Vermont

This year the family vacation was shared with my mom, sister, brother-in-law and nephew.  We transferred the time share to Smugg's Notch Resort in Smuggler's Notch, VT.  It was beautiful!  We were in the mountains, but rolling hills and farmland was not far away.  It is a beautiful state- I don't think there was one part of it that we saw that was not beautiful or unique in some way.

The boys of course had a blast and were inseparable for most of the trip.  Gray said that Kaleb was his best friend!  They had their moments of course, just as any set of toddlers would, but it really is pretty amazing how much these two love each other.  We couldn't have dreamed a better relationship up for the two.

Me, Moo and Lou in front of Lake George, NY

It was a long drive, we rented a big passenger van to make the trip...this was the most trying for sure.  That many adults should not be trapped in a van for that long. We did see some beautiful country though by driving instead of flying.

 The weather was not always cooperating with our vacation, but we made the best out of it and did factory tours and tastings on rainy days.  Vermont is like a dream world filled with chocolate, cheese, craft beer and wine.  Okay, maybe my dream world...not if you are lactose intolerant.  We visited the Cabot Annex and tasted as much as we could...oh, my goodness is all I can say.  We ended up only with one block of cheese from them- their vintage aged cheese...but we also bought from Mt. Mansfield Creameries another aged cheese.

Mam-moo and Gray...how fitting?  They are both mooing!

Ben & Jerry's Factory Tour

I want them all!

I swear everyone working here was happy and cheerful.  Maybe it's all the ice cream and sugar...maybe it's the workplace atmosphere...maybe it's standing behind a socially responsible company.  Whatever it is it is working.  Loved this place.

Lou and Kaleb

On the really gorgeous days we went hiking, canoeing, played outside and visited a sugar maple farm.

Mam-moo playing on the playground with Gray

Hiking around the resort property

 We went hiking around Mt. Mansfield State Forest.  It was beautiful. We never made it to the top of Mt. Mansfield because of the weather and time, but the waterfalls and scenery were amazing even on our shorter hikes.  Gray had such a good time- we made a fairy house, pretended to have tea with Mr. Owl, and jumped in as many mud puddles as we could find.

Fairy House

Kaleb peeking at the goats at the Sugar Maple Farm

Buddies

Mam-moo on the playground again :)

The rainiest day was perfect for heading to Burlington, and visiting the ECHO Lake Aquarium & Science Center.  It is a great little science center for a small city, and the boys had a blast.

Cousin Kaleb

The resort even had special guests for meals.  We only ended up doing one breakfast out in one of their restaurants...and man was it worth it.  Gray is on a huge pirate kick right now, and would you believe we had a friendly pirate come and sing and play the guitar with us.  The kids were so excited over this...and the giant bear that accompanied him!

On the way back we stopped for one last excursion at Shelburn Vineyards.  It was a beautiful little spot in South Burlington, and even Moo got in on the wine tasting.  

 

Taking in the scenery