Hey, hey Thursday!
Friends, one week from today, the kids go back to school.
(Insert me crying right here!)
(Insert teachers crying harder RIGHT HERE!)
I looooooove summer at home with my kids and even though it will be super nice to get back to some sort of a normal work routine, I always grieve the end of this season and the start of school. Sigh. We’re going to really enjoy these next few days and then…off they go.
I’m going to hang on to our summer a bit longer at least here in blog world because I have our vacation to keep recapping! Today, it’s PART 2 of our time in Nantucket with the fam. Let’s recap: We left and headed to Boston, drove to Chatham (on Cape Cod) for two nights, then took the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard for three nights and then took another ferry to Nantucket (where we’ll stay the last 9 nights).
If you missed my first four recap posts, you can see them here:
Cape Cod Vacation: Chatham
Cape Cod Vacation: Martha’s Vineyard Part 1
Cape Cod Vacation: Martha’s Vineyard Part 2
Cape Cod Vacation: Martha’s Vineyard Part 3
Nantucket: Part 1 The Ferry
Let’s do it…
It was another beautiful morning at The Nantucket! My very favorite place to run in the mornings is in Nantucket. The weather is just too beautiful for words…and the scenery is pretty good too 😉 . We had to turn in our rental car in Martha’s Vineyard (per the rental car agency), but did get another car in Nantucket for the remainder of the trip. I do not think you need a car in ACK, but I do think you need one in MV!
A little chess and checkers before we headed out for the day.
We had brunch reservations at one of our favorite spots Or, The Whale, so we got ready and enjoyed a nice leisurely stroll though town to get there.
This girl is the sweetest.
A lobster burger for lunch? Yes, please!
I will not do Nantucket justice with my pictures. During the summertime, everything is in bloom, everything is so green…even the air smells good here 😉 .
After a day of enjoying town, we decided to head back to our hotel for an afternoon swim…
Awwww! I love him!
Cleaned up and ready for dinner with my peeps!
The Tap Room for dinner…
…and The Juice Bar for dessert. Green Monster is my favorite flavor!
The next morning, we were up and dressed for our day at the beach! First stop though…
…breakfast at…
…Black Eyed Susan’s! This is one of the most well-known spots on the island.
…Ashby and I shared the Portuguese scramble.
After breakfast, we headed back to the hotel, packed up our beach gear and then drove to Something Natural to grab sandwiches to take to the beach. This is another iconic spot here on the island! You can grab a sandwich to go or…
…enjoy it in their “yard”.
After that…
…it was a glorious day on the beach!
Looking at the seals.
In our happy place.
After a very full day at the beach, we cleaned up for dinner. This dress is HERE.
Look at sweet Ashby up there holding her daddy’s hand. They sure have a special relationship.
Dinner at The Lobster Trap wrapped up our night.
It was great day in ACK 🙂 .
I hope YOU have a great day today! I’ll see you back here tomorrow, friends!!! xx
Erika Slaughter says
You’re so right-your pictures aren’t doing it justice! 🤣🤣🤣 But they’re close. Ha! It’s crazy to me how close those seals get!
Elsprth says
Nantucket is on my bucket list!! It looks dreamy!!! Can’t wait for another recap!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Rayne says
I was in Nantucket when y’all were-I saw your posts on Instagram. I was hoping I would bump into you, but didn’t 😁 I was on a girls trip and we stayed on India St. right down from Black Eyed Susan’s. It was my first visit, and definitely won’t be my last. It was so charming and beautiful! Oh and the food ❤️ I loved Cru for cocktails, Toppers by boat, and Proprietors Table. I also loved Bartlett Farm for snack items and picnic goodies. Really you can’t go wrong on Nantucket! Thanks for posting your recaps, I have been reliving.
Shelly says
Beautiful vaca pictures! I’ve never been but would love to go! Non vaca notices… Smith has gotten so tall and is like mini Andrew, Andrew is native so jelly of his tan, Mades & Andrew are neck and neck in the tannest body contest. I didn’t realize Mades was a lefty! I love a lefty! Kins is so tall and beautiful and looks so much like you and your mom! Can’t leave me out Ashby… she’s just a complete rock star! Love your little fam bam!
Carly says
I just want to be in Nantucket right now!! 😫
Josie says
Logistics question- how do you pack for 2 weeks? Do you do laundry while there? I can’t imagine how much you’d have to pack for 6 people for 2 weeks! Thanks
Mix and Match Mama says
We do laundry!
Laci Murray says
Nantucket looks like a fabulous place to visit!
