather are great sounding boards for us, and I hope us for them. It’s nice to have spent so much time with family this summer as our family is going through some changes.
Gramp and Gram are getting older and need more assistance, and all of our little two year olds are getting older and need less. JD said to me many times this week, “Dad, I love this place.” I hope you do and I hope that when Mom and I get old like G and G that you and you kids come here to experience the conversation and inspiration that it continually offers.

Lobsters and a Haircut

It’s the middle of July and we have greatly enjoyed the last two weeks.

We started things off with a Forth of July cookout at our house. This was also a “Welcome Back” for True’s as they returned from Colorado. They came back at a good time as we have spent every Forth with them since we’ve lived in Maine and it was nice to have this year be no different.

People started to arrive around 1:00. We decided the prior day that we would invite people to BYOL, Bring Your Own Lobsters! Everyone did just that. We had quite a few creepy red bugs before it was all said and done and tons and tons of other food. It looked like we had enough food to feed an army.

You guys, Caden, and Lily were completely interested in the lobsters. Chad, the resident lobster expert, took them out and allowed you all to touch them. Adam, you said, “That’s really scary.” Everyone

got a kick out of that! Chad is an excellent cook. He cooked out lobsters and make excellent looking lobster rolls for everyone else. JD, you didn’t want to try lobster this year. You said that you tried it last year and didn’t like it; maybe next year you’ll give it another shot??

We didn’t have fireworks this year, but we DID have a ROCKET! Chad brought at rocket from home. It was pretty neat; he set it up on our stone well thing, backed up and lit it up! It went SO high into the air that we all lost sight of it. We saw it go up high, disappear, and that was it! We all took about 15 minutes to search the neighborhood for it, but came up empty! It served its purpose though; all of the kids were totally impressed by it. I think the adults were too.

After dinner we played a few games of PIG on the basketball court. JD, this is your new favorite game. Everyone was excited to play. Later I gave the kids a ride around the yard on the lawn mower, per Lily’s request (we must be Mainers now). As it got later in the evening, Mom broke out some small sparklers. Lily and you both had fun with these and ended up lighting all of three boxes in about a half hour.

It was a great day all around and nice to have the True’s back in the fold. Carli in known for making some pretty cool dessert cakes and on this day she didn’t disappoint. An American Flag cake, check it out:




After everyone left the four of us decided to turn on the Boston fireworks “Pregame.” As we watched the build up, Adam went into the kitchen and said, “Hungry for Chicken.” We had so many extra chicken wings from earlier provided to us by Chad F. We all agreed with your suggestion, Adam dug in first! After we filled our bellies it was about 10:00, clearly way passed bedtime. Mom and I decided that we would let you both stay up to watch he fireworks on TV as it was only about a half hour away. Before I knew it, it was about midnight when I woke up on the couch to the three you snoring away. It appeared none of us would see those the fireworks this year.

The next day we all slept until about 9:00. What a nice treat and a well-deserved long nights sleep. We arrived on Plum Island in Newburyport around 10:30. Funny, this is where Mom and I used to come before we were married. It has changed quite a bit. I remembered it having more of a beach. We met Colin, Carli, and Lily and on this day, we had the beach to ourselves.

Colin and I worked with all of you kids to build a BIG sandcastle. The pictures I took of it really don’t do it justice. Lily helped Colin make little castles to decorate the top of our big mound-castle, JD added some height to the castle and had much fun making tunnels from one end to the other, and Adam had to be stopped from smashing JD’s tunnels! Mom and Car had some nice catch up talk to take care of while we constructed our caste. This beach had a pretty cool rock jetty that you both enjoyed walking on.

After the beach we went to Leanna and Adams house for another small cookout. Adam made some chicken and burgers and Mom brought her yummy dessert. Adam and Marin spent some time playing in her schoolhouse tent, while JD, Adam and I played kickball around the yard. We also discovered that they have peaches, apples, grapes, and blackberries growing in their yard!

Sunday rolled around and we FINALLY bought a couch. JD, you know how much I disliked our old couch. Mom and I bought it about 10 years ago, and it looked like it was about 20 years old! The couch we bought is fine for now, Mom and I both like it very much. We also rearranged almost our entire house on this day. Adam, you took a much needed (and appreciated by us) FIVE hour nap! This allowed us a lot of time to get things situated!

