Mattapoisett: Thanks for the Memories, No Thanks for the Humidity

Jay and Lucas at the Ned 's Point Lighthouse.

From July 16th-27th, the Lucas Tour made its final stop in the tiny southeastern Massachusetts seacoast town (and Jay's hometown), Mattapoisett. We were greeted at the airport by Jay's dad and brother Greg after another successful plane ride for Lucas. For the most part, the transition to yet another place went without a hitch despite our exhaustion from the flight delay in Minneapolis and a 1 am touchdown in Providence.

The following day, Aunt Sue and "Great Nana" became the first two family members to see Lucas for the first time. Aunt Sally just missed him that night and began to think he didn't exist (it wasn't until a few days later when she finally laid eyes on him). Once settled, our time in Mattapoisett flew by amidst a giant blur of family, friends, and mosquitoes.

Among the highlights:

• Grandpa Dean playing his banjo for Lucas during daily "Toddle Tunes" classes
• Lunch for Grandma and Grandpa's 41st anniversary at the Waterfront Grille
• Watching Lucas eating solid foods in his Bumbo seat
• Watching Lucas sitting up in his stroller
• Jay, Greg and Dad quahogging and collecting rocks
• Jay and Mom venturing to Falmouth to see "I am Love"
• Karen getting treated to a haircut and blowdry by Aunt Sue at cousin Beth's new salon
• Our dinner with Cousin Mike, Bethany, and Emily
• Mexican Fajita Night on Harbor Road with Beth and Walter
• Our visit with Jay's old friend Heidi on Oliver Street
• The night with Jay's friends over at the Cambra's house
• Our time with Kristin and Zoey B in Newport, RI
• The Dean Family Clambake
• All the times spent with "Great" Nana
• Nick's Homemade Pizza

Our Mattapoisett journey in pictures:




(from left to right, top to bottom): aunt sally reading to lucas and "cousin" emily, lucas with grandpa dean at "toddle tunes," lucas with his great nana, grandma dean feeding lucas, grandma and grandpa dean with jay and lucas, jay and lucas with uncle greg, great nana with emily and lucas, mre toddle tunes, bird's eye view of "morning tme" with grandma and grandpa dean, the dean family (look! karen has bangs!), jay lucas and great nana, uncle greg and lucas, lucas in stroller, lucas with "mohawk."

Thanks, Mattapoisett. We hope to return and create some more memories in December.

Thank you Minnesota!

Thank you family and friends for a wonderful 3 weeks. Here are some final shots of our vacation.

Auntie CarolA final farwell to Grandma and Grandpa Rolig

Mikayla, Alex, Lucas, and Ryan
The Gabrielli Family
Hillary and Lucas
Auntie Kristy and Uncle Brian
Great Grandpa PeteThe cousins minus Ingrid:(
Great Grandpa, Auntie Jan, Grandma and Mommy
Auntie Jessica

The Lucas Tour 2010 Makes a Stop at Lake Miltona

On June 30th, the Lucas "tour bus" made its way from Inver Grove Heights two-plus hours northwest to the Rolig Family Cabin in Miltona, MN. Finally, for the first time, Grandpa Jack and Grandma Bonnie had the entire Rolig Clan, 13 of us in total, in the newly renovated cabin by the lake. For 6 days, we had non-stop action and fun. Some of the highlights:

• Lucas ate rice cereal for the first time (and liked it!)
• Lucas and Ingrid went on their first boat ride and Lucas even drove for a while.
• The "middle generation" got away from the kids for a night of "Booty Shakin," Big Buck Hunting, the most inept game of pool ever, and seeing the Jersey Shore cast look-a-likes
• The 2nd Annual Rolig 4th of July Parade led by master of ceremonies Jack Rolig belting prideful America songs in full red white and blue regalia
• We enjoyed the boat parade, air show, s'mores and fireworks display
• Max, Annika, Emerson, Lucas and Ingrid (the Rolig cousins) spent tons of quality time together.

Now we're back in the quiet of Inver Grove, decompressing from our amazing cabin adventure. It's hard to believe , but we only have a week left in MN before heading East (we hope the heat dies down before then). Where does the time go? Well, back to the fun...