At lunch we dined on a rocky beach looking out onto the Atlantic Ocean.

Day two featured a morning hike on the Lineken Preserve with several stunning vistas of the Damariscotta River.

Everywhere you look in Maine, you are sure to see something that floats on the water. The small buoys in the foreground are connected to ubiquitous lobster traps, each color-coded to identify the owner.

Our first hike was a quick late afternoon stroll through the Porter Preserve with southern views of the Sheepscot River.

We stayed at a very lovely bed and breakfast on Hogsdon Island, nestled among the rivers and inlets that define the Maine coastline in this area. We were part of a hiking group that explored a number of land trust conservation areas.

Jeanine and I took a long weekend to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. We spent the bulk of our time in and around Booth Bay Harbor, Maine, but stopped for lunch in Portsmouth, NH, on the way up.

Mother and grandmother see Maya off to school. Maya did ten really good pushups this morning.

My parents arrived today to watch the kids for the weekend while Jeanine and I take a long weekend in Maine to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. My father celebrates his 81st birthday and 49th wedding anniversary tomorrow and Jeanine treated us to a mango cheesecake to mark the occasion.

Nico heads out for school on his scooter. Note to self: Remind Nicolai that helmet is not a fashion accessory and works better when the chin strap is fastened.

This little fellow was perched on our porch railing this morning.

I happened upon Tower Place in Maynard last night. It is an old mill that has been converted into a mixed residential and business complex overlooking the water supply that used to drive the machinery.

Kyle looking rather handsome this morning.

Maya and Nico had their soccer games cancelled due to poor field conditions. Kyle rolled his ankle early in his game and was forced to sit out. I am still nursing my groin pull and missed another weekend. It was Maya’s family night and she picked Movies & Smoothies. We watched Virginia’s Run (about a girl and a horse – the boys loved it too) and made ice cream smoothies.

Nico and Jake posing with Aunt Mayela.