Last week brought the beginning of, “Hot Summer Nights” in South Berwick center. Every Thursday from the beginning of July through the end of August the town has a band of some sort play for free at night. Last Thursday was one of our favorite local guys, Slaid Cleaves! He was born
around here but makes a living in Texas signing mostly Folk/Country/Rock music. He was great on this night. Adam, you put on a show for everyone by shaking your thing for his first few songs. You both got your faces painted later in the evening. Adam, you got a plane on one cheek and a truck on the other. JD, you got the, “Incredible Hulk” on your cheek! Slaid was so good on this night; we enjoyed the show with Kevin and Jessie from down the street. JD even got Slaid's autograph!

Saturday of last weekend, we spent at Ocean Park. Mom really wanted the four of us to spend this day together and we figured Ocean Park would be a great place to relax. Mom says that we always have perfect days here and Saturday was no different. We arrived at about 9:30 and immediately set up camp as the tide was headed out. There were very few people on the beach when we arrived and we were able to just sit and enjoy the beach for a bit.

After hanging out in front of the Billow House, playing in the sand, we took a walk down to the creek. Once again NO sand dollars, but you guys both had so much fun in the fast moving water. JD, you brought your boogie board down and rode it from one end to the other. Adam, you spent most of your time jumping off the sides of the sand into the creek. The current was pretty strong but you insisted upon walking through it by yourself, not holding my hand. We must have spent and hour and a half at the creek alone.

We left the beach around 4:00 and headed home. You both conked out in the backseat by the time we hit the highway. Later that night I went out in Portsmouth with Chad and Colin and you both went…..to sleep!

Yesterday, Sunday, we all slept until 8:00. I was very happy about this! In the morning Adam and I went outside to hit some golf balls. Adam, you clearly are going to swing golf clubs and baseball bats as a lefts. This made things difficult for you as JD’s small clubs are a set of right-handed clubs. This didn’t stop you though; we were out there for a while!

Soon enough I was off to play golf with Chris, Chad and Chad for Chris’ birthday. Adam, you wanted to come with me so badly saying, “Addie come golf, Addie come golf?” You were quite upset when I pulled off. You and Mom brought JD to a birthday party for Owen. Mom said that all of the kids came running up to her car, as they were so happy to see JD. Mom said that it was quite the sight to see.

We all met at the Hamers house for a cookout late in the day. The boys played 18 holes in about 5.5 hours and the ladies and kids, along with some other people, were waiting for us back at the house. It was a perfect day for golf and nice to see everyone at night.

Throughout the course of this week, we also cut Adams hair. We sat him on the bar stool on the deck and gave him some chocolate. This might have been the only thing we could have given him to ensure he would sit still for a few minutes. Along with the chocolate, I distracted Ad while mom trimmed his hair. Adam, as you saw you’re hair being cut off, you had a concerned look on your face and your said, “Addie’s hair??”

"It Won't Work"

Mom has started her summer routine with you both and has packed up the weekdays with all sorts of fun stuff. Mondays typically she hangs out with Leanna, Marin and others, Tuesday JD’s friend Regan comes over for the day, Wednesday you guys are hanging with another one of Mom’s pals and her two boys, and Thursday’s is JD’s day with Gavin!

A few weeks ago, you two were shipped up to Grandie and PopPops once again for Friday night. I had a year end celebration for work in Concord, NH. My office was the top performing office for FY 08, vs. last year’s numbers and the number two revenue generating office over all. The company thought it would be a good idea to put all of us up in a hotel and have an awards ceremony and casino night. A good time was had by all and Mom and I were out late on that Friday.

The next morning I was off to Grandpa’s and Mom back to Berwick. She was nice enough to take my place at the T Ball trophy ceremony in town. She handed out all of the trophies to the kids and was able to collect some of the last money for the batathon. After this she went up to Gray to join you both on Saturday.

Grandpa and I met my Uncle Jeff and cousin Jeff for a Sox game on this Saturday afternoon. My uncle and I were talking over Easter and we decided to put something like this together so that we weren’t just bumping into each other on holidays. Grandpa and Uncle Jeff both scored tickets from clients at work. Grandpa got great seats about 25 rows from the field and oddly enough there were two empty seats next to us. I think they were the only two empty seats in the whole place. We hollered over the Jeff and Jeff and they were able to sit with us for the games entirety.

