Where do I even begin? 2. Vermont trip

We had a great trip to Vermont last weekend! None of had been there and it was beautiful. Our story begins with a very well behaved little traveler who carried her own rolling backback through the entire DC airport. It was so cute! I wish I'd had the video with me. Kate is so much better on the plane in her own seat. While I'm not looking forward to having to pay for her tickets, it will be nice to have a guaranteed seat for her. On the trip home, there were 4 people total on our flight. After flying into Burlington, VT, we drove to Northfield, where Norwich University is located. Loren teaches an online class for Norwich and this was their "residency week" where everyone comes to the campus.

Seriously, are we there yet?

Look at that handsome driver!

We stayed at a bed and breakfast called the Northfield Inn which was really a treat! Aglaia, the innkeeper was so kind and Loren the smooth talker really got a great deal--a $179/night room for $63/night! Nice! However, her dog bit Kate on the face the first day. Luckily it barely broke the skin. Maybe it will help Kate to learn not to pull on animals!

They had a great swing on a big old tree where we spent a lot of our time!!


While Loren was attending to his duties, Kate and I toured the countryside of Vermont. We went to the Ben and Jerry's Factory, to the Cabot Creamery where they make cheese and to the Bragg Farm Maple Sugar House.

"Yummy, Mommy. I like it!"

Who can resist a puddle?

We had a bit of trouble getting back and ended up spending the night in NJ. However, we called Loren's cousins Brent and Sara and were able to go stay with them. They gutted an old home and did an amazing renovation. It was just beautiful. We'll have to go back and spend more time there. Overall, it was a great trip! Happy Birthday Loren!

Where to even begin? 1. Kate

Sorry, I'm a slacker. I love my summer schedule and I'm really enjoying it! I've done a bunch of new sewing projects (and still have a bunch on my to do list) that I need to post, tons of gardening and cooking. I think I'm going to do separate posts to get all caught up, though. This first will be on my favorite subject: Kate!

Still to come: Vermont trip, Projects, Garden, Chinese dumpling lessons

She is talking so much! It is really a lot of fun. She can tell us what is wrong, tell us what she needs and has whole conversations with us! I can ask her what happened during her day and she can remember and relate it back to me. For example, she had a bruise on her head the other day and I asked her how she got it. She told me she fell out of bed during her nap that day. Talking is pretty useful huh?!?

Kate picked up occasionally calling me "Meggan" instead of "Mommy" from her cousins. Ok fine. But what is really funny is that she thinks Loren's name is "Ryan". What?

This is Kate showing what you do with wet diapers "Squeeeeeeeee it" I've got to get a video. It is so funny!

Terrible twos: T-3 months until Kate's 2nd birthday, but we are starting a bit of ornery-ness. The other day she didn't want to take an afternoon nap and was pretty wound up. When I came back to her room to tell her to go to sleep, she was jumping on the bed saying "naughty, naughty". So I know she knows she is being disobedient. I guess at least she knows...we just have to work on that self control...

Kate counting

Loose Teeth Vintage Inspired Sundress with Petticoat GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

I found this adorable dress while searching for a sundress pattern: Loose Teeth Vintage Inspired Sundress with Petticoat So cute! Maybe Kate and I need some matching clothes....;) don't think I'm kidding....

Catching up

We had such a fantastic visit with all of the cousins-it was quite busy with us all staying in 1 house! But it was wonderful. I've finally stolen a moment to post a bunch of the photos from the past 3 weeks...hope you enjoy them!!

The cousins all piled into one chair

Ryder what are you teaching Kate?!?! Guitar Hero.

Put those kids to work!!

Nana reading to the gang

Colby's main activity

Pigtails!!

Ready for action

Popsicles:) Look at these skinny little ones...think they are related?

An indoor picnic

Kate on the slide, but what she really loves is the swing!

Pretty hair!

New crayons introduced to us by Lisa- thanks for the tip! These twistable crayons don't break into millions of pieces and they don't lose their wrappers. Kate is really into coloring right now, so this was a great find.

My project! Lisa taught me how to knit:) I've been wanting to make this re-usable cover for my swiffer for a while. I had planned to teach myself how to knit, but I had to keep pulling it all out, so all I ended up with was a ball of unwound yarn. Lisa finally helped me get the hang of it and I finished my project! It only took me a month (yikes!)...

Here is Kate's new tower. Now she can stand at the sink and play and not fall off the chair!

Phew! What a busy month! Our house is so quiet now...I'm a little lonely. Anyone want to come visit???

Visitors!

We've been super busy the past few weeks with our visitors! Grand Nana was here last week and Aunt Lisa, Braden, Ryder, Colby and Nana are here for another week. This picture was taken last weekend while we were on a picnic at Duke Gardens.

We've had a blast just watching the cousins hang out together. They all love to play outside, but it has been SO hot. We set up the sprinkler for them to cool off a bit.

Hi Kate!

Say CHEEEEEEEEEEEEESE!
Either catchin' some rays or protesting bedtime by lying behind the car...

Happy Easter!

We had a nice Easter weekend. We worked in the church nursery with 17 one year olds! And the big news: Kate let me do her hair!! and it lasted all day long! I am thrilled:)

Kate is talking using "I" now- "I running!" "I swimming!" "I get it!" "I do it" They are the sweetest little phrases I've ever heard. The phrase she uses most is "shoe back on"