Vermont Ski Trip

We packed up the Town & Country (maybe for the last time) for our New England Skiing Adventure of 2013.  We did a bunch of research to try and decide where to go that would be the best experience for teaching the kids and we came up with Smugglers Notch in northern Vermont.

The drive was approx. 4 hours from Boston and absolutely beautiful!

The kids are pretty used to traveling at this point and I thought it was so precious that Carter had his hand on Taylor for the napping portion of the trip.

 Here was our destination!  Smuggler's Notch sits at the base of three mountains.  The above picture is Mt. Madonna.  You can see the skiing paths quite clearly that come down the mountain.

 We were on the second floor of this condo.  It was set up perfectly for cold skiers to return to after a fun day on the slopes.  The kids especially enjoyed our bathroom.

 The kids did a great job for their first time!  Both Hailey and Taylor had it down after the first day.  Carter did great with balance and was mostly concerned with going fast but didn't have a clue how to stop or turn.  He fell A LOT and expected us to get him up over and over.

 This is Carter and Taylor on the "bunny hill" going up on the "magic carpet"

 I have fallen and now help me get up.

 Sometimes I just would join Carter in the snow because I was tired too and it looked good to lie down there with him.

 Carter's first time on the lift with daddy

 All five of us on the top of the mountain

 The kids took 2 hour ski lessons both days while we were there and became known as the Minnesota kids. Their lessons allowed Mike and I to conquer Mt. Madonna and we survived.  It was quite the ride up there; the higher we climbed the more worried we were whether we would be able to make it down.

Waiting for their ski instructors.

Taylor loved it and is already asking when we can ski again.  Her parents just need to wait till our muscles stop aching.

Our trip concluded with our transmission going of our van in central Vermont on the way home.

Gloucester, MA January 13, 2013

 With the unseasonably warm weather in January in New England we decided that it was only right to take full advantage and go out on another adventure.  This time we researched and decided to head to Gloucester, MA, which is just a short 50 minute drive north of Boston.

Gloucester MA is America's oldest fisherman port with a massive harbor.

Nearby, we found a great hiking trail to explore with the kids.

 Along the trail we discovered several man-made rock walls and rock cellars that have to be hundreds of years old.  The kids pretended they were in the war using the walls as barricades with weapons.

 There is a large memorial site right on the harbor that honors those lost at sea .

Taylor Ann

MEET ISABEL

 Meet Isabel Jane!  Taylor accumulated some $$ from her birthday and also got an American Girl Doll gift card from Grandma Miedema for Christmas.  She decided to purchase a "look like me" doll and named it Isabel Jane.  She is pretty excited.  She says that Isabel is 2 years old and her best friend is Hailey's doll Gwen.

 As I write this blog entry, it has been a 60 degree day in Massachusetts   Earlier last week we enjoyed the snow by sledding and building a snow man.  The snow man is no more as of today.

With the rest of Taylor's birthday money she purchased doll seats that attach to any table or bar and she also was nice enough to purchase one for Gwen.

Happy 7th Birthday Taylor!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAYLOR ANN!

Taylor Ann is 7!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 Taylor's birthday always sneaks up after Christmas, but to be honest, her party always ends up to be one BIG party because everyone is off for the holidays and ready for FUN!

This year we invited lots of friends and family to a Bloomington hotel with a big pool for everyone to gather and swim.  We spent the night there with family and friends.  Taylor couldn't have been happier.  Friends are very important to Taylor and she was so excited to be with all of them at once.

The adults got to chat and watch the big Vikings/Packers game in the lounge.

 Taylor and her Calvin sweeties.

 Kylie and Taylor

Here are all the kiddos gathered right before the money dive.  (I wish that bright light wouldn't have been there).  I threw $40 worth of change in the pool and Taylor managed to get $10 of it!  That is our Taylor!

 Taylor and cousin Maddie

 The party room at the hotel as packed with more than 24 kids!

 Auntie Pam gave Taylor the cuties jammies!

Carter, Taylor, and Kensie

Newton Ave. Christmas..............

 Back in Bloomington we celebrated with our good neighbors on Newton Ave.  As always, Hailey and Olivia put on a show; this year it was to "Let it Snow" with the finale being miniature marshmallows flying everywhere.

 Josh's rink was better than ever this year

We made a trip for lunch back to "Wally's" for Carter's most favorite blue plate special

Our time on Newton Ave was a little bitter sweet as we looked longingly over at our home.  The kids had so much fun with their friends that they didn't seem to think it was weird that we were staying next door.  We played games, did some ice skating and of course.......ping pong.

The Miedema family Christmas..............

 The Miedema family Christmas party was out at Uncle Loren's farm.  Why "Uncle" Loren?  Because just 2 hours before we arrived out at his house he proposed to Julie!!!!  Yeah... a wedding to come in the Miedema family!  We are so excited and the kids were attacking them with tons of wedding questions....poor Loren was bombarded.

 All of the Miedema cousins minus Brit.

 Grandma Miedema and Julie showing off her new bling

 Loren and Julie

  Who would think that Big Bird would would show up at a Christmas party!!!!!!!!!

 The Zeinstras' sporting their Boston gear.

 The big favorite was the blanket poncho

Grandma Miedema and the kids had a tea party.  They talked very proper and their server was "Jeeves" also known as Carter.