C is for Connecticut

As I mentioned in the previous post, the babes and I spent a week in the most beautiful state of Connecticut in the most darling town of Newtown. It really is one of the most idyllic places I've ever visited. The people are kind, the scenery is gorgeous, the houses are amazing. We go for walks around my parent's neighborhood and see homes built in the 1600's. Growing up in the northwest, things just aren't that old! I love having a reason to visit the northeast and experience American history preserved in everyday life.

And Connecticut in the Fall is just a picture book. We spent three weeks there last October, and September this year was just as gorgeous. We went to an apple orchard, a lovely park where Peter Rabbit lives, and even to the zoo. Mason and Miriam got to spend time with their cousins, and we all got to meet sweet baby June for the first time.

The plane rides to and from were less than heavenly. But that's all for another post.

Here's about a million pictures of our trip. They got out of order when I was uploading, so don't expect them to make any sense. =)

Sweet baby M sleeping on the plane

Happy travelers, at least for this moment!

Helllllo, New York!

Giving cousin Norah love

She wasn't so appreciative of it.

We celebrated sweet Norah's 3rd Birthday while we were there!

Ice. Cream. Cake.

Loving her punky brewster style. This girl is a sass in the greatest way!

Apple picking at Blue Jay Orchards in Newtown.

Follow the apples to....

CIDER DONUTS!!

Uncovering the answer to the apple trivia.

Hard little worker.

Seeing how tall Mason is so we can compare year to year.

Enjoying the fruits of his labor. Literally.

All the cousins ready for church.

Norah and Miriam looking at each other in this one makes my heart melt.

Darling Norah sharing her kitties.

The night before Shayla left, he wouldn't leave her alone for a second. And then he was crying and saying "Stay home, Aunt Shaywa!" She is very loved.

The sweetest park where we found Peter Rabbit's house.

The rooster is the Newtown mascot.

This is the only kind of dog I'm willing to get. 

Going for a walk with Nana.

This beautiful park is amazing. I love their little town.

Having a chat.

Ninja and Mason

Helping Pop Pop haul the wood.

At the Bridgeport Zoo

Sweet gifts from around the world are still everywhere in Newtown.

Forks are for the birds!

Just before her very first flight.

Thanks for another wonderful visit, beautiful Connecticut! See you soon.

Cabin in the Woods

I've tried about a half a dozen times to write this post, but every time I tried to upload the pictures Blogger would time out and I would lose my mind and slam the laptop shut and move on to more important things needing to be done. Like catching up on Pretty Little Liars (don't judge me).

So this is my last ditch attempt, and I guess if you're reading this then it finally worked out.

We spent two weekends ago in Washougal to say goodbye to our beautiful family cabin. Much to all our dismay my parents sold it and we needed to pack up the rest of what's been there. It was bittersweet, but I'm glad we made the trip and were able to take Mason at least once and show him where I grew up in sweet little Camas. Knowing that it was the last time we'd be there for a long time made all of it seem even more perfect and beautiful...even the dreary rain.

We ate at our beloved Burgerville, twice of course, made S'Mores in the giant cabin fireplace, packed up all the furniture, went shopping at the beautiful Pendleton store, and walked up the driveway-our favorite morning workout. Nana even caught a frog for Mason to look at while I hid like a coward behind the screen door. I need to get over that if my kids are ever going to learn to enjoy nature.

Mason learned from our other many road trips that it's best to just go to sleep right from the start.