Our Fall New England Adventure part 3

 The last part of our trip was a stay at Liberty Hill Farm in Rochester, Vermont. As we researched the trip, we had wanted to stay at a working farm, so we (mostly Michael) googled various options and chose what seemed like a good fit. It was.

The farmhouse was built in 1824, and the current owners started inviting guests (originally Vermont skiers) into their home in the 80s as a way to bring in more income during a low in the dairy industry. They've continued that tradition for over thirty years.

Liberty Hill Farm is part of the Cabot Creamery co-op, a farmer-owned company based in Vermont. It was really fascinating to learn about how they test their milk for protein and fat, how they test the cows and bulls to make the best matches, and what is involved in the whole process. So interesting. A whole different way of life.

Our host, Beth, is in the back, and she was very kind. Each morning and night she made us a delicious and huge meal. Normally, outside of COVID, they eat with the guests, but sadly they weren't able to. We didn't have any other guests in the farmhouse with us, so we enjoyed it all to ourselves.

The rooms were so cute--this room was where the three kids slept (except for the first night when the boys were too hyper and had to be separated). Benjy slept in another room in the pack 'n play. Since he didn't get to take any naps during the day, mercifully he was tired enough at night to stay in his bed and not climb out.

Our room was so cute. I accidentally left my wedding rings on the dresser and they mailed them to me! (I forgot to mention that we left Benjy's glasses on the whale watching boat and they mailed them back to us as well. Phew!!)

The first morning we were there, the boys were like, "What are we supposed to do?!" And I didn't really know. But as time went on, we found our groove, and the boys felt more comfortable wandering around the farm. 

First order of the day was helping bottle-feed the newborn calves. It was surprisingly hard since the bottles were heavy and they hadn't really gotten the hang of it and kept trying to bite the metal fence instead.

Michael jumped right in to help by taking out the milk buckets for the calves that didn't need to be bottle fed. They licked those buckets completely dry.

Thanks to barn boots of every size that we could pick from, the boys were well-equipped to wander in the mud and enjoy things like these swings and the barns.

They milk about 120 cows a day, and they also have calves, other heifers (a cow who hasn't had a baby and therefore isn't yet producing milk), bulls, and dry cows (a cow that isn't being milked because she's pregnant and about to give birth). Even though it is quite a science, it is still messy. So. much. poop. and. pee.

These barn kitties--among others--became a highlight for the boys.

Good thing the cats were patient.

Very patient.

Very, very patient.

This cow had just licked my jacket.

Dang!

Clara wasn't a big fan of all the mud and cows, so she spent quite a bit of time on her Chromebook doing schoolwork and watching Disney. 

It was super fun when Beth's grandkids came over to play--the eight-year-old granddaughter helped show the boys the hayloft (so much hay!) and the two-year-old and Benjy were two peas in a pod.

I loved this huge corn field. I took Benjy and Henry out here and Henry could whack cornstalks to his heart's content without my having to get on to him not to hurt anything or dig in the wrong place. Made me really want to get some land.

We took the boys on a relaxed hike one afternoon.

Wouldn't want to go on an adventure with anyone else.

Another highlight was visiting a raptor rehab center. People around the country send in permanently injured birds of prey, which the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences uses to help educate people. 

I had never been so close to a bald eagle. 

This canopy walk at the raptor center was amazing.

This "nest" represents an eagle's aerie.

We climbed the stairs up to an even taller tree house. The view was spectacular.

Again, made me want to get land or have a place besides parks with playgrounds to take the kids. Made me want to get the boys out not just in the backyard (which they do every day) but out in just the forest.

Despite the challenges of virtual school and losing a couple of things, I couldn't have asked for the trip to go any better. 

Our Fall New England Adventure part 2

 The following day in Boston, we did a few more of the Freedom Trail sites before heading up to Vermont.

But first, we had to walk to the Public Garden to see the Make Way for Ducklings statues. This was a must-see for me--I love good children's books.

Someone had knitted them little sweaters.

The bridge over the garden (sadly the swan boats weren't in operation).

We saw the graves of Benjamin Franklin's parents. Everything must be climbed, apparently.

Park Street Church.

The Old North Church.

The USS Constitution ship was sadly closed, but we enjoyed it from a distance and even saw a sailor in his uniform, which was fun.

