Vacation Time!
In July we headed to the east coast to try and escape some of the heat and to see some family. We had a terrific time, got to catch up with lots of family and found tons of things to keep us busy. It went by way too quickly, but here are some of the highlights.
Family Reunion 2011
We timed our visit perfectly and got to attend the family reunion for Shaun's great grandmother's side while we were there. This year the reunion was held at Uncle Jeff and Aunt Paula's farm. What a beautiful place! The kids had a great time roaming around and being outdoors. We had so much fun seeing family and getting to know some of our more distant relatives.
The farm
What a view!
Brayden loved being able to run around in the grass.
Larkin and Great Gramp having a little cuddle time.
Playing around with Uncle Gary.
Some more cuddling with Aunt Paula.
Listening to one of Uncle Jeff's stories!
Checking out the horses with Cousin Jeff and Liam.
Larkin posing by the horses.
Picture time with my babies!
Brayden was so excited when he saw Santa, he even shouted Santa, Santa, Santa. We didn't even know he knew who Santa was. Turns out he thought Santa was much more exciting from a distance!
Headed back from our visit with the horses.
Picture time with Laurie!
Picture time with Daddy!
Picture time on their own. Notice how happy they are!
Larkin and Liam relaxing in their rockers getting ready for breakfast.
Cousins posing for some pictures.
They are only a few weeks apart and were due on the same day!
Going for a ride with Daddy.
Enjoying some Daddy time!
An Afternoon in Stowe
After our weekend at the farm we stayed in the area and spent some time in Stowe. Stowe is great place for skiing in the winter, but they also have lots of fun things to do in the summer.
Our cousin Justin arrives!
Larkin was so excited that Justin came back for the weekend to spend some time with us.
We all had a great time together!
We decided to take a gondola ride up to the top of the mountain.
Family picture time.
Having fun with Aunt Mary.
All of us!
Just the fellas.
Seeing things from a different viewpoint.
After the gondola ride we headed over to the alpine slide. We took a ski lift up to the top and then got to race down the two tracks on sleds. It was a close one, but it looks like Uncle Mark just beat us.
On our way back to Uncle Mark and Aunt Mary's house we took the back way through what is called Smuggler's Notch. It is a very windy, at times only one way, road amongst trees and rocks. It is only open part of the year because of weather and it is very cool!
Santa's Village!
In New Hampshire they have a great amusement park for younger kids called Santa's Village. It is complete with reindeer, elves, and even the big man himself!
Larkin and Justin taking Aunt Mary for a ride.
Uncle Mark taking Mommy and Brayden for a ride!
Larkin's first roller coaster.
We weren't too sure what she would think of it, but we hit that first drop and she was screaming with excitement. She loved every minute of it!
Larkin was supposed to be up top with Uncle Mark trying to put out the fire, but instead she wanted to do the driving. Poor Uncle Mark had to stand up there all by himself!
Driving the fire truck.
Inside Santa's home!
Guess who we saw!!!!!!
Larkin and the fellas on the Peppermint Twist boat ride.
Guess what is inside????
Look, reindeer!!!!
Brayden taking a little stroll through the elf maze.
Ferris wheel time.
Here is one ride Aunt Mary didn't mind.
Brayden's first ride!
Larkin and Justin going for a little sleigh ride.
Time for the tea cups!
Looks like Larkin will be ready for Disney World in October.
They made it almost to the end!
One last ride on the Yule Log!
They survived!
Dinner time after a long day at Santa's Village.
A Trip to Canada
Since we were so close to the border we decided to take a day trip up to Montreal. What a great place. We walked around the historic district of Old Montreal and waterfront area, visited the Biodome, and even hit the farmer's market. It was a fun-filled day and we headed home with tons of goodies to make a delicious dinner!
Several pictures of the Notre-Dame Basilica
click here to learn more about the cathedral
The Historic District
The Biodome
The Biodome is a facility that allows visitors to walk through replicas of four ecosystems. The building was originally constructed for the 1976 Olympic Games as a velodrome. It hosted both track cycling and judo events. Renovations on the building began in 1989 and in 1992 the indoor nature exhibit was opened.
Bradyen and Uncle Mark looking for the monkeys.
Brayden LOVED seeing all of the fish!
He kept running up to them and shouting "fish, fish fish!!!!"
A beaver dam.
This was pretty cool because they had cameras inside so you could see the beavers busy at work.
Quite impressive!
The lynx
Larkin and Aunt Mary learning more about the birds in this ecosystem.
And our favorite... the penguins!
An Afternoon on Lake Champlain
The weather was absolutely beautiful during our visit so we decided to go for a little lunch cruise around Lake Champlain and learn a little bit more about the area.
Uncle Mark and Aunt Mary getting ready to set sail.
Brayden and Mommy getting ready for a little lunch.
Daddy and Brayden as we left the shore.
A Visit to the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory
No trip to Vermont would be complete if we did not hit the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. This time we thought it would be fun to make our own special teddy bear.
Larkin choosing what to stuff her bear with. She chose love.
Larkin loved the idea of making her own teddy bear, but not the sounds.
She let Daddy take over with stuffing her teddy bear and watched from a distance.
Larkin and Daddy completing the birth certificate for her new bear. Her name....Sally!
(Right now most of her stuffed animals are named Sally so this was not a big surprise).
Meet Sally!
Brayden enjoyed a little nap time at the teddy bear factory. But don't worry, Larkin had to make him a teddy bear too. She didn't want him to feel left out! She chose a cow bear for Bray and named him Moo-ee!
Fun Times in Milton
Getting a ride around the house.
Play time at the Milton Park. What a great playground!
The kids had a blast and the adults did too.
Trying out the monkey bars.
Going for a ride on the bumble bee.
Having fun on the ladybug ride!
Brayden loves the slides!
Going to a little spin with Daddy.
Larkin and Daddy on the twisty slide.
"Catch me Uncle Mark!"
A Trip to Canada
Since we were so close to the border we decided to take a day trip up to Montreal. What a great place. We walked around the historic district of Old Montreal and waterfront area, visited the Biodome, and even hit the farmer's market. It was a fun-filled day and we headed home with tons of goodies to make a delicious dinner!
Several pictures of the Notre-Dame Basilica
click here to learn more about the cathedral
The Historic District
The Biodome
The Biodome is a facility that allows visitors to walk through replicas of four ecosystems. The building was originally constructed for the 1976 Olympic Games as a velodrome. It hosted both track cycling and judo events. Renovations on the building began in 1989 and in 1992 the indoor nature exhibit was opened.
Bradyen and Uncle Mark looking for the monkeys.
He kept running up to them and shouting "fish, fish fish!!!!"
This was pretty cool because they had cameras inside so you could see the beavers busy at work.
Quite impressive!
An Afternoon on Lake Champlain
The weather was absolutely beautiful during our visit so we decided to go for a little lunch cruise around Lake Champlain and learn a little bit more about the area.
Larkin and Aunt Mary enjoying the afternoon.
No trip to Vermont would be complete if we did not hit the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. This time we thought it would be fun to make our own special teddy bear.
She let Daddy take over with stuffing her teddy bear and watched from a distance.
(Right now most of her stuffed animals are named Sally so this was not a big surprise).
Brayden enjoyed a little nap time at the teddy bear factory. But don't worry, Larkin had to make him a teddy bear too. She didn't want him to feel left out! She chose a cow bear for Bray and named him Moo-ee!
Fun Times in Milton
Drinks on the front porch.
Play time at the Milton Park. What a great playground!
The kids had a blast and the adults did too.
After a morning at the playground.
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