Heather says
Did you run into Elin Hilderbrand while you were there? I saw she was there the same time as you!
Mix and Match Mama says
I did not! I would have loved that though!
Bailey Hill says
Shay! It was SO nice to meet you and Erika on Nantucket last week. I got so when I saw y’all that I couldn’t even think straight to tell you both how much of an inspiration you are to me. I found your blog when I was researching adopting from China years ago, right before you were traveling to get Ashby, and I have been a daily reader since then. I just love your little family, your positive outlook, your heart for Jesus and adoption, and of course all of the Nantucket content. I have been dreaming of going to Nantucket since reading your first post about it. It literally made my whole year to meet you there last week. I was there on a girl’s trip with my mom, aunt, and my 88 year old grandmother, and they all kept asking me who Shay is when I would mention restaurants, shops, etc. that we needed to go to because “Shay said it’s the best.” haha.
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh Bailey, it was so nice meeting YOU!!!! I’m so thankful for your love and support all of these years! Enjoy the rest of your summer!!!
Lora says
I was in Nantucket the same time you were, I was hoping to run in to you at some point! Ha you kept posting the same spots we were at like an hour after we had left. Woke up bright and early, left the kids with my fiance to sleep, and walked around to enjoy the quiet. It was a dream. Ran into Black Eyed Susans and had the Portuguese scramble but CASH ONLY. So grateful for a sweet local who paid for my breakfast. Good gravy I can’t wait to go back! If you haven’t tried it the sorbet at Jack + Charlie’s is so yum too.
Sheaffer Sims says
I mean, EVERTHING is adorable.
Deborah Hellums says
I love the pictures and your wonderful stories. What a beautiful family you have. If you ever go to byb which is in town close to the ferry boat tell my daughter hello. She s a beauty and has an amazing personality. The food is amazing the kids will love it.
Mix and Match Mama says
We went on this trip!! How fun is that!!!!
Amber says
Love these posts! What a great trip!
Michelle says
I’m so curious which beaches you went to! I’d love to know which beaches are best for little kids, big kids, sunsets, etc!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Jetties and Surfside are probably the more popular ones but we love Madeket and Sconset the most!
Kristen says
I’ve lived in Massachusetts my whole life, just outside of the Cape for over 10 years and have never been to Nantucket! I’ve got to start planning a trip NOW! Looks like so much fun!!
Alyssa Hammond says
We went to Nantucket for Fourth of July and I can see why you love it so much! I couldn’t get over the houses and hydrangeas and laid back atmosphere. We ended up getting the Something Natural sandwiches and saved half for dinner too. When we went to the Juice Bar, I couldn’t help but think how much it must cost to get a whole family ice cream! I live in NYC and Juice Bar still seemed expensive ha!
Kat says
How do.you handle dinner out with younger kids? My 6 year old is usually so tired by 5pm on vacation days. He’s not tired enough for bed but tired in that if we tried to get cleaned up and go out in public his ability to listen and be civilized would be out the window. He does fine if we’re home at the hotel
Mix and Match Mama says
Madeley is six too, but I really think those younger kids with older siblings are the most adaptable. She’s still our life of the party later at night.
Lizzie says
where would you say is the best place to get a lobster roll in Nantucket??!
Mix and Match Mama says
Well, that’s like asking me to pick my favorite child! Agh! Um, okay…I’m going to go with The Lobster Trap!
Lizzie says
Bahaha! thank you!
Robert Bates says
How come no masks? As of this past Thursday they are required everywhere indoors. Please let your readers know this
Mix and Match Mama says
I wasn’t there when they were required. We left on Tuesday. We did wear them anytime they were required though…they just, for the most part, were not the entire time we were there.
Martha Marino says
Thank you for the posts and photos! Nantucket is our most favorite vacation destination!
Concerned citizen says
Is it true there is a huge outbreak with covid in Nantucket?
Mix and Match Mama says
You should absolutely get your news information from a news source and not me. I’ve been following along with the mandates and changes ACK has made since we left last Tuesday, but always get the info from the source.
Kelly says
Your trip has inspired me!!! Planning a trip to Nantucket for next September. When would you start to book hotel/restaurant reservations? Thanks, Shay! 😉
Mix and Match Mama says
I would book hotel in January or February and as many different restaurants as early as you can. Many of them have timelines (seven days out, one month out, etc), so I would look online next summer and see when you should start booking them.
Joanne says
It looks wonderful! So glad you had so many sunny days; it’s been such a rainy, cool summer here in New England that you really seem to have lucked out.