"Bug Light" House in South Portland, Maine!

Can't believe we've been to Maine sooooo many times and never made our way to this cute lighthouse. It's called "Bug Light" and it was built in 1875 and it is seriously one for the most elegant lighthouses in Maine. It was built with plates of cast iron and was dubbed "Bug Light" due to its small size and it's the cutest thing this side of the Atlantic Ocean! Every time we come to Maine we always go to Cape Neddick to see the Nubble lighthouse and although that will always be my favorite my second favorite is now this cute little bug light! The history behind all these lighthouses are amazing and love that we have them all over the ocean for a wonderful purpose to always guide us on the way home!

Maine In The Summer Of 2020.

Our summer vacations this year were absolutely nothing that we thought. Due to the 14-day quarantine requirements we decided to stay close to home and explore more of New England. Specifically Maine. We spent a few days in Nantucket in July and this month headed to the outskirts of Maine. There is so much to do in this part of the world and as much as I wanted to visit my mom and niece in Texas and sister in Florida those states are swarming with corona and with school starting soon didn't want to have us cooped up in the house for another quarantine. Going to Maine was the perfect getaway for us. The outdoors is something that we love and being that Jon is an eagle scout was excited to have gone to the LL Bean wilderness camp with Noah. It was really a cool camp and wish the boys would have stayed here forever. Chelsea was jealous and wishes that girls camp was held here. Or that we just lived here period! That could possibly be arranged but we drove everywhere from Portland to York to Freeport where the famous LL Bean boot resides. We shopped till we dropped, ate lobster rolls, and lots of ice cream and with an abundance of caution distanced ourselves from others. It was a nice little get away. Because I captured so many moments you can view many images on my Instagram. Here are a few photos from our trip....

Photos From Last Weekend In Maine.

Every time we travel through New England Maine is a must see, get down, sit and walk along the edge of the beach kind of place. Especially since there is a lighthouse. Cape Neddick is one of my favorite little towns in Maine, and no matter the distance from Boston we always, always make the trip up here. 

Scenes From Our Day In Cape Neddick, Maine.

I'm finally posting more photos from our Labor Day weekend in New England particularly when we were in Maine. We fell in love with Cape Neddick when we first visited here nine years ago. It's pretty much has been tradition to spend labor day weekend here, and attend the Boston temple with our kids now that they are of age. There have been times when we've come and the days here are super cloudy, and foggy but isn't that how Maine usually is?

Happy Labor Day From New England!

We are currently in Maine spending our last days of summer before school starts again this week! It truly is beautiful here, and every summer when we come here we never want to leave! New England is super special to us since we almost moved here five years ago. I am still hoping that time will come in the near future, but for now we will take all the New England days trips, and vacations we can get! Hope everyone is enjoying their Labor Day weekend, and that y'all have a wonderful week ahead! 

Labor Day Weekend in New England.

Labor day weekend for us was unforgettable. This is the one holiday where I look forward to a last hurrah before school resumes. And although I'm excited for the kids to start school it's always nice to finish the summer off with a trip where we can relax, eat good food, and enjoy each other's company. Even if our two youngest nag on each other on the drive up the fact that they are in loving arms upon our arrival assures me that their bickering never lasts. And it's all good. 

Here's a little video I made too, you can view it here on vimeo. 

On Sunday we drove by the temple in Connecticut which is located in one of the sweetest towns I know which is Farmington. It's 20 minutes away from Hartford, and this temple is so beautiful, and so white! I love the architecture, and it is so new england! The kids really love and appreciate the temples, and so I captured a few moments of them on the lawn. It's pretty much complete, and will be ready to be open to the public for free tours on September 30 through October 22. So if you live anywhere close to Hartford I encourage you to please attend. We are so excited to attend once it's opened! 

On our way to Maine we made a pit stop in Boston to see the temple there as well. This is one of my favorite temples. We didn't spend too much time here, but were so grateful to have had Rich take our picture for us. While we used our selfie stick to take a picture of us in front of the Connecticut temple it's always nice to have someone get a full photo of all of us with the temple in the background. 

I absolutely love taking photos in front of this sign. This seems to be our usual spot for photos since Noah was a baby. I look back at this post, and can't believe how quickly this boy has grown!!

I also captured a few moments of Noah walking around the temple. He's always willing to strike a pose for me. 

We stopped at a rest stop for potty breaks, and let the kids run around for a bit. I absolutely love this part of Maine. So outdoorsy! Noah saw Smoky, and once again he let me take a picture of him! 

As we were driving towards Cape Neddick we stopped to capture a few moments with this scenery! So picturesque! 

Cape Neddick is one of our favorite places to go and take in the sounds of the waves crashing against the rocks. I can tell that it also relaxes the kids. Noah kept saying, "I wish i lived here." He absolutely has a love for the ocean as we all do so. 

We had lunch at one of our favorite restaurants in Kittery. Oh my gosh! I absolutely love this place. The food here is truly authentic to the taste, and the barbacoa here reminds me of home. This mexican restaurant for Maine is perfect! The first time we ate here I was in shock that it was so good. Being mexican-american and from Texas I know how true, authentic mexican food should taste, and this place hit it on the nose! Those tacos are truly loco!! 

