Giggleheads

It has been a very giggly day as our nieces, Hope and Adi, came to visit and spend the night. We went to the Promenade tonight for some window shopping and dinner at Red Robin. Poor Joshua is the odd man out but the girls baby and love him anyway.

It's been a while...

It's been quite a while since I've updated the blog....sorry! Autumn and Joshua are enjoying the summer as are we. Here are our two little blondies smiling for the camera. They get along like this most of the time...until one steals the other's toy, or throws something, or colors on someone else's book, or messes up a meticulously arranged dollhouse, or eats the other's snack, etc.

Joshua's tractor is an endless source of entertainment. If Daddy is in the garage or yard, Joshua is out too, taking some teddy bears or dolls for rides in the trailer.

Our cautious adventure girl has been practicing riding her two-wheel bike down the slope in the front lawn to avoid falling and scraping her precious knees. She's actually been doing pretty well. (And yes, ever-vigilant parents that we are...those are flip-flops she's wearing and her dress is untied and dangling very closely to her back wheels).

Mr. Mischievous

Lauren's cousins, Dana, Devon and their 10 week old bundle, Kathryn, visited over the weekend. It was great to see them and fun to have a tiny person in the house again.

So Sweet!

Autumn was thrilled to have some snuggle time with Kathryn in her bed.

Reminds me of when Joshua was just about the same age and she tucked him in with all of her animal friends and then sat in her glider to read him to sleep. (He's the one in blue).

Big boy undies

Why are they so stinkin' cute in their first pair of undies?!?

Camp 2009

Well, we got back last week from our vacation in Vermont. We were lucky to spend 10 days at camp this year and it was wonderful and relaxing. The first 5 days were with Dad and Carolyn and families and the second 5 days was just the four of us. We celebrated the 75th anniversary of the cottage on July 4th with the Landis and Mitiguy families all together. It was great to see everyone!

Our days were relaxed and unplanned, just like we like them to be. We took lots of walks to the general store, took motorboat and kayak rides, enjoyed the state park across the lake for swimming and the playground, fished off the dock, made s'mores in the fire at night, snuggled up on the bed on the porch to listen to the brook and watch the lake, ate LOTS of ice cream, and had lots of peaceful runs. Autumn and Joshua played with some kids from the cottage next door, as 4 generations of families have done before.





We took a couple of local day trips and enjoyed the Quechee gorge as we do every year, and ventured to Waterbury to see Ben and Jerry's ice cream being made fresh and enjoyed an apple cider factory - with yummy cider pops for the kids.


On the fourth of July, Chris did a sprint triathlon held a Killington. It was a small event but he did great and took first place overall. Notice the jeans and jackets - it was cold and rainy on top of that mountain!

We celebrated Brooke's 2nd birthday on July 6th. Her Mommy made her a crown and tutu to wear for the day. By the end of opening her presents she had added a few more accessories to the ensemble.

And this is what we came for. There is nothing in the world like sitting on the porch and watching this unfold before you. God is so good.

Lehigh Valley Zoo

I took the kids to the Lehigh Valley Zoo over the weekend with my best friends, Ang and Val, and their kiddos too. We were a big crew but everyone had a good time. It's a small little zoo - perfect for their ages as you can get up close to all of the animals.

The kids all got a kick out of feeding nectar to the Lorakeets.

Even Joshua got a turn - that's his hand on the left and Autumn's on the right.

Have playground - will play. Isn't he a big boy?

We happened to be there for the big unveiling of the zoo's new penguin exhibit. This is shortly after the ribbon was cut and they waddled out of their little cave for their grand entrance. Cute!

Mud Bud

We don't like the rain we've been having but Joshua thinks it's great. Especially when he can stomp around in all of our unplanted (read:very muddy)flowerbeds.

Sesame Place

On Sunday we took the kids to Sesame place. It was a beautiful day.

These are climbing ropes that go higher and higher. Autumn surprised us by climbing straight up a 40 foot section which was suspended about 30 feet off the ground. There were grown men and teenagers who were not liking it but she was fearless.

Joshua even walked through a tunnel.


Autumn and Abby Caddaby (a new Sesame Street character since when we were kids. Luckily, all the old ones are still around too)

Elmo got a big High 5 from Joshua.

This climbing teepee was a hit. The kids scaled to the top like Spiderman...

...and slid the whole way down.

Joshua coming down a big slide by himself.


It was a great day. Needless to say, both kids crashed in the car on the way home, tired but happy.