new hampshire

Gone Fishing with a Toddler and Preschooler

by Mindi Stavish on October 5, 2012

While on vacation a few weeks ago Grandpa took the boys fishing at a nearby pond in New Hampshire. Of course grandma, mommy, and daddy came too! Both the boys loved being with nature and learning how to fish.


It was fun to watch their different reactions to the entire process. Xander, the cautions soul, observed Grandpa put the worm on the hook and cast his line. When Grandpa caught a fish X stood back, refusing to touch it.

Noah, my little daredevil, probably would have grabbed the worm and put it in his mouth if I let him. He touched the fish that Grandpa caught and squealed with delight when he watched it swim away. Grandma practically had to hog tie him at times, as he wanted to jump into the chilly water.

Xander loved using his new Batman Fishing Rod (2-Feet 6-Inch). The rod, reel, and plug is made so kids can practice casting for hours. After daddy showed Xander how to cast he immediately went to work casting again and again. Serious cuteness going on!

Grandpa also brought his kayak fishing. Adrian and Noah went out for a ride but Xander was not at all interested- maybe next year! We purchased life jackets for the boys the morning of our fishing adventures. When shopping for life jackets for smaller children, be sure to get one with a neck cradle. We purchased the Stohlquist Infant/Toddler Life Jacket and it fit great.

Surprisingly I enjoyed myself as much as the boys did. I love introducing them to new activities and enjoying family time. The pond was gorgeous and the weather perfect. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end our vacation.

Linking up to Essence of Now, Life Rearranged, This or That Thursday, Favorite Photo FridaySweet Shot TuesdayFoto Friday, Fabulous Friday Challenge, Photo Friday, and Look Whooooo’s Snapping.

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Wordless Wednesday: Family Time

by Mindi Stavish on April 18, 2012

Since we are a military family, we have no family “close-by” that we can fall back in a time of need. Most of our family lives in New England, so it takes an entire day to travel there. My dad and step-mom (so excited that they are finally married!) make the long drive to visit us at least twice a year and we go up to visit family and friends once a year. Adrian’s mom comes to visit a few times during the year as well. The boys enjoy playing with their grandparents when they are here. The weekend they were all here for Noah’s birthday party was no different. I’m looking forward to the school aged years when the boys will be able to spend a week or two up in New England during the summer. I just know they will have a blast fishing with Grampy, cheesing it up for Grammy’s camera, and watching hockey and James Bond movies with Grandma. Until then we savor the short weekend trips we have with them. They go all too quickly and before we know it they are headed back to New England to work for a living. This time around we had some fun moments catching up and enjoying time together.

Adrian and Grandma enjoyed the last regular season home game of the season. Grandma was so excited to wear a hockey jersey for the first time ever! Xander loved chatting it up with Grampy about Transformers I watched my dad interact with them and my heart meltedGrammy helped Noah work on his next major milestone We enjoyed our first BBQ of the season cooked by the grill master himself. Seriously this man grills in the rain, sleet and snow like a true Mainah. Fire up the grill, give this man a beer and he is happy. Grandma, Adrian and Xander made some eggsWhen the weekend ended the boys said their good-byes. I wish I could explain to them why they don’t see their grandparents more often. It’s particularly hard the morning after everyone leaves and they are no longer in the guest bedroom. I can just imagine the sad look on Xander’s face when he bounds into the bedroom and finds it empty. No Grammy to jump on, no Grampy to tickle him. Someday he will understand that even though loved ones live far away they are never stop loving their Grandbabies.

Linking up for another great Wordless (ish) Wednesday with some fantastic blogs! Check them out.
parenting BY dummiesBetter in Bulkbabybabylemonand  then, she {snapped}

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Thankful Tuesday

November 22, 2011 Family

I have so much to be thankful for this year. Big and small. Adrian and I have been married for 8 years so I’m sticking with 8 items. Keeping it simple or this could turn into a loooong post. This mommy is thankful for….. 1. Being married to my best friend. He is my rock [...]

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Last day in New England

July 4, 2011 Family

Before heading back to New Hampshire on Sunday, we went out to lunch with Grammie and Grampy at the Bay Haven in Cornish. Xander was beyond tired so had a few melt downs while at the restaurant. He just wanted to look at the lobster tank’s- not sit down and definitely not eat lunch. We [...]

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Downtime in Stratham

July 10, 2009 Traveling

I thought I would round out the family vacation photos with some random shots of Xander that were taken at Grandpa Stavish’s house. We are so lucky to have a baby with such a happy disposition. He is an easy traveler as he managed a 12 hour car ride on the way home with no [...]

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