Rye, Oh Rye

So we just came back from a week long vacation in Rye Beach, NH. Let me tell you, it was amazing! If you have never been there, put it on your list because it is a must see! The weather was perfect and you were about ten steps to the beach from our house. This was a HUGE plus since we had eight kids under the age of seven in the house. Yes, it was hectic at times but memories were made and fun times were had by all!

 

 

The kiddos playing together nicely

The kids playing shirades...I think Quinn was a dinosaur here...

 We got to celebrate my nieces seventh birthday while we were there and went to this bounce house indoor playground. All the kids had a blast!

Riley had a blast chilling on all the mats!

It was a Harry Potter themed birthday. Reagan put on her sorting hat and opened presents.

We had a bit of an advantage. My niece lives in Durham, which is about twenty minutes away and had all of these wonderful activities planned for us. We went to Portsmouth which Dan fell in love with and wants to move to. It is an old historical, colonial city with a lot to offer. First, we went to this little touch tank and the kids got to hold starfish and various types of crabs! We went to the Smuttynose brewery and had a delicious lunch and then walked around the city and did some shopping. It was so clean and beautiful.

Sydney holding a crab or starfish...I cannot tell.

Kayleigh holding a starfish! She thought it was so cool!

Petting the large starfish

Holding a crab right before it side way stepped back into the tank!

Kayleigh wanted to hold the big crab...the lady said she was known to pinch little fingers...

Now some pictures of beautiful Portsmouth:

Lucas and Riley napping through lunch

Dan got "the sampler" at the smuttynose brewery

If you asked which was his favorite, he said "all of them"

Sleeping while Grannie Pattie, mommy and daddy walked around Portsmouth and shopped

All the kiddos

beautiful garden!

delicate little flower

Always remember to stop and smell the flowers

Now another awesome part of this vacation was the price of lobster. It hit an all time low while we were in NH and we were able to get lobster for 3.99/lb. THAT IS AMAZING. Dan had three one night.

 

The kiddos all eating together...I never saw Kayleigh sit for so many meals. She wanted to be like her big cousin Reagan.

 We also went to Kayleighs first water park: Water Country! How exciting that was. She played in the kids area most of the time but also went on the water raft slide...I know, I can't believe it either, the wave pool and a whirl pool. Riley was well behaved in her stroller just watching and talking to random people who decided to strike up a conversation with her. She will most likely be a chatter box.

Overall I would have to say it was one of my favorite vacations and I cannot wait until next year!