Road Trip .. Sort Of

This weekend, we took a trip to Portland Maine.  Mike was given an iPod Touch 4g for Christmas (I know, I'm the best wife) and was having some issues with using it - since I bought it from a friend, it didn't come with a users guide, and the downloadable one from the Apple website is well over 200 pages long - printed - so I had opted *not* to print that, to conserve my sanity - and paper.  In any case, there are 2 Apple stores in our area, one of which is in Salem (we're heading that way next time) and the other in Portland.  Since we were invited to two separate hockey games (neither of which we made) in the Portland area, we decided to head that way.

However, on the way, we had to stop in at a little place in Waterboro.  You may have seen it on the Discovery Channel (or you know, my facebook photo albums) (last year it was just called "Howe & Howe Technologies" this year, it's "Black Ops Brothers" ...) if not, you really should check it out.

I was lucky enough to get myself a shirt (just like the ones they wear on TV!) and a water bottle for my kick boxing classes that has their logo on it :) .. I know, Issues .. I'll own it.  They have an actual "Mini Rip" in the store (that they JUST opened) - Emily wouldn't stand next to it so I could take her picture, brat.  But she was incredibly upset that "the boys from her TV" weren't there to meet her.  Don't they know how important she is?  :) my diva.

No matter what our destination, I always ask if H&H is on the way, or if we're going to be anywhere near it .. He always makes sure it is :)

After we finally made it to the Maine Mall, and visited the Apple Store, (where Mike was told exactly what I had told him) we continued to wander around and enjoy the day.   Emily got to make her very own stuffed animal at "Build a Bear Workshop" where she got to help stuff her, sew her up, and inserted a beautiful little satin heart in her insides.  Emily even gave her her very first bath

She named her Agnes, and has been carrying her around ever since.

When it was time to leave the store, Emily carried Agnes around proudly, and showed everyone how "refponable" she is.  *sigh* she's growing up so fast!!   She was enthralled with the fact that there were little kiddie rides that actually worked in the mall.

Complete with yelling  at the kids "behind her" to quiet down and play kindly with one another.

Even more fantastic - was the carousel INDOORS!  She couldn't get over it, and begged - all day - to please please please ride the horses.  Eventually, we gave in.

Every time they went around, and came back to me, she was making a silly face.

This one was my favorite :)

After that it was time for lunch, we ate at "On The Border" and while it was good, it wasn't what we were looking for - don't be fooled we certainly did not allow that to hamper our appetites. We ate quite a bit of food, and even brought some home with us.

We had been invited to two separate hockey games, as I mentioned, and decided since we knew what time the USM game started, we'd try for that one - and ended up getting to the wrong campus, and missing the game entirely.  Instead, we drove a little around Portland - and by a little I mean, three side streets and then headed back towards home.  

I have heard great things about Trader Joe's and was beyond excited that we had the chance to actually go to one - the newest one, just built in Portland.  Unfortunately, there was literally no parking, a line of cars out into the road - and Mike's temper was running high, and his patience short.  Instead, we skipped across to the next parking lot over, and experienced a Whole Foods - which I think was the highlight of Mike's day.  See, we watch Top Chef, religiously, and for each challenge, they go to a Whole Foods Market - for him to set foot in a store he's seen on TV so many times, especially a food store?  Was as close to heaven as he could have been for that moment.

he wouldn't pose for me :) the brat.

We left the store empty handed (it was mobbed in there as well) and started our journey home just in time for the snow to start.  It wasn't much, but it made for a beautiful (if slow) drive home.  Mike decided to take a ride through Old Orchard Beach, which is deserted - you know, it being winter and all? - and promise Emily to take her back this summer, so she could ride all the rides that were closed down and snow covered.  Apparently, we're going to be spending quite a bit of time in our state to the North-ish, and I don't mind one bit.

My most favorite Church, in the entire State of Maine .. Mike wouldn't get any closer for me to take pictures (this time) because traffic was starting to pick up

Emily is convinced there are Pirates on this "boat" .. :) innocence.

The next day was an incredibly busy one - Mike had to work, and I had to take Emily to a birthday party.  Our first of the year, and certainly - not our last.  We got the little boy his gift, and headed to the party.  She had a great time with all her friends from daycare/school, and even got to meet some new ones.  On the way home, to say she was tired would be an understatement.  We headed to the grocery store, picked up a few things, and a couple of movies (The A-Team for daddy, and Nanny McPhee Returns for Emily {really, Me too!}) to help pass the time.  Upon leaving the grocery store, after buckling herself in to her big girl seat - she promptly fell asleep.

A few miles from home, I came upon a field that never fails to take my breath away ... For some reason, that day, I stopped.

Magnificent isn't it?

We had a great day, weekend really - and even if the Patriots lost?  We spent most of the weekend together, and enjoyed each others company.  Plus, I totally got to walk into a place where Geoff and Mike Howe have been - What?!  I know, Giddy, is an understatement.