Our Week in Vermont

The 2nd week of our vacation, we spent in Middlebury, VT. I had originally planned to drive myself and the kids from Rochester and back, but my parents, and in-laws didn't feel too comfortable with me driving alone with two young children. Imagine... 36 years old and, well, I do understand now that I'm a parent. I'd do exactly what my parents and in-laws did for me, for my kids. Grandma and Grandpa M. drove us to Amsterdam, the halfway point and then Grandpa Q. picked us up for the rest of the trip, and then vice versa on the way back. It was a huge sacrifice on their parts to do this for us but it was also, more time spent in their company and it made the long drive much more enjoyable.

The cows at Monument Dairy Farm

Watching the cows getting milked

Our first full day with Grandmama and Grandpa Q. was a very nice one. Unfortunately Grandmama had to work but we made the best of it with Grandpa. Grandpa took us to the Monument Dairy Farm where we got to see the cows getting milked. We also wanted to see the milk bottling process, but they weren't doing that at the time we were there, so Grandpa made arrangements for a bottling tour on another day, which Owen got to see with Grandmama as well. Grandpa also took us to the Morgan Horse Farm, which left me feeling nostalgic for my riding days. Afterwards we met up with Grandmama at her school and got to meet a few of her very wonderful friends and fellow teachers. We finally met Donna who, along with Mary Ann, another wonderful friend that we met a few days later, have always shown open hearts towards my children. Owen had a good time exploring the different classrooms, interacting with some of the teachers and even leaving with some craft goodies, compliments of Donna. When that was done, the kids had some additional fun with the grandparents at the school's playground.

The horses at the Morgan Horse Farm

Grandpa and his Boston Red Sox fan

Grandpa, Owen & Ana at the Morgan Horse Farm

Grandmama and Ana after a nice dinner at American Flatbread
Aunt Liza & Owen goofing off

Hanging out with Aunt Liza, her boyfriend, Ben, Aunt Sara and Uncle John was additional icing on the cake... or shall I say cupcake? Owen enjoyed riding around with Grandpa and Uncle John on the tractor. Owen and Ana's Great Grandparents came for a visit and we enjoyed seeing them. Mosquitoes were unwanted guests and all of us pretty much got eaten alive, but the weather was gorgeous.

Ana & her Aunt Sara
Grandpa Q, Ana & Great Grandpa Q

Grandpa getting a workout and Ana having all the fun

Aunt Liza getting drunk on cupcakes
I think that's Ben's 3rd cupcake!

Slip & slide fun at Grandmama's school
The carpenter & his apprentice
An exhausted Ana making good use of the swing
Owen, Uncle John & John Deere

We visited the Echo Museum in Burlington. It is a very hands-on learning experience with different demonstrations such as a weather station, where Owen and I got to do the forecast on TV, various frog and fish habitats, some where we could put our hands in the water and touch starfish and anemones, and we learned a little about Lake Champlain and the valley, way back when Beluga whales used to swim there. After that, we were hungry so we ate a very nice lunch at a lakeside restaurant with spectacular views. Then we walked around downtown Burlington and checked out a few shops.
The fish at the Echo Museum
Owen & Aunt Sara looking through the microscope

We had nice quiet days too. Owen was entertained with homemade play dough, crafts, games, reading and plenty of love and attention. Ana too. We had a wonderful visit and can't wait for the next one! That'll be in March when Sara and John have their wedding! We can't wait!
Making play dough with Grandmama


Storytime with Grandpa
Making butterflies
Thank you to Grandmama, Grandpa, Aunt Liza & Ben, Aunt Sara & Uncle John... for all your love, attention, gifts and company! You took time off from work, rearranged your schedules to accomodate us, introduced us to your friends & co-workers, fed us, housed us, drove us, shopped with us, and... loved us. We love you back!