Summer Vacation 2013 - Day Five

Day Five was a glorious one, starting with a more-strenuous-than-anticipated hike at Echo Lake (the summer storms washed away part of our trail and left tens of mini ravines for us to hike over). K thought it was a great workout. J thought it was a crazy workout...that could be because he ended up carrying M the whole time. To her credit, she was a great cheerleader - every time we came upon one of the mini ravines, she would say "Last one, Daddy" (even if there were 10 more ahead of us!).

In the afternoon, we headed to one of our favorite towns, Woodstock, for the farmers' market on the town green, some quality playground time and, of course, an ice cream cone (which M got for free for being "so cute").

K & M checking out the farmers' market scene:




M hamming it up for the camera on the town green:






M at the playground - she's quite the climber these days!




All in all, a wonderful day.

Summer Vacation 2013 - Day Four

Day Four was a relaxed one...K & Tuscany went for a run around the lake and then we all went into Ludlow to run errands and hang out at the playground and ball fields.

M loved the see saw...

...but really was enamored with the other "playground" (a skate park with local teens doing tricks)

After some laps around the soccer field (playing chase and tickles), we stopped for Maple Cremees and met the new puppy at the Green Mountain Sugar House (Kasey, a 5-month-old yellow Lab)


Gotta love VT!

Summer Vacation 2013 - Day Three

Monday was spent driving to West Hartford, CT to see Uncle R and Aunt T's new house (gorgeous!).

M got to play in the yard with Uncle R's niece and nephew.

No pics, but a fun day.

Summer Vacation 2013 - Day Two...the Beach!

Lake Echo - the after-effects of Hurricane Irene (2011) are all but gone and the lakes are back to their crystal clear beauty.

We made it a beach day and spent most of the day swimming, playing, splashing and playing at the playground. (All good things to wear M out!)





In the afternoon, we headed to Weston for a stop at the Vermont Country Store (amazing toy selection - M was in heaven - and a huge assortment of dips and cheese samples - J was in heaven):


After we had a family picnic in the gazebo on the town green (K was in heaven):

Summer Vacation 2013 - Sun...Lake...Blog Updates!

What better time to catch up on the Delp Family blog than Summer Vacation 2013?!?

A lot has happened since M's birthday party in July. We got a wonderful Volvo and were loving being a two-car family again. Yeah, that lasted all of 4 days! Ugh. Car shopping = fall activity.

M also had her last day at Summit Children's School - her first preschool. She'll miss the teachers and kids there (and Shadow, the school cat), but she's already talking about "new school" and we're hoping she loves it next week.

So, on to vacation...here is a Day 1 Roundup:

Saturday, Aug. 24 - The Bondville Fair

The Bondville Fair is the oldest, continuous (annual) fair in the state of VT and was celebrating more than 200 years of festivities this year. While some of the activities seemed to date back to that first fair (a judged "vegetable art" contest, anyone?), there were new games and attractions that wowed M.


While they did not win, M loved playing the water gun game with Daddy.


Jasmine the 16-year-old llama was also a favorite - apparently she does not like people and M and J were the only ones she let feed her that day.


The highlight of the fair was undoubtedly M's 60-second ride on Boo-Boo the pony. She loved it, but K did lose all feeling in her hand due to the death grip!


The end to any perfect VT day - a roaring campfire, complete with marshmallows. Ahhhhh....

THREE!!!

Yes, it's here...the big 3. M is growing by leaps and bounds right in front of our eyes.

To celebrate this momentous birthday, there was a big Mickey Mouse shindig (which many of you attended - thank you!) as well as some oh-so-special birthday gifts from Mom & Dad:

-- a 6' tall ruler to track her growth (a big hit at the party for kids and adults alike)
-- purple headphones (she asked for them and apparently likes to enjoy her iPad in privacy)
-- her very own manual vacuum (think restaurant style - this was a specific request from M who now LOVES vacuuming and likes to point out to K all the dog hair around our house...delightful!)

We can't believe how fast the time is flying by or how lucky we are to be the parents of this amazing little 3-year-old. Here's to many more joyous birthdays!



With birthday love,
K, J, M, T & T

You know it's going to be an interesting morning...

...when this arrives during breakfast!

Charmed: the Next Generation

So, yesterday during our afternoon walk, M decided to wave at each car driving by. She got a ton of beeps, smiles and waves back. A police cruiser also pulled over to say hello. Who gets out?? The Commissioner of Police. He shakes her hand and gives her an official police patch!

Today, we baked cookies and took them to our new neighbors. Not only did they love the cookies and M, but they gave her a doll house they were getting rid of!

Life lesson: being friendly and nice to your neighbors really does matter!

Nothing says Happy Mother's Day...

...like a big, steaming pile of...mulch!

Spending the day honoring our gardening tradition. More pics to come.

Riding Bikes

Someone likes getting chauffeured on a bike...and loves the boats!

Seeing the Savannah Sights...

...and a visit with cousin Sam.

What a way to spend a Friday!

Greetings from HIlton Head Island!

First flight...first class

So, you know who is even luckier than K? It's M!!!

First time on a plane and we are all upgraded to first class. Fun stuff. :-)

Always be prepared...

M spent 30 mins of our flight reviewing the emergency procedures pamphlet. She thinks the slide looks fun!

Fashionista

Bought M two pairs of flip flops for summer - one orange, one purple.

She insists on wearing them as a mixed pair: "more pretty!" M

ROAR!

It was pizza picnic and face painting day.

How surprised we were that M came home as a tiger instead of a princess or butterfly = not at all. :-)

ROAR!

Too cool for school...

Someone is getting very big (and LOVES school!).

Hoppy Easter 2013!

This year, M loved the eggs and gleefully giggled her way through 4 Easter egg hunts! (We think she would've done 4 more!)

Reese's peanut butter cups are a new favorite (that's our girl!)

Easter hugs & love,
K, J, M, T & T

Girls Weekend in VT

Ok, so this was actually TWO weekends ago, but better late than never, right?

Plus, wait til you see this cuteness...

There was some down time (check out M's mesmerized stare upon seeing The Little Mermaid for the first time!), some farm time and lots of love & fun. Thank you Auntie J, M and G!

Hoppy Easter Everybunny!