My cheat for the entire trip! A sundae split! 

There are two things that the kids look forward to when we come to New England...the temples, and lighthouses. We absolutely love visiting here, and I swear it never gets old. 

Happy Christmas!

^^ Cape Neddick, Maine-July 2013 ^^

"See the nearness and the clearness of the blessed Christmas star, leading, guiding, wise men riding through the desert dark and far. Lovely showing, shining growing, onward going, gleaming slowly, leading still, our Christmas star."

The year 2013 brought us many memories, and we want to remember only the ones that brought us LIGHT and joy. Memories such as seeing our firstborn Sierra graduate high school with honors, and entering a college of the arts. A new job for Jon. My calling as a Gospel Doctrine teacher, and my newest calling as secretary in the Young Women Stake Presidency, and seeing my first article published in the Deseret News. 

It's times like this where we want to hear from our loved ones near and far to hear about their accomplishments, and adventures. Some share their trials, and heartaches, and my prayers go out for those that do. Although 2013 brought us a few blips in our life we are grateful for them because those blips are what keeps us going. Our children bring us great joy, and I'll share just a little bit about them. The only major change that occurs with them each year is that they get older, and smarter! 

And we have been blessed by four awesome kids! 

Sierra (18) graduated with honors from high school, and after much praying, and pondering decided to attend the University of The Arts in Philadelphia. She completed her first semester, but is looking to transfer to another university next year. Without getting into major detail the curriculum at UARTS was not quite what she expected, but did learn a lot from her piano teacher, and from a few of her professors by advising her on goals for her future. She will miss living in the city, but is looking forward to attending another institution. Looks like she has more praying and pondering to do before winter break is over. She did receive a letter in the mail from Brigham University in Provo to apply for a scholarship. Apparently this scholarship is specifically for those students who were admitted to BYU but attended another institution. This scholarship will cover full-time tuition, books, on-campus housing, and a modest allowance for summer term at BYU. Who can pass that up! She has decided to apply for it, and is hoping to attend in the summer time. Who knows...maybe that will be her chosen school. All I know is that I pray she chooses the right school so I can stop stressing! It'll all work out I'm sure. 

Alexandra (13) is in the eighth grade & continues to excel academically in school, and is the most laser focused child I have ever had. She never brings anything home under a 98, and can read thick chapter books (sometimes three series at a time) within two days!! I kid you not. She is a voracious reader through and through, and books are literally her best friend. She continues to play the violin, and loves it. She is currently the Beehive President in the Young women for our church.  

Chelsea (8) is in the third grade, and is doing great in school, & like her sisters brings home A's, and loves to play the piano. We still plan on getting her into cello lessons, but just informed us that she would like to learn how to play the ukulele. She loves books, and watching Disney movies with her little brother. 

Noah (4) is my ray of sunshine. My only boy, and I love him so much! He is spoiled by us all, and when he isn't torturing Chelsea he loves anything star wars, loves to play with his legos, train track, and from time to time will give him technology time on PBS.kids. 

We have learned that no matter what trials come our way that hope is never lost. To know that there is a LIGHT that will lead and guide us in the right direction, so that we can always find our way home, and never lose sight of what's important. 

We are so grateful for the restored gospel and for the LIGHT of Christ which gives us hope to never give up...knowing that He will always be there to lead and guide us through every footstep. We love you and wish you a Happy Christmas that's merry and bright...and a blessed New Year too! 

With love, 

US

our adventures in New England.

This is how much we love New England. 

Although we spent most of our days in Newport we also drove to Maine, ate at this magnificent Mexican restaurant in Kittery, explored the outlet stores, saw two lighthouses, and also stopped by the Boston temple on the way home.

A lot of driving was done, but when you have three wonderful states of New England huddled within a 180 mile radius it's worth the driving time. Luckily we are a singing, license plate, i spying game playing kind of family while traveling on the road. I'm pretty archaic when it comes to road trips without the movie watching, always sleeping (unless your really tired, and have been lacking sleep all week like Sierra), and nonstop radio playing. Okay...so I may have given in a little with Noah by handing him my phone to play a game, but he was such a good little traveler I couldn't say no.

There was so much that I wanted to record, and vine but I was appreciating every moment spent with these kids. They all knew that this would be the last long traveling trip with Sierra...at least for a while.

Enjoying this time without documenting their every move actually felt good. Sometimes it feels so nice to just walk along the ocean without a camera in hand, pick up rocks with your kid without creaking your neck trying to take a selfie (which I hardly ever do), and sit on the rocks off of the Cliff Walk with your little one to hear the waves crashing.

Okay...so I do take a lot of photos, but we do need memories for our posterity right?

So here are some moments of our trip to New England, and I hope that everyone has a wonderful long Labor Day weekend!

Jamestown-Verrazano bridge

 Point Judith lighthouse & rock towers.

Cliff Walk at Narragansett, RI

 Mansions at the cliff walk.

^^ Nubble lighthouse, in Cape Neddick, Maine ^^

^^ woke up to a foggy morning in Maine but still had smiles on our faces ^^

Special thanks to my husband who was my photographer throughout this trip.

And to the tripod that helped in taking this family photo of us! 

**The stars were definitely aligned in giving us these wonderful moments!**