Vacation: Part 2

We left off with camping in Vermont. While in Vermont I think we saw more of it than we have of Massachusetts. We took a morning to head to Sharon where we visited the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial. Here are a few highlights.

Please keep in mind that we've been camping. This first picture cracks me up every time I look at it.
A Missionary from the Visitors Center took us on a guided tour around the property surrounding the monument on this baby (a highlight for the kids).
Really Dad?

After our three nights of camping we went home the long way so that John could visit a pewter shop, wasn't quite as exciting as expected but we saw some beautiful countryside along the way.

There are 107 covered bridges throughout VT.
After lunch at McDonald's John said "look at Aiden". This is what I saw when I turned around, only he was sitting there very nonchalantly.

Abby wanted to be funny too.
So that pretty much wraps up our vacation adventures, besides the usual whenever we feel like beach trips or playing in our beautiful 3 acre yard:)

Amid Teething and Potty Training (are you ready for the longest post ever?)

I actually have somewhat of a valid excuse this time for taking so long to update (besides being mother of three of course). We were struck by a nasty virus, of the computer variety that is. We took it to a man just up the road, I really wish I had a photo of this computer doctor. He was totally your stereotypical computer nerd complete with the big thick glasses and comb over. He was successful at removing the virus as well as 129 other infections fairly quickly and it didn't even cost us Aiden. Anyhow, I'm sure nobody cares about our computer issues:) So back to the task at hand.

John finally finished his second semester of his second year and man was it a bad one. I pretty much felt like a single mother for the last six weeks of it. BU was kind enough to give us a whole two weeks holidays before beginning third year. We didn't want to waste it away sitting around doing nothing, so we set a schedule and (almost) stuck to it.

We kicked things off with Abby finally giving in to potty training. It is a work in progress (I'll spare you the details) but she's doing awesome with very few accidents. Now to the fun stuff. After two years here, we finally spent a day up in Boston, playing at Boston Common. We had a great time at America's oldest public garden.

Next we were off to Newport RI, we figured it was time to see a little more of New England. Newport is an adorable town full of historical mansions. We toured the largest of these mansions, The Breakers. It was the summer "cottage" of a Vanderbilt. We were concerned about the kids being bored, so we talked it up big time, telling them it was so big it was pretty much a castle. Abby asked if we would see a princess and when we told her we probably wouldn't she decided she would be the princess of this castle. The kids ended up loving it. The audio tour through this incredible mansion was well worth the high admission fee.

Photos were not allowed to be taken inside, but here's a few of the exterior.
We found this little guy while hanging out under a tree.
It was named "The Breakers" because of the view of the ocean breaking on the cliffs.

Why do my kids refuse to pose for a picture?

A couple days later we headed up to Vermont for a camping trip. Aiden and Abby have always loved and done so well camping. As Ben is definitely my toughest and most high maintenance baby I was a little concerned as to how he would do. It was pretty rough the first night due to some unfortunate gas or something, but after that he did great. Again we chose a campground on a private lake so that we wouldn't have to buy a fishing license and because we went midweek the tenting area was pretty well deserted. The weather was absolutely perfect with no rain until the last night when we were surrounded by crazy thunder storms. Our borrowed tent kept us cozy and dry though. We had a great time and it was here that Ben cut his very first tooth, with the second to follow just a few days later.

The fish were small but easy to catch.
There was also swimming, boating and a water slide.
It was too hot in the tent for Ben to nap, so this was the solution.
Can't leave Ellie out (we were dog sitting)
John and Abby picked some wild flowers, Abby nosed (that's what she says instead of smell) them.
I think I probably should have done a slide show instead but oh well. I'm actually not done, but I think this may already be a little much, so I think I'll do a part 2. Coming soon:Vacation Part 2, birthday, anniversary and more summer fun.