Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving this year, we went to Holly and Sean's house (family friends) in Salem, NH for a wonderful Thanksgiving feast.
Hannah loves turkey!!
Both Hannah and Emme were in heaven in Jackson and Caroline's playroom! A pogo stick!
Emme was so enthralled in the t.v. I couldn't get her to look my way for a picture...But they're adorable nonetheless.
Mikayla and Emme (still trying to watch the movie but finally looking)

Lots of Leaves!

As promised, Daddy raked all of the leaves into a big pile just in time for Hannah's return from school. She was so excited....it was quite a pile!
After a running start, she would jump right in.

All smiles.
Emme, almost always the opposite of Hannah in these areas, wanted nothing to do with the leaves. Daddy thought maybe she just needed a little (or a lot) of help getting in.



Nope.
She really doesn't like it! Lesson learned...
We tried to get her to see all the fun Hannah was having playing in the leaves.


Plugging her nose before going under the leaves?? Too funny.
Where'd she go? She literally crawled all the way under the leaf pile and came out the other side.
Finally, Mommy's more gentle ways got Emme in the leaf pile...of course, with Daddy's help and we actually got a smile out of her.
And then Hannah joined in on the fun. After the photo op, Emme was right out, but Hannah and I had lots of fun wrestling in the leaves...
Our fun was cut a little short as Hannah had to get to ballet, but the good news is that the pile is still there for more fun this afternoon!

Stowe, VT

For the Hunts last weekend in New England, we headed to Stowe, VT...one of our favorite places...even if it is out of season.

On the way, well out of the way, but in order to see more sights, we stopped in Portsmouth for lunch.

Hannah and Alyssa.



And after another stop in Kittery, ME for some shopping, hats/gloves for the Hunts, new skis and boots for Hannah, we arrived in Stowe just in time for dinner.

Waiting for our food!
On Saturday, we headed to Stannard, VT to a Maple Sugar Farm where Danielle has been buying her maple syrup for years. We got our own tour of the sugar woods, bottled syrup, made maple candy...

Touring the sugar woods. Sugaring season is only Feb-Apr so none of the trees are currently tapped, but it was very cool to see all of the piping and learn all about it. This particular family farm has 5,000 trees tapped each season.

The farm also raises cattle. The girls were trying to feed 2 of the cows who literally wanted nothing to do with all of us...even if we did have food!
We finally just threw the apples near us and the cows were more than willing to eat them and then retreat.
Bottling syrup. This was their sugar house where they make all of their syrup and candy.
Oops, she spilled a little syrup on her bottle that she had to lick clean (which of course we then had to keep the bottle!)
Even Emme got to bottle some syrup.

While the maple syrup was coming to the proper temperature, we took a walk to see a beautiful view of Vermont and a photo op.
We got to see some more cows out in the fields...
Making candy.
Sampling! mmmm....
Emme was literally about to fall asleep in my arms when the candy was made. I let her try a small piece and here is what happened...
In no time at all though, she fell asleep. Sugar highs are quick and fast. We made our way back to Stowe where the Mommies went shopping and the Daddies took all of the kids to the Ben and Jerry's Factory. And then home for some playing before dinner.
Puzzles. Proof that a child actually helped with this puzzle. While all of the adults finished it.
Pancakes for breakfast before packing up to leave.
Treehuggers.
On our way home, we stopped at Fenway to walk around the ball park.
Sadly, it was then time for the Hunts to fly home! We had such a great visit with them!! Lots of fun and terrific memories!

Duck Tour

On Tuesday, we headed into Boston on a gorgeous day to take a Duck Tour of Boston. Always a great way to see the city.

The littles while we are buying tickets.

On the duck ready to go.
Their side.
Our side.
The Fall colors are beautiful for this time of year. They waited to change for Rob and Danielle's trip.
Emme's $10 nap.
After the tour, we stopped at Five Napkin Burger for lunch. Hannah and Emme got the Kobe Hot Dog off of the regular menu to share...not sure if it's big enough?
When we got home, the kids (minus Emme who does not like playing in the leaves yet) played in the leaves.
Awww...the joys of Fall.

Children's Museum

On Monday, I took the two little ones to the Children's Museum in Boston.

Before going in, they were excited to check out the water! And of course, pose for a few pictures! So adorable!
We had lots of fun exploring all of the different rooms.
Ryan loved climbing the 3 story structure!



While Emme just hung out at the bottom waiting.
They had fun watching themselves on Arthur's tv. Because they were on a green screen and Ryan had green in his sweatshirt, it looks as if he is disappearing.
We ended our visit with a visit to the bubble room!!! Super fun!
Thumbs up for the Children's Museum and the cutest little kids!
Who had fun at the Children's Museum? We did!