Jul 23, 2011

NH trip

We're back from an almost week-long trip to Waterville Valley, NH, up in the White Mountains. Before we even left, however, Beau, the kids and I went to a wedding at Kimball Farms on our way up there on Sunday morning.  A co-worker of mine was getting married. The Kimball Farms that Beau and I have been to and taken some people to out near Concord is just an ice cream stand that doles out huge portions.  This Kimball Farms HQ's, out in Westford, MA, has ice cream, but also mini-golf, boat rides, a driving range, pony rides, etc. It was a great, informal, family-friendly wedding.

 The ceremony.


Back under the tent, opting out of the receiving line and waiting for lunch.

 Going on a pony ride.



Beau and Sylvie went on the bumper boats while Henri--who didn't meet the height requirement--and I looked on.  Soon, little guy!



Now, onto Waterville Valley.  Here's some scenery of the town and the surrounding mountains.

The end of our street.

We visited Clarks Trading Post on Tuesday, which was this nice little place.  Not quite an amusement park, but it was perfect for the kids.  They had a train ride, different museums/shops you could visit along the Main St, climbing walls, bumper boats, face painting, bear shows, acrobats.

Here we are, on the train.

Now, I don't really know how the legend of the "Wolfman" got started, but when you go on the train, there are all these warnings about the Wolfman.   Story is that he is this lone miner who is trying to run you off of his territory.  Once you go through this covered bridge, the train is then pursued by this crazy guy (who has a mic set up on him so you can hear him ranting and raving), complete with a pop gun and fireworks.

Catching sight of him!
Wolfman!

The kids didn't really know what to think of the whole thing at one point,  Iman curled up in the fetal position, hiding.  Wolfman definitely was a hot topic of conversation for the kids in the day after--and possibly months to come (?).

After the train ride and a bear show, the kids got a little face paint.

Sylvie loved strolling her cousins around.
 Climing up the "Old Man of the Mountain" climbing wall.
Me...
 Joc...
 Beau...
 Henri, hanging out in the "Wolfman Hotel."  I literally had to tear him away from it!

 Relaxing on the couch once we got home.
 Henri in baby Adam's seat.

On another day, while on a hike.






Finally, we went to Storyland up in Glen, NH.  It was a bit of a drive, but a beautiful one and well worth it.  It's like a more accessible mini-Disney World without all the lines and craziness.  Definitely on the list of things to do again.
 Iman, communing with an animatronic tree
 Henri, sitting on Miss Muffet's Tuffet.


 Pirate ship ride.


 On the Ferris wheel.

The tractor ride, which Henri and Sylvie since it meant they got to drive!
 Jocelyln, Iman, Bibi and Adam going for a ride.
 

The "Crazy Barn" ride, from which Henri, Adam and I opted out.


On our way back home from Storyland, on the scenic Kancamagus Highway.

Jul 16, 2011

The July happenings

Hi there-
Long time, no blog.  I've got a few things here to share, among them Sylvie's first dance class and our trip home to Chicago.  I'll start with the dance class first.
 
 All suited up and ready to go.

 
Henri, who I affectionately refer to at times as my little leech.

Just in case you can't pick her out, Sylvie is the super-tall one (with the ill-fitting tights).

 Gotta love the 3-year olds.  So cute.
 
Looking through the pictures I have from Chicago, I realize they are a bit spotty.  I didn't always have my camera on hand, so I have some things here and there.  Here we are on the 4th of July, enjoying some snow cones before swimming.  We didn't see any fireworks, but had a great time at the Crystal Lake CC out by my Mom's house and a delicious and festive BBQ dinner after some pool time.


Henri's first snow cone.  Yummy.
 
Post-swim, waiting for the BBQ to start.

 The next morning, on the driveway at my mom's house.

 Henri loved this airplane.


On another day, back at Jenny's house.


A huge hit with our kids was the super-cool race car that Patrick has.  Sylvie is still learning.  She's no Mario Andretti...yet.  Hilarious. Fortunately, no people or small animals were injured.  Just a slide.
 
 

And here, the master shows how it's done.

Lily and Patrick have two new hamsters, which were a huge hit with our kids, as Sylvie has been asking and asking for guinea pigs (as well as dogs and ponies).  I couldn't keep my kids away from them.  Here Sylvie is, saying her last goodbyes to her beloved little furry friends. 


As an aside, Sylvie last night was saying how much she missed and wanted to see Lily, Patrick and the guinea pigs (hamsters).  Alas, our visits are few and far between, but the cousins seemed to all have a great time together in our short visit there.