Happy Monday, friends! We just got back from an AH-MAZING week in Maine and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. Grab your coffee and let’s chat!

Okay, first of all, Maine is as beautiful as everybody says it is. Seriously one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.

What brought us out to Maine, you ask? Good question!

Joe’s aunt and uncle have a vacation home in a tiny fishing town off the coast and every year they invite Joe’s mom’s side of the family there for a little rest, relaxation and reunion. This was the first time we were able to make it out there and goodness, I wish we would have started going years ago!

Can we first talk about this house?? It was built in 1850. Yes, that is 1850 as in more than 150 years old! Those of you who know me, know I am such a sucker for homes with charm, character and history to them. You walk in them and can feel the stories and memories the walls hold. I was in love the moment we pulled up. Wouldn’t you be??

Oh, and there was a BARN on the property!

If the age of the home wasn’t enough, the front porch sent my heart leaping. I have ALWAYS dreamt of owning a house with a front porch someday, so it was nice to pretend for a week :).

Oh, and you can’t tell from this picture but we had a view of the water right from the front porch. Be still my heart! We spent much of our days front-porch sitting, enjoying the perfect weather and playing outside in the glorious green that surrounded us.

The home was filled with plenty of old charm that made my heart beat faster; like the vintage books, original door knobs and an old school pencil sharpener. Love it!

This was one of my very favorite rooms of the house.

The combination of the wood beams, dreamy light and shelves of books made this room feel magical. I loved watching Bella play in here.

Don’t worry, we didn’t just spend all day in the house. We enjoyed plenty of outdoor fun.

Bella loved playing with her cousin Caroline’s dog Nutmeg (who got an unfortunate nickname thanks for Bella’s mispronunciation!) and enjoyed being both a ballerina and baseball player :).

Maine wouldn’t be complete without some hammock and patio chair goodness. I spent many a time reading on this bad boy (the hammock, that is!).

I’m a Wisconsin girl, so I had no idea what “tide pools” were. Joe kept talking about them before we left for the trip and I just nodded my head and smiled.

I can now officially say that I not only know what a tide pool is but I have been to several. And even touched some snails in them!

Joe and Bella were much more adventurous that me in the “tide pool creature holding”. They found and held snails, crabs, hermit crabs and even a little lobster. Bella takes after her Daddy in being fearless like that!

And of course, our adventures wouldn’t have been complete without the people we shared them with.

We are so grateful for the time we got to spend with Joe’s family.

The week was such a blessing to our family and we will hold it dear to our hearts for life.

The group: cousin Laura, Aunt Kerry, Bella, Uncle Joe, Aunt Connie, Kristi (Joe’s mom), Becca (Joe’s sis), Joe and Me

Did any of you do any cool traveling this summer? I’d love to hear your adventures!