• Travel & Vacation: Visiting Family in Vermont

    Family in Vermont

    Spending time with family in Vermont!

    We had the opportunity to visit family in Vermont this summer!  Jake’s Grandpa Wesley or “PopPop” as the girls call him turned 90 and we were able to celebrate his birthday while we were there.  It was nice seeing Jake’s Mom, grandparents, and his sister’s family while we were in Vermont.

    Family in Vermont

    PopPop with the three girls at the picnic table!

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    Sunning themselves on the rock after going for a swim in the pool!

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    Brina loved Grandma Kay’s chickens!  She thinks we should get some too now, ha!  Midge was very accommodating and allowed the kids to carry her around.

    Family in Vermont

    We made a lean to fort now they are weaving some items.  Always something with this crew.

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    Celebrating PopPop’s 90th Birthday!

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    Nana opening up her singing card!

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    The three girls hanging out with PopPop and Nana!

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    Grandma Kay with three of her granddaughters on July 4th!

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    Happy July 4th from Vermont!

    Family in VermontRunning around by the river!

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    July 4th was a little bit of a raining day, but we still had a lot of fun and managed to squeeze in some time playing down at the river.

    Family in VermontThe three girls putting on a play.

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    These chickens let the girls hold them, which made it even more enjoyable of the kids!

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    Playing the Jelly Belly Bean Boozled Game!  Wonder if Noelle got a good flavor…..nope!

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    Irish enjoying her ham bone!

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    We tried the Vermont Maple Soda for the first time this summer!  The four of us split a bottle.  It was cold and good.  A little sweeter than I expected, but delicious!

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    Splashing around in the cool river on a sunny day!

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    The girls had fun hanging out with cousins at the river!

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    PopPop and Nana relaxing in their chairs!

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    A full table!

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    It was great spending some time with family in Vermont.

  • Travel & Vacation: Life Around the Kabini River, India

    Sign near the Kabini River.  Guess it probably won’t be a great idea to swim in the river….not a fan of swimming with crocodiles! Hmmm…let me think about it….No, thank you I would rather not swim with the crocodile! 🙂

    I absolutely LOVED going to India.  It was an amazing experience.  The people were awesome and I learned a lot about myself during the trip.  I have many things to be grateful for in my life yet so often I complain.  I don’t have to pump drinking water or live in a tarp yet how often I grumble with the inconveniences of my life.  I really do need to have a more thankful and giving heart because there a many people in this world that are content with far less.  May I never forget this trip or the many things India revealed to me.

    Filling her water jugs up to take back to her home.  Watching her pump the water makes me appreciate the running water we have in our home.  Sometimes I don’t realize how “convenient” life really is in the United States.  I don’t ever remember pumping and carrying my drinking water.

    Road full of goats!

    Family in a small village near the Kabini River! The little boy is so cute.

    Colorful houses near Kabini River

    Look out stand in the tree.  They use these look out to spot dangerous predators.

    People will set up tents near the fields that are ready to be harvested.  When the field is done they move to the next location and set up their tents.  Makes me feel so very blessed to have a nice home.  Even though its not perfect I don’t have to set up tarp tents near a jungle with lions and leopards in it.  I have so much to be grateful for in my life.

    Traveling through India was an eye opening experience for me.  I enjoyed meeting a lot of wonderful people.  Jake and I spent time exploring the area with Jake’s cousin Matt and his family.  Thankful for an opportunity to spend some time with their family.  We had a blast and hope we will be able to go back again some day.

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!