Vermont 2012

What can I say about our trip to Vermont this summer except that it was a ton of fun? 

We left for Vermont about a week after we returned from UT--we didn't even bother unpacking!!  It was kind of nice to smooth the transition from tons of family to regular life by adding a really great trip to see Paul's family at the heels of my mom's departure from PA.  We barely had time to think about being lonely and getting into the swing of things before we had our minivan packed and were on our way to see Mimi, Auntie Joey, and Koa! 

The boys had a lot of fun playing in Mimi's backyard...

 

And they especially enjoyed Star Lake which is literally right thru Mimi's backyard... 

We also spent a nice morning playing at the park at Koa's elementary school... 

 

Sam's birthday was only a couple of weeks after our trip, and he very subtly enticed Mimi into buying him this very awesome guitar from the Vermont Country Store a little early for his special day.  He spent the rest of the trip serenading us with his very creative songs and sweet strums on his new set of strings...

The Mountains and The Valleys

Okay--I think this should be my last Utah segment.  Like I said, there was a lot of fun to be had in the month of July!  This may be the end of the pictures I am posting from that amazing trip, but it is nowhere near the least.  We spent several fun afternoons up Maple Hollow Canyon grilling steaks and burgers as well as a few fun times spent at the farm watching grandpa or Jake working on the tractors and swathers.   I will start with the canyon pics...

Jack is trying to figure out wether or not Uncle Jake is a good guy...

  

Of course the swing is always a huge hit with the kids...  

The Farm... 

Grandpa took all of the boys on their own private hay-cutting rides.  This left them loving it and wanting for more!  Max and Sam came home from Utah saying that they wanted to be farmers when they grew up!!

 

Even Jack got a ride!!

Another staple of summertime at Gramma Jill's house is homemade root beer.  This year did not disappoint.  The boys loved it!!

While we were in UT I also got to meet Kelly, the amazing new wife of my brother, Judd.  I had heard a lot about how cute and awesome she was, but after getting to know her myself I can officially say I am super excited to count her as my family.  Congratulations Judd and Kelly!!