Bunker Hill monument was the last stop, and some in our party were groaning each step of the way to get there. They were pooped from all the walking.

Happy at the top.

We headed out of town and up to Vermont. We passed over this beautiful (and incredibly high bridge) and stopped to take a picture of the beauty. 

My heart about stops when my children are on any kind of high bridge with an edge like this. I spoke sharply to Henry when he was climbing on the railing and hurt his feelings, but I just can't handle it--it seriously makes me ill to think about the what-ifs with little eager climbers.

I am so glad we were able to stop in Sharon, Vermont, before we arrived at our final destination. This obelisk is 38.5 feet tall, a foot for every year of Joseph Smith's life.

Amazing how much one man can do in such a short period of time.

I liked this neat plaque on the hearthstone of the original house where Joseph Smith was born.

Our Fall New England Adventure part 1

 A few weeks ago, we took off work and school (well, school was done virtually in bits and pieces on the trip) and travelled up to Boston and Vermont for a fall adventure. The trip overall was really wonderful. It was my first time traveling that far northeast, and it was lovely. (Although I have to say, we live in a gorgeous place here in the Shenandoah Valley, too.)

On our way up to Boston, we stopped in Weehawken, New Jersey, to show the kids the NYC skyline. 

Michael also wanted to see the dueling grounds where Alexander Hamilton was fatally wounded by Aaron Burr. He has really enjoyed the music of the Hamilton musical and knows many of them by heart.

Clara in front of Alexander Hamilton.

We continued driving up to Boston, arriving late at night at the Omni Parker House. The Parker House Hotel is the oldest continuously running hotel in America.

The hotel was sadly very empty, but it was neat to feel the history and enjoy its decor.

Presumably because it was so empty, the hotel upgraded us to this super fun Freedom Trial Suite which had a bunkbed for kids, a map and chalkboard on the wall, bean bags, and a little table and chairs for the kids. So so fun.

We started walking on the Freedom Trail the next morning after eating some food we'd brought in the Yeti. The kids (nor us) were not big fans of having to wear masks outside in public places--I wish I had thought to get lanyards for the boys because they kept taking off their masks and flinging them around, dropping them, etc. Kind of defeated the purpose of germ protection.

Boston is a lovely city, and even though I'm not a big city gal, I enjoyed its history and layout. It didn't feel as dirty as NYC or Atlanta, and it was fun to see the historical buildings sprinkled throughout the large skyscrapers.

We made our way to the harbor where we boarded our boat for a whale watching trip. 

We were excited. Good thing we didn't know what we were in for . . . 

The naturalist on the ship who was speaking through the loud speaker mentioned that there were 2 foot swells that day, which didn't mean much to me. As we left the harbor and picked up speed, Clara began feeling sick, and I made my way with her to the back of the boat as my own tummy started heaving along with the boat. We both threw up and stayed huddled together on the back of the boat, trying to survive. Michael became seasick while trying to keep track of Benjy who unexpectedly threw up on Michael and then promptly fell asleep. Meanwhile, Robbie and Henry were walking and running around the three-story catamaran as happy as clams while I worried about their safety and behavior but helplessly had to remain seated to try to calm my stomach.

Mercifully, as we approached the whales, the boat slowed down and stopped, which allowed us to get up and see the whales. We saw dolphins and at least three different humpback whales.

They were so huge and so close to the boat. The naturalist was amazed at how close they were and said that in her eleven years of doing tours, they had never had that experience. She said it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (maybe she says that to everyone, haha, but she sounded quite sincere).

I wished I could have enjoyed the experience more, but it was really cool. Next time we'll take Dramamine beforehand.

Lots of wind!

I'm really glad that these two enjoyed it and weren't puking.

Mercifully our stomachs felt well enough to enjoy some delicious Regina Pizzeria pizza in the North End after the boat ride.

We also enjoyed treats from two different bakeries--Mike's Pastries and Modern.

We liked Mike's cannoli on the left better, although I have to say, I'm more of an ice cream girl myself.

Benjy had no objections to either.

