“How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains!” ~ John Muir
Family Time
Life has been a tad crazy the last couple weeks, and I needed a technology detox. While I couldn’t step completely away from all of you, ( I would miss you to much for that!) I decided to release myself from the pressure I constantly put on myself. It just so happened that my detox coincided with a trip to New Hampshire.
As many of you know my Dad had to have surgery in March, unfortunately he had to have a second one the end of April, which due to scheduling I couldn’t be there for it. As soon as my schedule freed up, I booked a ticket home so I could spend time with him, my Mom, and of course my nephews. Which is who I REALLY went home for, at least according to Carter.
Mother’s Day
I had a total brain freeze and ended up booking my flight on Mother’s Day. My Mom is usually the one who picks me up so this meant she was spending her day as a chauffeur. Thankfully, she is amazing and was more then happy to do so.
That night, we went out to our favorite restaurant in the valley, Vito Marcello’s Italian Bistro. They have the best pasta, salad dressing, desserts, and more importantly cocktails!
Their Espresso martini’s are the stuff that dreams are made of! They are so flipping delicious! Not only did I get to enjoy a great evening with the parentals, but the chef/owner, Vito, himself joined us. It was the perfect way to kick off my trip.
Monday
After a morning run, and a stop to get my maple latte fix, I (finally!) got my roots done. It was a major necessity. I was beginning to look like a human skunk with all my inches of root. My hairstylist is a godsend and quickly put me to rights. Thank you Andrea!
Ny nephews had requested I pick them up from school and of course I couldn’t say no to them. They were so excited to see me, though they played it cool and afterwards we went to the park, where I got solidify my cool auntie status.
Tuesday
I started the day with another run, and then met my brother and the littles for a Starbuck’s Date.
We had made plans to go for a hike, but the weather was looking ominous so we decided to do something smaller. My nephews couldn’t wait to impress me with their hiking skills. At five and three, they have already racked up hundreds of miles, and have reached the summit of mountains like Peaked, and Mount Stanton.
While Winniweta Falls is not that strenuous, I was impressed by the munchkins hiking skills. Not only that, but it was an adventure as we got caught in a downpour on our way back.
Wednesday
After another early AM run, I went to my home, away from home, away from home, Frontside, and got some much needed work done as well as feed my maple latte addiction.
That afternoon I picked my nephews up from pre-school and we then went on another Starbucks date.
These munchkins hurt my heart so much.
I am so proud of the little Starbuck’s junkies they are becoming!
Thursday
I couldn’t come home and NOT go to the beach. It truly is my happy place and as I drove to Maine, I immediately felt my stress dissipate the closer I got.
It wasn’t the nicest of beach days, but that didn’t dampen my sparkle, because I was at the ocean!
I headed back to New Hampshire in the afternoon. To end the perfect low-key day, I met my best friend at at Vito’s for some girl time, espresso martinis and many laughs.
Friday
Friday started as a chill day and ended with a bang. I went for a run in the morning and then did some work, before I picked my youngest nephew up from school. We then played outside at my parents house until my brother got out of work.
I then met him at the Vista for a sunset hike up Black Cap.
Black Cap is a quick hike, but the views at the top were so worth it. It was a reminder I really do come from such an incredibly beautiful place.
Saturday
Saturday was my last day in the mountains. It was also the day of the royal wedding (how stunning was Meghan?!?!) and my Mom had made scones to celebrate the occasion.
I also spent time with my family, saying a tearful good-bye to my little munchkins who asked why I had to leave.
Sunday
We stopped to grab one last maple latte before my mom and I drove to Portland where I flew back to the city.
It was a trip filled with immense highs, but also some low lows. Since I moved away from my hometown, I have found that many friendships ebb, flow, and either evolve or dissolve. It seemed like this visit, they dissolved, which hurt.
That is life, though. People come and go, and it is the ones who are a constant that truly matter. Those are the people we need to focus on. I am immensely grateful for my family, especially my little munchkins, who are always teaching and reminding me to never lose my inner child. I am also incredibly lucky for those friends who are that constant through thick and thin.
Part of living is deciding how we want to live, and how we approach each situation. Whether we focus on the bad or choose to honor the good. Going back home always reminds me of how much I have grown, but also how much I still have to learn. Life is a journey one that isn’t always smooth, but with the right people always bearable.
What have you all been up too?
Beauty! This post was such a happy one to read (although towards the end I’m sorry if you feel some friendships have drifted, thats always sad but like you said, choose to look at the positive and be grateful for the people who remain in your life through everything)! I’m totally in love with all the hiking pics! Nothing beats a hike right? I bet your nephews were SO happy to see you, your pics with them are so adorable & cute. You must miss them so much already but yay that you got to spend some quality time with them. Starbucks dates ftw!! I hope your Dad is okay lovely, I’m happy you got to go out for a sweet dinner with him and your mum! Family time is the happiest time. 🙂 xx
YOUR comments always make me so happy! And thanks sweets! I really appreciate your sweet words! I can be positive or negative about it (and aside from a couple bitch sessions LOL) I definitely want to be be positive and focus on the people that matter.
