September Hike on Mt Ascutney

Kate, Scott, Doobie and I took advantage of a beautiful Sunday morning to bring the kids on a foliage hike up Mt Ascutney in VT. ! The leaves were showing us their magic colors and the trails were kind to our little adventurers. Teelin and Chet were carried and had a nice ride up. Teelin did take a few steps here and there along the way down, but spent most of his trip perched in the backpack Doobie carried.

Monet and Louisa loved the hike and really wanted to do it all themselves, rather then get help.

This is the view from the summit road which we used to get almost to the top. Then a short accent from these lots allows you to summit without taking a all day hike. Perfect with 3 and 4 year olds! And yes Monet does have her sweater on backwards!

We found a fairy house along the trail which we stopped at for a while. We helped with a little upkeep and added our own touches and fresh moss. Fairy houses are something Monet & Louisa both love to make on their own and it was magical for them to come across one on our walk!!

Getting to the summit for a snack and some chocolate milk!

Monet was tired when we were at the top and slowly the grumpiness crept into her and she was so irritated with the situation a family shot was only possible with a view of her back. Oh well.

The whole group and Monet again only willing to show her back. Wonder what she will be like when she is 14?!?!?

Happy Birthday Teelin

Teelin 's 2nd Birthday party was all about tractors and beautiful weather and fun with family and friends. Our neighbor and farmer, John, brought over a couple tractors for the party goers to climb on and test out. Daddy Doob was brave and gave rides on the Bobcat and him and Teelin moved the plastic slide around the lawn just because they could. We didn't take super photos unfortunately, but maybe I can snag some from other family members to post later.

Monet and her friend Catherine enjoying their cake and ice cream!

Uncle Peter was up for the party as well and Aunt Danielle and Aunt Susan! Here Pete is helping Teelin take his new train set out of the box.

The completed set!

CAKE!

Monet and her friend Sam trying out the BIG tractor!

Moving that heavy plastic slide.

Four year olds love birthday parties!

Aunt Susan and Nanna with the birthday boy.

Nanna and Monet taking a dip in the pool. And if you look close you will notice that Nanna does indeed have her clothes on. She forgot her bathing suit, however, that didn't stop her from taking advantage of the warm clean pool water and swimming the length of the pool with Monet about 10 times!

This is Teelin helping Pete and Doobie putting together his train table. He was in Heaven and getting lots of encouragement.

August

August brought more hot weather and gave us enough perfect summery days to soak in. Hopefully we can remember to revisit them in our heads during the dead of winter while shoveling snow off the steps.

We invited the Behner's, Nanna & Pop-Pop, and the Wiley's up for a BBQ/pool-party/sleepover. Pop-Pop was away on business, however he was missed! It was the first time baby Norah came to Cornish and we were so happy to have her and dug out the bassinette and a few other "baby" things that had been stored away. The reason I kept them in the first place! We made homemade jalapeno poppers, king salmon, local free-range chicken, had corn on the cob and caperese salad fresh from the backyard! A few of us also enjoyed a bottle of Cabernet that we received as a gift during our trip to Napa last spring.

Louisa, Monet, Norah, Chester, & Teelin

Shot taken after out post-supper walk to the river and gazeebo. Scott had just taken a dip in the CT river! Proof in the photo below.

I think they kind of have the same look on their faces?!?

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We found the best pine grove blueberry patch only minutes from our house in Cornish one evening and picked a few quarts. They were so good we went home and made blueberry pancakes for dinner!

The Montshire Musuem of Science in Norwich, VT is really a wonderul science musuem that we visit frequently, and I have posted pics from other pasts visits before. During the summer months they open a water discovery area outside and encourage children and adults alike to get wet as they explore the properties of water. Teelin and Monet were true scientists and dove right in.

Beach Holiday

We had our week at the Beach in July this year rather then in August and it was a nice break from household duties and chores to just play and enjoy family. The kids were in heaven to be around their cousins, aunts and uncles and of course Nanna and PopPop for a week straight. We had lovely weather and didn't miss Mrs. Mitchell's or the Sweet Shop too much, but hope they rebuild for next year!

These three were inseparable!

Mamma Leonie's was a memorable experience!

It was windy and the tent kept blowing down, so we filled it with sand and it not only stayed in one place it allowed for shaded sand play!

Breaking the rules at not quite two!

July Part I

Hot, Hot, Hot was July. We spent so much time in our pool this year, even though there aren't many photos to prove it! The days went slowly sometimes as the temps soared, but we made the best of the cooler mornings and ate veggies for dinner from our bountiful CSA and own garden.

Goofy girl!

We celebrated our friend Bob's birthday with him in July. Teelin LOVES Bob and helped him with his candles.

Monet's favorite garden activity - YUCKY MUCKY. This was the scene most afternoons as I watered our vegetables, the kids turned into mud monsters. Cleaning off in the sprinkler was the best part!

Uncle Pete came from Philadelphia for the 4th of July and we ventured to Northern Acres for some fun on the pond. Scott pulled everyone on the Big Bertha, including Louisa…this was her first ride and I love the way her and Monet are looking at each other!

Pete driving Shorty!

K & T