Because of the oil spill in the Gulf, our annual beach trip took a twist this year. Lucky for us, we ended up on another coast a bit farther north. Thanks to our incredibly generous friends Amie and Rob who let us stay at their summer house, we spent a week on Cape Cod away from the suffocating heat, humidity, and mosquitos. We had an amazing time. While we did a TON ("Cape Cod on speed," as Amie put it), we also had time to relax and do things like visit the children's museum, paint some pottery, go cosmic bowling, and hang out at the beach. We're so thankful for these memories. (I'll warn you that there are a million and one photos, and it's just a fraction of what I took. Get your scrolling finger ready.)
Of course we had to buy the cheesy picture they sell to all the tourists.
On our first day there we took a scenic lunch train through the Cape. Such a cool experience for the boys ...
Of course we had to buy the cheesy picture they sell to all the tourists.The next day we drove up to Provincetown. It's a colorful artists' haven lined with tons of eclectic shops and restaurants. The boys loved walking on the pier and checking out all the fishing boats.
Loved P-Town! (or pee-pee town, as the boys called it)
Loved P-Town! (or pee-pee town, as the boys called it)The next day we took the ferry over to Martha's Vineyard and it was one our favorite days of the trip. It seemed that everywhere you looked was a scene from a postcard - just spectacular. The boys, of course, thought the ferry ride itself was pretty cool.
Ben on the Flying Horses Carousel - the oldest operating carousel in the U.S.
Jess and I fell in love with Edgartown. We'd love to go back without kiddos someday.
Chillin' on the Vineyard.
Ferry back to the Cape.
It was a BIG treat when, upon arriving back in Hyannis, the captain opened up the doors to the cabin and let Ben and Noah sit up front in the captains' seats!
Later in the week we took the ferry to Nantucket. The island was incredibly charming. I kept telling Jess that it felt like we were on a movie set because everything was so picturesque. We strolled around downtown, but spent the majority of the day lounging on the beach. The weather was perfect.
Lunch on Jetties Beach.
More shells!
Quintessential Nantucket.
Ben on the Flying Horses Carousel - the oldest operating carousel in the U.S.
Jess and I fell in love with Edgartown. We'd love to go back without kiddos someday.
Chillin' on the Vineyard.
Ferry back to the Cape.
It was a BIG treat when, upon arriving back in Hyannis, the captain opened up the doors to the cabin and let Ben and Noah sit up front in the captains' seats! 
Later in the week we took the ferry to Nantucket. The island was incredibly charming. I kept telling Jess that it felt like we were on a movie set because everything was so picturesque. We strolled around downtown, but spent the majority of the day lounging on the beach. The weather was perfect.
Lunch on Jetties Beach.
More shells!
Quintessential Nantucket.The following were taken in Hyannis on the first day of our trip. The weather was cooler then, but the boys loved exploring the harbor anyway.
In front of the JFK Memorial.
On our last day, we toured Hyannis and the marina aboard the Cape Cod Duckmobile. Ben and Noah still talk about the silly lady who made us say, "Quack! Quack! Quack!"
We spent the rest of the day at the beach, and of course, we had to have ice cream on our last night (as we had done practically every other night). Four Seas came highly recommended. It was really close to the house and the oldest ice cream shop on the Cape - SO yummy!
How every summer night should end!
In front of the JFK Memorial.
On our last day, we toured Hyannis and the marina aboard the Cape Cod Duckmobile. Ben and Noah still talk about the silly lady who made us say, "Quack! Quack! Quack!" 
We spent the rest of the day at the beach, and of course, we had to have ice cream on our last night (as we had done practically every other night). Four Seas came highly recommended. It was really close to the house and the oldest ice cream shop on the Cape - SO yummy!
How every summer night should end!