In other news, we gave in to Robbie's year-long request to have a rat tail, which Michael cut right before our trip. I had to see it everywhere we walked around the city. 😭

Pumpkin Picking

Hunting for a pumpkin is always a fun activity, although sadly this year the pumpkins left on the vine were rotten. Still, we got a few pre-picked ones.

Clara didn't want to come with us, but this was a non-optional family activity, and I think she was glad she came.

These boys really are big sunflowers--they bring happiness and need lots of sunshine and energy to grow.

My favorite people.

This cutie had a blast just walking around the field in his boots. He unfortunately doesn't have any interest in going the same direction as the rest of us.

Thank goodness for wagons.

L - O - V - E these kiddos.

My birthday and other happenings

 I turned 38 this year. It feels pretty weird. I don't feel any different than when I was in my early twenties, although I certainly hope I am more compassionate and understanding. My birthday gift from Michael was a whole day to myself, which I enjoyed by going into the office to catch up personal items--the blogs, my journal, pondering what path I'm taking in life, planning for the fall, catching up with kind friends and family who reached out with birthday wishes, etc. Then the family surprised me with replacement dishes of the ones the kids have broken ;-). It was lovely.

The family birthday pic.

Michael and the boys made this sweet birthday banner for me. You can see in the background the patio work, which I'll share in a separate post.

I was concerned for Clara this year with virtual schooling, but mercifully she is able to attend her Zoom classes from the high school so she can have teachers there to help her with schoolwork as needed. It is going as well as could be expected.

At the bus stop waiting for her bus.

Henry took this pic of us unbeknownst to me while we were at Robbie's first soccer game watching his team play. Initially Robbie's team didn't have a coach, so Michael has kindly stepped up to be coach (I am the "support parent") in addition to being a bishop, orthodontist, husband, and father. I have helped a bit by looking up practice plan suggestions and reaching out to other soccer parent families. 

We had our first "family media plan" discussion a few weeks ago, something that will be an ongoing conversation, particularly with Robbie doing virtually learning at home (I still need to get a photo of him diligently focusing on Zoom with his class). Since I know I can't just ignore technology, I want my kids to be empowered users and not feel fear or be misinformed about it. I certainly love it in some respects and want my kids to be safe and wise. I am constantly combatting my own temptations to be on my phone instead of doing other more worthwhile things.

Henry is able to be in-person this year at Little Oaks preschool. As a June birthday, we could have put him into Kindergarten, but we prayerfully felt it was the best choice to give him another year of preschool. It is more rigid than I would like regarding mask-wearing, plexiglass dividers, and social distancing, but he seems to be enjoying it and it certainly helps to have him engaged while Robbie is doing his work at home.

This giant old-school slide at a park in Timberville was attractive to Benjy, who felt excited until he sat at the very top. However, I reached up my hand and he could barely touch it as he went down. He was proud of himself.

This year I expanded my applesauce efforts to buying two bushels of seconds at Showalter's Orchard. 

With Michael's help on a Friday night, we canned 18 quarts. I also made crockpot apple butter, instant pot applesauce, and apple pie filling for two pies. I bought the Ball Canning book and it has made me excited to can other things . . . this season of my life isn't exactly canning-conducive, but my hope is that next year I can can pickles and salsa since my refrigerator pickles earlier this summer were really yummy.

Clara got her wisdom teeth out last week! She has been super nervous about it and we've discussed it daily (often several times daily) for the past two months. Despite fighting the anesthesia (which made them have to give her a lot) and puking lots and lots the whole first day, she has been recovering really well so far, which is a great blessing.

I was excited that my efforts to collect donations for a program for at-risk first time moms went well--we collected 71 blankets and my goal was 75, along with tons of diapers and wipes. Pretty awesome.

Smoothies are good to the last drop, right Benjy?

September was a good month and I'm grateful to be getting into some sort of rhythm, although I confess I'm not quite there yet. If I could accomplish my goal of being asleep by 9:30pm, I think I'd feel better. Well, Michael and I are trying to get off our devices at 9pm to connect first. I have different things I'm trying to work on with each of the three older kids (family history work with Clara weekly, but when?, reading the Book of Mormon with Robbie each morning before Henry gets up, which is going pretty well, and working on smooth talking with Henry each day--also having a hard time finding time to do it), and I don't feel like I'm quite getting the most important things done, but I'm trying. I am trying.