Family week in VT

What a wonderful time we've been having, soaking up the summer weather, and the presence of so many dear people in our family. All 11 of us (Mimi and Papa Jack, John, Caitlin, Sam (7), Jeff (4 1/2), Nora (20 months), Matt, me, Lucy (6), and Clara (3 1/2)) headed up to VT for a week- our first time together in 2 years.

Roughhousing with Papa Jack.

There was a lot of the kids "rescuing" each other from his grasp.

With my niece Nora, who is the cutest little peanut ever!

Clara is quite attentive to Nora and protective of her. Tonight at dinner she was helping to feed Nora bites of food.

A walk behind our house in VT.

A national park pond nearby where we went swimming almost every day.

The kids had so much fun in the water and sand.

Nora was quite serious about her task.

The girls out number the boys now!

Little to Big.

There were many salamanders to be caught and held and given puddle homes, before being returned to the lake.

A highlight was visiting a local farm, where we got to see cows, pigs, chickens, goats, horses, and a donkey. Lucy and Papa Jack both got to feed a 10 day old piglet.

We also enjoyed homemade ice cream, cheese and milk.

The kids all fed the chickens from their hands.

This was the view behind the house- so gorgeous and green and peaceful. I spent a few moments out there from time to time, enjoying the beauty and the quiet.

Jeff proudly showing his salamander.

An even more remote lake that we drove to one day. It was the kind of place where you expected to see moose (though we didn't).

Clara getting a ride on John- who is an amazingly sweet and fun uncle!

Sam, as I caught him mid-bite.

Selfie of Lucy and I.

Lucy and Nora, getting ready to watch the 4th of July parade.

It was an awesome local parade; the floats/cars threw out tons of candy, and we also got squirted a bit with water guns. The kids had a blast and thought it was better than halloween.

Mimi and Papa Jack with their 5 grandkids.

And an amazingly good group picture of us all!

Summer - it's on.

Some recent pictures from the new and improved playground 5 minutes from us, and the beach! Can't wait to have you here with us, Mimi and Papa Jack and Caitlin, John, Sam, Jeff and Nora!

C: We did lots of things there. And that Papa went on it with us. And love, all of our family. That's the end.

L: This is me on the see-saw at the playground, and I'm on top of it. And Papa and Clara are on the sides and I get to stand on top and it's really fun.

L: This is me at the playground.

C: I am at the playground. It was like a bicycle.

Lucy and Clara on the big swing together.

Upside down monkey!

Right-side up monkey

Lucy in the sky with diamonds.

Swinging Clara.

Clara and her Monday play buddy, on a gorgeous day last week.

Clara trying to wash her feet off.

Clara was quite adventurous in the water by the end (and it was cold!). She even laid down on her back in the shallow water.

Celebrating Matt's birthday yesterday, with a delicious ice cream cake!

Spring with Grandma Judy!

We were so happy to have Grandma Judy come visit last month. Sadly we all got sick with bad head colds in the middle of the visit, but we had a great beginning and ending. At least the weather was gorgeous. Come back again soon, Grandma Judy! We'll try to not get you sick next time! ;)

Crepes with raspberries and whipped cream, to celebrate Mother's Day

A wonderful mother's day dinner, with so many generations!

Dessert- a delicious coconut lime cake.

Enjoying the DeCordova museum- these are pipes which you hit with sticks to make music.

So much fun!

Outside of the stone garden.

There are little waterfalls in each stone arch- such a calming, beautiful place.

Mother and son.

One of my favorite sculptures there.

Up on the roof!

Making rabbit ears in the cafe. :)

There are gorgeous views from the cafe too.

This is another of my favorite sculptures. And my favorite husband and 2 daughters.

Celebrating one last meal together before Grandma Judy had to leave.

We had went out to a local sushi/japanese place, to celebrate Matt's birthday early.

An outdoor lunch.

Grandma Judy and Clara showing off their painted nails.

Happy Birthday, Caitlin!

Dear Auntie Caitlin,
It is your birthday today. And we're gonna celebrate it. That's all that I want to say.

love,
Clara

Sunny Easter

So, Easter was technically last month, but here we are, catching up on past fun! The celebration at my Grandma's was somewhat muted by Lucy's stomach virus resurfacing, but thankfully she recovered enough to happily join in the hunt, in between "my little pony" episodes on my computer.

Easter dresses and bonnets.

Hold onto your hat, it's going to be a fun day!

Racing to find the eggs.

Aha!

Trusty bunny bag.

I knit the girls each a bunny for Easter- this one is Clara's.