We Four "P's" and Our Pod

Or as AJ calls it..."cation"!!! The Pouliot Family took their very first family vacation. During our week off together, we experienced MANY wonderfully fun things together. It was absolutely amazing and a blast to experience some of these familiar places through AJ's eyes. Robbie of course enjoyed himself too. I can't wait to do some of these things again when he's older.

Monday - Story Land (Glen, NH)

We started our vacation with a trip to Story Land and our first night away from home at a hotel. Our trip started bright and early. We dropped the Harley & Lulu off to the "doggy hotel" and headed on up to the mountains. AJ exclaimed "LOOK MOMMA!! THE MOUNTAINS!!!" every time he saw one. I'm sure you can now imagine how many times we heard about them on the way up ;) The boys dozed off for a bit in the car as we made our way to the park. When we slowed down to pull into the parking lot, AJ's eyes whipped open and he yelled, "WE'RE HEEEE-RRRRE! WE'RE ON 'CATION!!!!" He was beyond thrilled to see Humpty Dumpty. And he was super excited to see that there were rides and all kinds of things to climb on. Among his favorites....the slides, the tigers, the choo-choo train, and the flying shoes that he could go "high high in the sky"! Story Land was a blast!

AJ had to bring Teddy of course on his very first trip to Story Land. Can you tell by his smile that he's excited?!

Teddy needed to get comfy in his own seat...it is a long ride after all.

"We're HEEEE-EEEERRRE! We're on 'Cation!"

Of course we had to stop and see Humpty Dumpty when we rolled into the park. And of course, we can't ALL be looking at the camera at the same time.

At least Robbie looks good in this one ;)

Daddy took AJ on his very first ride...the teacups!

AJ LOVED the rides!

After his ride on the tea cups, AJ spotted Humpty Dumpty walking around the park. Here he is waving to Humpty (he didn't dare get too close)...and then telling Humpty to "GET TO WORK!"

AJ was so proud of himself for riding on the carousel on his very own horse...without Momma holding on ("I DO MYSELF, MOMMA. I BIG AND STRONG!")

All of the excitement proved to be too much for Robbie. He snoozed for the last hour in the park.

AJ held his own while in the park...but didn't make the 4 mile ride to the hotel.

After the park, it was time to retreat to our hotel room and rest up for the ride home the next day. I wasn't expecting it to go well, but overall it was way better than we thought. Robert fell asleep and stayed asleep until bottle time. And it only take AJ two extra hours to fall asleep. Once he did fall asleep, he STAYED asleep until the morning!

AJ thought it would be a good idea for he and Teddy to watch a movie in bed.

This is the face I woke up to in the morning at the foot of the bed!

The ride home was loooooong so AJ needed to get comfortable.

Tuesday - Home (Nashua, NH)

On Tuesday, we decided to stay close to home for the afternoon after our trip to Story Land. The boys got reacquainted with naps and their own beds and geared up for our adventure on Wednesday.

Robbie gets reacquainted with Harley and Lulu after their night at the "doggy hotel".

AJ unwinds from the Story Land excitement with a cookie!

Wednesday - New England Aquarium (Boston, MA)

On Wednesday, we ventured off to Boston to visit the "big fishies" at the aquarium. AJ couldn't decide what to look at first. He loved the penguins and fur seals, but the GIANT fish tank in the middle caught his eye and held his attention the longest. He squealed and screeched with terror and excitement each time a big fish would "come to see AJ". AJ brought a new friend home from the aquarium....a fuzzy seal that he named "Lamby".

AJ started the journey super excited to see some fishies...

But both boys petered out soon after we left the driveway. I think they were still tuckered out from their visit to "Humpty Dumpty's house".

When we arrived at the New England Aquarium, AJ was fascinated with all that there was to see. He took in a few exhibits before moving on to the big tank.

But perhaps what caught AJ's eye the fastest was the BIG "pirate ship" ... that of COURSE belongs to Jake of Jake and the Neverland Pirates!

Thursday - Charmingfare Farm (Candia, NH)

We visited a family favorite...the Charmingfare Farm. Though this was AJ's third trip to the farm, I think this was the first time he realized that there were animals there. Ha ha ha! He had a great time petting the sheep, feeding the goats, and looking at all the amazing animals they have at the farm. The only thing he wasn't so sure of was the pony ride...even though Mommy stood and waited in line for his turn in the hot hot sun for 40 minutes. *sigh*

AJ got "bored" with feeding the goats...so he decided to have some fun with his hat out in the field.

We found these guys hanging out on the trail by the bears.

Waiting our turn for a pony ride!

...And not getting on the pony.

AJ loved the reindeer. He can't wait for this guy to bring Santa to our house!

Friday - A Visit with Cousin Ryan and Grammy (Amherst, NH)
....check out the next blog post...it's worthy of it's own post ;)

Saturday - Old Home Day (Webster, NH)
On Saturday, we decided to go back to Webster to check out Old Home Day and visit some good friends for a long overdue visit. AJ was excited for the parade with fire trucks. Daddy was excited to see the fire trucks too ;)

Watching as the fire trucks make their way down the street.

"Look Daddy! A fire truck!!!"

The fire trucks were LOUD!

AJ and Daddy pose with Engine 2...the fire truck that AJ helped Daddy design when he was just a little tyke!

We paused for another photo op with Engine 2 on our way home.

I'd say this is a sign of a full successful day!

Our first Pouliot Family vacation was busy and jam-packed with lots of new experiences. It was a blast...but I'm exhausted and ready to enjoy a cup of coffee at my desk in peace and quiet ;)

The summer heat had us searching for ways to keep cool. We spent time outside in the sunshine, swam in the shade, and when it was just too hot, we stayed inside in the air conditioning and found ways to keep busy.

We celebrated a major accomplishment for AJ at the start of the month. AJ made some huge progress with potty training, so we had ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery! He was a hap-hap-happy little boy!

No really...he was happy...he's just all "business" about finishing his ice cream!

See? Happy!

And while AJ made progress with potty training, Robbie worked very hard at learning to crawl!

The boys spent LOTS of quality time together...a concept that AJ is still getting used to!

"Master Robert" - 8 Months

Daddy supervises while AJ fills the pool!

It doesn't get any "cooler" than this kid!

Ryan just adores his littlest cousin! Robbie seems to like him just fine too ;)

AJ practiced learning to ride his bike all by himself.

Robbie catches some Zzzz's out in the warm summer air!

While Robbie naps, AJ plays hide & seek!

Yes....the sprinkler does an amazing job at washing the undercarriage!

Lulu finds her own way to beat the heat....Party Animal!

While the kids were at school, we played hooky and enjoyed a day out on the coast. A lovely cruise around Nubble Light and then off to the Portsmouth Brewery to FINALLY use a gift certificate that we got for a wedding a present!

AJ and Robbie love to visit Daddy at the fire station. So after school, we sometimes stop in at "Daddy's Office" to see the pumper truck!

Popsicles are AJ's new favorite summer treat. Luckily for us, they are one of the few things he likes to share with Robbie.

Too hot to be outside....staying cool inside in our fort!

AJ had to take a trip to the doctor. He insisted on bringing his doctor kit and a couple of patients. He did FANTASTIC and is now not at all afraid of the doctor!

Minions have been a hit in this house. AJ even got to go to his first movie with Daddy! Despicable Me 2 of course!

Ryan enjoys a minion cupcake!

Thursday nights have become "family night". We get together with the DuVarney family and let the kids spend some quality time together. I just love this scene as they color pictures for each other :)