Vermont Vacation

Several months ago, one of Bob's contacts (and friend) at a supplier to AES offered us the use of their company's house in Stratton, Vermont. We said "yes, please!" and signed up for a week in early March.

Three days before we were planning to leave, I was texting with my friend Le Anne, and our trip came up. When she replied that she had always wanted to see Vermont, I enthusiastically - but somewhat jokingly because, I mean who can just pick up and go? - invited her family along. After a few more back and fourths, and with the joie de vivre I so love in her, she wrangled her hubby Marc into taking off work, called me at 11:00PM that night to say they were coming and started packing snowsuits for the kids!

And then ...

• Bob still wasn't over the flu
• Upon calling to check on car seats, Le Anne learned the rental car place no longer had a car reserved for them
• The day before we were meant to leave I called to check on the keys, setting off a morning of confusion and panic because Bob's friend thought we said we could no longer go (we think it sprang from Bob telling him Cearra couldn't come) ... and therefore had given up "our" week. To the president of the company.
• We all celebrated again as said president agreed to give up his time so we could go
• Bob still wasn't over the flu
• Le Anne discovered they had mistakenly booked their flights for PM rather than AM

There were a few other random and somewhat head-slapping complications that we quickly learned to laugh about. Because after all, we all got there, Vermont is gorgeous (and a little quirky, just like being in "Newhart") ... 

and if the scenery wasn't enough to cast off any lingering difficulties, we had a beautiful princess, two Jedi knights and, um, well, Marc, to amuse (and cook for!) us:

The kids couldn't wait to get out in the white stuff. Glorious sledding and snowball throwing and hiking and every one's favorite - eating snow!

Promise - most of the time they had mile wide smiles!

They were very careful to make sure they only slurped on the white stuff

Le Anne blazing a trail

Close one!

Mom takes out her kids!

So cute!!

Le Anne perfected the fine art of butt sledding

And took Owen for a ride

Elloree's got it

Look at that grin!

Our little heart breaker

Love the cool heads behind the head riding style!

Owen, Rhys and Elle had such a blast together!

Inside, electronics and monster trucks reigned supreme

One day we ventured down off our mountain to visit a family farm and learn the craft of sugaring - making tree sap into something we all want to pour on our pancakes. Ever wonder what the first person to try such a thing was thinking?

It doesn't hurt the tree at all to tap into its' sap

We were all surprised by how clear, fluid and relatively
tasteless the sap is when it first runs from the tree

The Sugarhouse

Inside the sugarhouse it was warm and sweet-smelling

The sap is heated and progressively boils down into syrup

Friday was Rhys' 6th birthday, so after lunch at a local restaurant we went bowling. Bob, in his first outing since arrival, managed to beat us all. He was finally on the mend.

As usual, Elle is leading the charge

What started as a bit of a crazy (not in a good way) trip turned into a majorly crazy (in a great way!) vacation. We had such a wonderful time with Marc, Le Anne and their kids, and seeing three Kaz kids all happily playing and laughing always makes my day.

Those crazy Kieffers - love them!

As Bob Newhart himself once said, "All I can say about life is, 'Oh God, enjoy it!'