Vermont! ...with a little bit of Niagara and Boston

We had an amazing trip to Vermont with the Larson fam.  We started by all meeting up in Cleveland, then headed to Niagara Falls and a few church sites on the way, and ended with a couple of days in Boston.  

Here are the boys checking out the view of the falls from our hotel.  We had  great time on the Maid of the Mist and an "interesting" tour of the town.   What a view though.

Hands down, the best dessert ever!  

At the Canadian TGI Fridays they had my all time favorite dessert, Oreo Madness.   It was just as good as I remembered.   TGIF took it away a few years ago and life hasn't been the same since.  If heaven doesn't have this, I am not sure I want to go...

We stopped at the Hill Cumorah and a few other historical church sites.  I am so sorry I don't have the photos of Thayne (Ben's dad) rolling down the hill.  It was awesome and I knew Parker was proud of his grandpa.

Here are the lovebirds taking in the sites

We stayed at an unbelievable cabin up in the mountains of Vermont.  From there we took a few day trips up north and just enjoyed being together at the house.  I loved running up there because everything was uphill and the scenery was breathtaking.

We had an early birthday party for Parker.  His favorite part was playing with the cars that came from the top of the cake.

Day Trips

Parker loves to pretend to drive.  I think he has a car fetish like his mom and dad.

A cute little roadside antique store with some yummy homemade treats.  

Boston

We had a great time switching over into city life after rural Vermont.  We saw a bunch of sites, visited Joseph at Harvard, got stuck in the rain, and did some shopping.

This is my kind of shopping.  Marshalls, H&M and TJ Maxx all next door to one another.

Parker showing off his comfy ride (and sweet shoes from Auntie J).

Nathan and I taking in the sites .  I think I could hang out with him forever.  He is hilarious.

After all of it we were exhausted and sad to see a great trip come to an end.

After posting this I realized we are missing a lot of family pics we need to get...

Some things we did in Cleveland this summer....

We gave Parker a buzz cut

The poor kid could barely see

Father and son matching hair

This is after when we played "where did Parker's hair go?"

We spent some time at the pool

We love our community pool.  It is pretty amazing.  We just wish the season could last longer. To the right of the slide is the high dive where Ben gave in to peer pressure (wife pressure) and hurt his neck.  It was a sweet dive though.  :)

We worked on the house

Here are Ben and Jeff framing the basement.  This never would have been possible without Jeff's expertise.  I love his wife Amanda for giving up her husband three nights in a row.  The Masters fam is so awesome.  We love them.

Clearly they had their work cut out for them

Here are Ben and Parker lowering the crib.  Parker is very curious how everything works.  Looks like that blessing is coming true.

Parker turns 1!

For Parker's first birthday we had the fire department come to his party...ha ha ya right!  Maybe if Parker's mom was Dacia.  :)  Actually Parker's first birthday was on the day of our beloved block party so it worked out perfectly.   Our street always arranges for the fire department to stop by so Parker and Ben got to check out the truck (I think Ben was actually more excited than Parker).  We always play some games, have a bake off and just hang out.  I love our street.

 Where's Waldo?   Where's Parker?  Find the little boy in the red and white striped shirt.

Parker wasn't too interested in his cake.

Now play where is the white girl with no ankles...oh yeah, that's me.

We loved having Aunt Claire with us to celebrate.  Parker absolutely adores her.

To Parker it was just another day but we love our block parties and had a great time celebrating that we are still alive after being parents for a year.  Good job us.

Maybe the best Monday ever...

No one looks forward to Monday, especially after a great weekend.  However this past Monday might have been just one of the best.  There was nothing really significant that happened but maybe that is why I enjoyed it so much.    Just a simple, perfect day.   

Here is what happened:

1.  Parker slept a half hour later than usual

2.  Ben didn't have to be in early 

3.  Therefore, Ben changed Parker's big morning diaper and got his milk while I laid in bed

4.  I went on the best run I have had in a good couple of weeks

5.  Parker and I went to CostCo and had some yummy new samples together

6.  Gas was so cheap I had to double check my receipt

7.  The weather was sunny, warm, and beautiful with the fall leaves

8.  We met up with some great friends at the park

9.  I cleaned the refrigerator (it has the best return of cleaning anything and I love doing it)

10.  Ben got home early :)

11.  I made a really good, healthy dinner............yes, it was good, healthy and I am still proud 

12.  I gave Parker a bath and watched him happily splash and play without a care in the world

13.  We read extra bedtime stories

14.  Ram emailed some pics so Ben and I reminisced about our great weekend 

Here are a few pics

Parker and Ben playing Whirly Ball.  What is Whirly Ball you ask?  It is like lacrosse on bumper cars.... seriously.

Ben, Parker and Ram   

If only Parker would smile like the big boys

Parker is having a snack at the flag football game

But he gave up on the sandwich and went for the tomato instead

After getting bored I gave him some oreos

The sweet trophy

This was perfect football weather.  

Thanks Ram!