Grandpa and I went into the park around 1:30 for a 4:00 start. He said that he has never been to Fenway that early for a game before. We went to Boston Billiards and hung out there until the game started. We all had an awesome time. It was great to talk with my cousin and Uncle about stuff. We mostly talked about my Grandpa. Jeff and Dad told Jeffrey and I some stories that we hadn’t heard before. We got some great laughs and it was nice to celebrate those memories with family. In one of my last entries I said that a few weeks ago I had one of those “Perfect days.” This day had that same type of feeling for me. The day just flowed nice and easy. It was very comfortable and nice to spend some one on one time with my Dad prior to the game. It hardly mattered at all that the Cardinals smoked the Sox. It was actually probably one of the worst played games this season!

The next day, after a short trip to see Nana, I was headed back up North and you three were heading south. You both had a nice time at Grandie's. You took out the boat and played around quite a bit.

During this week Adam, you have started to use the toilet before jumping in the tub. You’ve been so proud of yourself and at this point it’s become your before bath ritual. The other night you couldn’t seem to go and you just stood there confused for a minute. You eventually gave up saying, “It won’t work!”

Unfortunately we had some bad news this week. Grammie (who is 88) was standing on the toilet seat cleaning her bathroom when she slipped off and broke her shoulder and her hip on her left side. Grampie was frantic and called Nana who came down and called 911. This happened on a Thursday evening. I got the call from Auntie Meg when I was playing golf with Chris and Chad.

The next morning I took off work and went up to help Nana as best I could. We spent the day in the hospital with my cousin Kim, Uncle Don and Aunt Cathy. I feel so bad for both Grammie and Grampie. Grammie will be in rehab for a long time and Grampie is learning not to blame himself.

For a few years when I worked in Newton, MA I spent a lot of time with G and G. I played more golf with Grampie in one season than I ever have before or since. I ate lunch with them often and truly got to know them both. Not just as Grandparents but as people. I remember driving home after a visit and realizing that they are people just like us, but that happen too much older. The interests they have haven’t changed too much since they were 20 or 30. Their sense of humor isn’t too different, and they have similar opinions, they simply got old. It must suck to get old. You don’t “feel” too much different mentally but your body just starts to break down.

Anyway, she is in a rehab facility as of yesterday and we’ve all got a bit of a long road ahead.

While I was helping out Nana, you boys, Mom and As, spend the day at Untie Megs and the night at Grandpa’s. Grandma and Grandpa were nice enough to take you in with no notice and you guys had a good time. Grandpa and JD practiced throwing marshmallows in each other’s mouths, and Ad reeked havoc as usual!

The next day you came to Nana’s too. You were both very well behaved. We played outside with the Frisbee and baseballs and downstairs with Nintendo. JD, you wanted to try sleeping on the couch on the porch and must to everyone’s surprise, you made it though the night out there. It must have been fun! I was able to sneak in some time with Cauf and Mikey late Saturday night too.

We all left early Sunday and were able to enjoy the day very much. JD and I have been playing “PIG” quite a bit lately with the basketball. Adam, you try and try to shoot your ball high enough into the hoop but you’re not quite there yet. JD, we have done shots standing on one foot, with leaves and sticks on our heads, we’ve used Adams trucks as props, and many other funny ways to shoot the ball.

JD, you also bought a blow up pool recently with some of your birthday money. It’s pretty large for a kid’s pool and its come in very handy during this heat. You helped Mom set it up, which took a while. Adam you still enjoy wearing your swimmy arm things around the house for hours at a time, usually while sporting one of your pairs of sunglasses. It’s quite the sight to see!



Its funny, we live busy lives and we all know that, but over the past two weeks I was able to spend time with my Dad’s side of the family and my Mom’s for two extremely different reasons. Interestingly enough the feeling I had in both circumstances was similar. I can’t really explain it. It was more than just love (a word that means a lot but is overused). It was a sense of obligation and belonging. I remember years ago talking with my Uncle Don over a cigar. We were talking about the last stages of life and he said, “In the end, all you have is your family.” He didn’t say this in a negative way at all, more stating that family will always be there through whatever is tossed at you. At that time I discarded that comment. Back then I talked to my friends about most things, traveled with them and knew them inside and out. Over the years I have seen small signs of what Donnie was saying. I think back on that conversation and I wonder if he might be right.