As many may know my mom moved to Ma. a few wks ago. A couple days after she got here we decided to take a drive up to Vt to visit my cousin, who we haven't seen in awhile. The day we drove up ended up being Charlie's actual birthday, which sinks but we tried to make the best out of a 4hr drive, as much as we could. 
When we finally got there the kids seem to be shy at first but it didn't take long for them to warm up to each other. My cousin Santina has a 5yr (6 in Jan) Asher. The last & only time Asher & Alexa met was @ Thanksgiving when Alexa was 4 mo. old & Asher was 11 mo old. So they obviously didn't remember each other. Both of them were excited to see each other since neither have family that lives very close to them & both want to meet more family & def. family they could see more often.
After we got there we took a trip down to Cabot to watch how they make the cheese and enjoy quite a bit of cheese sampling too.
Asher, Alexa, & Charlie
Eating the cheese popcorn
Then when we got back to my cousins (Santina's) house we had dinner then let the kids enjoy the ice cake Santina bought for Charlie's birthday. Charlie ate all the frosting & the top of the cake but didn't like the cake and ice cream mixer on the bottom, so of course I enjoyed, hehe.
And after all the fun it was time to relax.
The next day we went to a few more museum/factories.
The Cold Hollow Cider Mill
Everything in this place (except the coffee) was cider. Syrup, hot & cold apple cider, jelly, butter, doughnuts, which Charlie didn't like, as you can tell from the pic below after her 1st bite.
Above the entrance door
In front of Lake Champlain Chocolates
We didn't take pics inside, the place was pretty nice & we didn't stay too long, but did sample some chocolate.
Then off to Simon Pearce Glassblowing
Surprisingly this was the place the kids were the most behaved & most interested in. We walked into the place & there was glass bowls, vases, etc. I was very scared to walk in w/ the kids but we went straight to the side room where you can watch a guy actually make the stuff in the store. it was really cool to watch how they added color & how they got the shape of the things he made.
And then to the place I wanted to go the most Ben & Jerry's
Then off to Simon Pearce Glassblowing
Surprisingly this was the place the kids were the most behaved & most interested in. We walked into the place & there was glass bowls, vases, etc. I was very scared to walk in w/ the kids but we went straight to the side room where you can watch a guy actually make the stuff in the store. it was really cool to watch how they added color & how they got the shape of the things he made.
And then to the place I wanted to go the most Ben & Jerry's
Can you say yuuuumy. We took a tour of how they made the ice cream & then they gave a lil' sample @ the end. I would have probably bought an enormous ice cream afterwards if I didn't have kids w/ me & if I didn't have to stand in line. So I actually passed. lol.
After we let them enjoy ice cream we strapped the girls back in the car & drove (another 4hrs) home. It was a nice visit & definitely great seeing them.
A couple days later we invited some of Charlie's friends to Chuck E Cheese to enjoy her birthday w/ her. I love Chuck E Cheese, just because you can have a bunch of kids in one place & let them all run around w/ out having to worry too much about where they are, how loud they're being, or what they're doing, plus they can't leave w/ out you. It was a great time playing, eating, opening presents. Charlie seemed to really love it.
Mattingly (aka Mattie)
fully concentrating on the game
Lydia
Audrey
Evan
A couple days later we invited some of Charlie's friends to Chuck E Cheese to enjoy her birthday w/ her. I love Chuck E Cheese, just because you can have a bunch of kids in one place & let them all run around w/ out having to worry too much about where they are, how loud they're being, or what they're doing, plus they can't leave w/ out you. It was a great time playing, eating, opening presents. Charlie seemed to really love it.
Mattingly (aka Mattie)
fully concentrating on the game
Lydia
Audrey
Evan
(watching Charlie & Evan playing air hockey was the cutest thing,
neither could reach very far)
Colin
Charlie was super excited to blow out her candles, first yr she was able too.
cupcake time.....yummy.
Audrey was very interested in what Charlie got too :)
First puppets Charlie isn't afraid of.
Homemade scarf & hat from Krystle, so cute.
Colin
Charlie was super excited to blow out her candles, first yr she was able too.
cupcake time.....yummy.
Audrey was very interested in what Charlie got too :)
First puppets Charlie isn't afraid of.
Homemade scarf & hat from Krystle, so cute.
Makes me wish I could make things.
Another successful birthday. Thanks to everyone who came. We love you all.
(A long week but definitely worth it)
Another successful birthday. Thanks to everyone who came. We love you all.
(A long week but definitely worth it)
