During Labour Day weekend, we went camping with Adam's brother and his wife at Porter's Lake Provincial Park. We had hoped to fit in a hike on Day 2, but we were rained out. Luckily Porter's Lake isn't far from us, so I think we'll be back to check out Crowbar Lake hiking trail this fall.

 

Here are some photos from the weekend:

 

{thrilled to be part of tent set-up}

{best buds}

{rocky beach}

{did I mention that Hannah loves rocks?}

{the water was cold, but still refreshing}

{this is the life}

{the grassy camp site was perfect for playing}

{peekaboo, tent-style}

{maritime must-have}

{my first grilled pizza - delicious!}

{first campfire}

{hot coffee on a wet morning}

The rain was so bad on Sunday that we decided to head home early (next year we'll pack our rain suits). Adam's brother and his wife came to our house and we "camped" there instead. A different kind of fun, but still a great time!

The long weekend is here and we're going camping. Can you believe it will be our first camping trip of the year? And Hannah's first camping trip, period. Just for fun, I put together a list of my top five camping essentials (you know, once you've got the basics like a tent and sleeping bags covered).

1. A comfy sweater or sweatshirt. Campfires are obviously one of the best parts of camping, but a comfy sweater on a cool night makes the campfire even more enjoyable. Better still when your comfy sweater is also cute.
2. Since our camping trips usually involve a hike or two, I'd love to add a bento box to my stash of camping supplies. An easy and space-saving way to transport your lunch and no trash to deal with after!
3. A good blanket is a camping must. Use it during the day to create the perfect picnic or beach spot, or at night as an extra layer around the campfire or in your tent. Plus, this one is plaid - how can you not love it?
4. Part of why camping is so great: the food! I love a good s'more, but I hate searching for roasting sticks (probably because I never remember to go looking until after dark). I love the colourful handles on this marshmallow roasting set, but you can also make your own.
5. There is nothing better than a hot cup of coffee on a cool morning while camping. Seriously. Our perc isn't nearly this shiny, but I wouldn't dare leave home without it.

Any campers out there? What's on your list? Given the weather forecast for Sunday, a tarp should be #6 ;)

Here are a few camping-related links for your enjoyment. Happy long weekend! xo

-A printable camping checklist
-For the love of DIY: Camping Hacks
-The top 25 camping sites in Canada. Do you agree?
-A pretty genius camping trick from Emily at Go Haus Go

We arrived home from vacation late Monday night and are still settling back into our daily routine. Life after vacation takes some getting used to.

 

Thanks to everyone who provided tips and suggestions for the long car ride - we made frequent pit stops and brought along plenty of snacks, books and toys to keep Hannah entertained. Our 'Babies Go Radiohead' and 'Babies Go Beatles' CDs were also in heavy rotation ;) Hannah was awesome and we'll definitely make the trip again.

 

We spent most of the week at my cousins' cottage in New Hampshire. Hannah got to meet some of her extended family - including two brand new cousins - swim in the lake and take her first boat ride. Adam and I got to relax and enjoy all the best parts of a cottage vacation (think: eating, drinking, boating, swimming and hanging out by the campfire). We ended our trip with friends - and another new baby! - in Ogunquit, Maine. We stayed at Anchorage By the Sea, which I highly recommend (full disclosure: we know the family who owns the hotel through friends, but it's a fantastic spot regardless). We took Hannah to the beach for the first time - she loved it! - and yes, she ate sand.

 

We also went to York Beach to attend a good friend's wedding. The wedding was beautiful and Adam and I loved having a night out together. It was so great to see all of my closest friends from college - I really miss those days sometimes! We keep saying that we need to get together more often, but have yet to make it happen.

 

Anyway, here are a few several shots from our trip. Let's be honest, they're mostly just pictures of Hannah :)

 

{Our first pit stop in Sackville, New Brunswick}

{Quintessential Canadian road trip photo}

{Uh, this is a new face!}

 

{Early birthday presents in America}

{She was obsessed with this walker at the lake}

{Swimming at the lake}

{The lake has it all}

{Hannah and her new best friend, Trigger}

{Loving her first boat ride; the life jacket, not so much}

{Fascinated with the boat's wake}

{Awkward family photo}

{Ogunquit, ME}

{Eating sand at the beach}

{First dip in the ocean}

I didn't want to lug my camera around at the wedding, so I'm afraid I don't have any photos to share. Also, I try not to post pictures of friends and family on my blog, since I'm conscious that not everyone wants to share their life on the Internet (cue side-eyes from Adam and Hannah).

Back tomorrow with a little bedroom update!

Because we just may be crazy, Adam and I decided to take a whirlwind road trip through Quebec and Ontario (crazy because I'm 7+ months pregnant). The drive turned out to be no big deal - I used a pillow to keep my back from getting sore and stretched out in the back seat for a few naps as needed (well, as much as you can stretch out in a Nissan Versa anyway). We had The Hunger Games trilogy audiobooks to keep us entertained, along with loads of snacks (pretty much my favourite part about road trips). Here are a few photos snapped along the way:

1. Driving through Quebec on day one. I totally understand why they call it "la belle province".
2. Pretty flowers at Montreal's Atwater Market.
3. Mmmm...Montreal, you make good pastries.
4. View of the city from atop "the mountain".
5. Checking out the Plants and Animals show at NXNE in Toronto.
6. Posing with Niagara Falls.
7. Consoling ourselves with Thai food after learning that the Radiohead show had been cancelled.
8. And then checking out the free Flaming Lips show instead. Also overheard a fellow concert-goer not-so-quietly commenting to her friend about me: "She's really pregnant. She should be wearing better shoes."
9. After a quick visit with friends in Kingston (I can't wait to share the photos of their amazing bathroom reno with you guys!), we made our way home (stopping in NB for the night - we're not that crazy!).
10. Arrived home to find these beautiful peonies blooming in our garden (alongside loads of weeds, sigh). I'm enjoying their delicious scent as I type this :)

We had a great trip - with amazing weather - and got to squeeze in a few visits with friends and family along the way. Of course, it's always nice to come home, too. Do you have any road trips planned this summer?

Adam and I escaped to Boston for a few days and arrived home late last night (we drove, so luckily we didn't have to deal with any of the airport chaos). While I get back into the swing of things, here are some highlights from our trip (clockwise from the top):

Hitting the road with Tim Horton's in hand
The goods from my first-ever Ikea experience 
View of the city skyline from our hotel room
Our super yummy breakfast spot
Dinner with friends at The Paramount in Beacon Hill
Getting silly with one of my littlest cousins

We had an awesome time visiting friends and family and - as always - can't wait to go back. Oh, and I found a few new things at Ikea, so check back soon to see what I've got planned for them!