Thanks beauty! They might have been shorter hikes but they were gorgeous! Ahhh they break my heart and make me smile so much! Thanks sweets! I really do! Hehe yes! All the Starbucks dates! He is doing much better thanks for asking sweets! The second surgery went really well. It really is! I hope you are having a fabulous weekend sweets! <3
Beautiful family😍
Thank you so much! <3
Your nephews are so cute!! Glad you had a good time with your family! Friends come and go, it’s sad but you find some new amazing people, I’m sure xx
Awe thanks beauty! They melt my heart! And thanks for your words of encouragement! I appreciate! You are so right! I will and have! Thanks for being one of those amazing people! <3
Thank YOU for being one of them xx 💕
That espresso martini looks freaking great!! & I love your new hair, it’s so bright & lively now!
That’s crazy how much your nephews have hiked! Wow they are awesome, I couldn’t do it haha.
I love the photos of the waterfalls & of you on the beach. You really do look so happy there!
I’ve never tried a maple latte, I don’t think but you’ve just made me crave one somehow haha they look so yummy!
I’m sorry it seemed like your friendships were dissolved this time around. ♡
It is SO yummy! Awe thank you so much sweets! I am me again! Yay! lol.
They are such great little experts! They blow me away! Thanks sweets! it really is my happy place! <3
Girl you NEED too! They are heaven! Hehe so yummy!
Thanks beauty! I think that is part of the disadvantages of moving away. But it also opens the door for new friendships. I hope you are having an amazing week! <3
Do you have Starbucks everyday? 😛 Black Cap looks beautiful and I love the picture of your toes in the sand and water <3
Hehe proud #starbucksjunkie :p Haha it is my nephews and my thing so when I visit I take them ALMOST every day! :p <3
It was so gorgeous! Thanks beauty! It wasn't that cold either! <3
That’s cute you have a thing you like to do with your nephews x
Awww what a lovely time with your family!! I felt so sad for you at the end of this post though. Hope you’re okay xx
Thanks beauty! It was! Awe thanks hun. I am. It is always reflective going back, but I am fine 🙂 Thanks for asking! <3
It’s okay awww I’m glad you are okay xx
you got some really gorgeous shots, those waterfalls are gorgeous. I love espresso martinis!!
Tank you beauty! It was SO beautiful! Oh my gosh they are my jam! So yummy! If you ever go up to North Conway you have to go to Vito’s. They are the best espresso martinis I have ever had! <3
What a beautiful trip and gorgeous photos! Your nephews are adorable! I’m not an auntie, but my dad remarried and so I now have two little sisters now 8 and 10. Whenever I see them, it’s like I’ve visited purely for them and not see my dad or step-mum. Kids hey! Your hair looks super pretty and I love the photo where it’s curled! xx
Much thanks sweets! They melt my heart! Kids are so sweet! That is so cool! I am the youngest in my family, so i love having nieces and nephews. I always wanted a younger sibling! Thank you! I love when I get my roots done! I feel like me agin! Lol. I hope yo are having an amazing day! <3
For starters you and your mom are stunning!!!! Absolutely gorg. Shout out to Andrea for doing a rocking job on the hair- thankful for good hair dressers! I’m so happy you were able to step foot on the beach even with inclement weather, something about the sound of the waves crashing and the scent of the salty water and sand really is SO peaceful. Perfect cure for a head full of thoughts! My heart is so full seeing the photos of you and your nephews and their love for starbs<3 <3 Also I'm not always a martini drinker but woahhh that espresso martini, oh my lanta I need a glass of that!!! Hopefully a lot of that stress has dissipated since then! Love yaaa girly!!!!
xo, JJ
Awe thank you so much sweet lady! I hope I look half as good as my Mom does when I am her age! Hehe thank you! She is the absolute best! I have been seeing her since I was eight! Right? They are a god send!
You summed it up perfectly sweets about the ocean. It really does bring clarity. I love it so much no matter the temps! Awe thanks love. They melt my heart. I absolutely adore them and am SO proud of them and their starbucks addiction! I hope you are having an amazing day beauty! <3
Aaw I love your posts when you visit home. All your amazing hiking photos💕 I hope your dads okay and on the mend❤ Girl your roots look so good. You have a great hairdresser! Also always love your mermaid photos at the beach x
Awe thank you sweets! it is always good to be home with family! Ahhh I love hiking (though I don’t like the bugs) He is thankfully! Thanks for asking sweets! Hehe thanks! She is amazing! Awe thanks my fellow mermaid! It is always good to be back in my happy place! <3
I loooove your travel posts (even if it’s travelin’ back home or exploring your own town!). So glad you got some great family time! That Italian bistro sounds super yummy. How fun that owner joined you too!
Girllll my roots are seriously to mars. Haha, I can’t wait to get them touched up tomorrow too. Your blonde is actual perfection. Your nephews! Gosh they are little cuties. You can tell they just adore being with their Aunt Katie. Those scones are making my mouth water. They look like absolute incredible.
Sending big hugs for the friend situation <3 It’s so hard sometimes. It’s sooo hard to let go of friendships especially with being as loyal as you are. You have your head in the right place though- It is about those who are constant that we need to invest in.
Ok these pictures are next level. Just reading this post made me feel at ease. Going home always makes me super reflective too. XO
Awe thanks sweets! It is funny, now that I don’t live there anymore, I love exploring my home town and I have greater appreciation for all the touristy things 🙂 It is S good and he is a sweetheart!
Awe thank you sweets! Yay for getting “new” hair it legit feels the best!
Awe thank you sweets! I love them to pieces! They were SO yummy!
Thanks sweets that means the world to me! It really is, but those who matter will be there always. SO blessed to have such a beautiful soul like you in my life! <3
Awe thanks sweets! Nothing like going home:) Thanks for your beautiful comment and sweet words! They made my day! <3