Road Trip - Day 1 - Connecticut, through Massachusetts and on to Vermont!

This was a busy day. We got up, got packed, and then I left with Catherine and Madelyn to go to Meet the Teacher at the elementary school. While we met their teacher's, Trent got the car all loaded and ready. We were off as soon as we got home. We all piled into our Honda Odyssey.  It comfortable seats 8, but we were 9, so we double buckled the 4 kids in the back seat.  They were real troopers and got along super. 

Here is the back row!

the front row!

and the middle row (with the most important rider -- HARRY POTTER)

Our first stop was the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial in Vermont.













Next stop was Ben and Jerry's Ice cream factory and tour. 

Since we are primarily blue bell ice cream fans we were not all that familiar with their flavors.



But we learned a lot about them on the tour.



and at the end we got to try this flavor -- (read about it below -- seriously chocolate covered potato chips????)  I think we will stay Blue Bell fans!



They do have a flavor graveyard where they "bury" some of the flavors that didn't make it! (I suspect late night snack will be there soon)

But I loved the epitaphs on them.  I included my favorites. 







And finally settling in for the night.  We had 2 hotel rooms right next to each other.  Nana and Granpa in one room (and the plan was for 2 of the kids to stay with them) and Trent and I in the next room with the other 2 kids and Owen in the pack and play.  But the girls just couldn't be separated, so they all three slept in Nana and Grandpa's room!



Here is the map summary of day one!  We drove through Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont.

Lake Compounce

Lake Compounce is an amusement park in Bristol, CT -- (right next to ESPN for all you sports TV freaks). We spent the day riding the rides, enjoying the water park (where the water was freezing) and spending time with Nana and Grandpa!

They do have one very impressive roller coaster built into the side of the mountain and the location was as picturesque as they come!

If that was then, this is now!

Since I posted Nana and Grandpa holding Julianne as a baby yesterday, I figured I capture the same thing today!!! Here is Nana trying to lift Julianne!!!! Yep, she sure has grown in 11 years.



All the kids with Nana and Grandpa after church today!



Baby Owen getting some loves from Nana!




My two boys from their baths in the laundry room sink last night! I just think they are the cutest!!!!

11 years ago

We had traveled to Salt Lake and Nana and Grandpa held Julianne. Today they arrived here. Time sure has a way of marching forward!

A Portrait and some post processing

Today I had a photo session at my friend Lillian's house. Before the "official" session I snapped a few photos of her daughter Elise. Elise is just the cutest thing. So here is the photo I liked best of her processed 5 different ways. The first is SOOC.

Glitter Toes Again

Tonight I took the girls and some friends to all get their toe nails glittered. We had a great time.

Snakes, Swimming, Saying Hello

I am starting to think that one of my children must speak parseltongue as we seem to have more snake encounters than the average family. (read about one such snake encounter here or another snake encounter here) This cute little guy was right in my garage this morning when I went to load our stuff to go to the park. It is a ringneck snake and wikipedia assures me that it is only "slightly venomous" and not really a risk because its fangs are directionally challenged. (yeah -- that is not quite putting my mind at ease). One more little tidbit -- they are fast-- I managed to snap a photo and then grabbed a shovel to scoop it up and put it in the woods and it was long gone.



>
Then we headed to Kiwanis where we played in the sand and I hoped that I would not have to swim in the freezing water -- (all my time in TX this summer just reminded me how much I love warm water)



>




>
This is Adam playing with Eve! I love it!!! Adam and Eve!



>
In the end I did not have to swim, I got to follow around Owen and continually keep him from putting rocks, acorns, leaves, etc. . . in his mouth.  See him eyeing that rock???



>



All the girls in the frigid water!
>
My sweet, red headed, sand eating, soggy diaper, baby!



We all quickly showered and then went to the library where they were watching Beverly Hill Chihuahua 2 -- the kids have this thing for movies involving talking creatures.  Here is Owen trying to escape from the movie!!  He has learned to wave!