Summer Camp

Sue has been going to Deer Lake summer camp since first grade. Deer Lake is a traditional summer camp, on a lake, with swimming, canoeing, archery, forestry, and crafts. Every two-week session Sue joins a new tribe. This session she was a member of the "Rabid Fuzzy Cows". This is her tribe.

Can you find Sue? (Hint: black sweater)

Thanksgiving 2011

This year our Thanksgiving was a bit different from the norm. Instead of joining my mother and her friends (who were going to have goose this year), we decided we wanted a "just-family" Thanksgiving, and we wanted turkey, and so we did just that. It was lots of work cooking everything, but the house smelled great and we had a lovely dinner. Friday we went to the Florence Griswold museum with our friends the Dattilos. It was a spectacular day! And then on Saturday, a long walk in the woods with the Dattilos and dogs, including a picnic. Another glorious day. Ahhhhhh.

NYC and MoMA

Last weekend we went into New York to visit the MoMA and see Grandpa Jim and Grandma Gail. Sue was doing a MoMA workshop at Eli Whitney Museum summer camp the following (last) week, and we thought it would be more interesting for her if she'd actually been to the museum first.

We had a great time! Although the weather was rainy, everything went incredibly smoothly. We took the Shoreline East train from Branford into New Haven and switched to the Metro North, an easy walk across the platform. Sue really enjoyed the ride, as you can tell in the pictures below.

This was our first trip to MoMA since the renovation. It's so much bigger! But it was fun to see old favorites, like the helicopter, the bicycle stool, French impressionists, Andy Warhol, and Jackson Pollock.

On the way back to Grand Central, we stopped by the American Girl doll store, and the grandparents bought Sue her first American Girl doll (#14, which has hair and eyes similar to Sue's). At the store, a personal shopper was incredibly helpful, because frankly, it was a little overwhelming. Sue was in seventh heaven on the way home, full of modern art and ecstatic about her new doll.

Bozeman Ski Trip

Tired but happy, we're back from our annual visit to Grandma Val. Unfortunately, little Sue was sick for part of the visit, but she still managed to fit in three ski classes.

Valerie gave me ski lessons and lift tickets for this year's birthday present, which was a fabulous gift. The lesson was just the thing, and the day afterwards Valerie and I got in a good 6 runs on a spectacular sunny mild day.

Thanksgiving

This year's Thanksgiving dinner was similar to previous years, although somehow it all seemed better. The turkey was especially delicious -- Richmond had brined it. Everyone seemed very well, and was relaxed, and there was good conversation. Although Little Sue was somewhat bored, she dealt.



Brendan was relaxed.



The pumpkin pie was especially lovely.



So much to be thankful for!

Anouk's Christening

Sean and Collette had a beautiful day for Anouk's christening. The kids played, the adult's talked, and Anouk was, of course, the star of the show.

Reading Despereaux

Sunday, Brendan decided to read aloud the last of The Tales of Despereaux. My parents used to read aloud to me when I was a child, and I'd forgotten what a pleasant afternoon can be had, relaxing and listening to someone read a good book aloud.



Thanks, Edward, for sharing a wonderful story with us.

Christmas 2007

Christmas was as jolly as ever this year. We found a lovely tree at La Bella's:

Valerie and Michael are here for the week. There was much conversation, dog walking, and good eats.

Little Sue was thrilled with her My Little Pony Skywishes, the only thing she asked Santa to bring.

Brendan actually had some time to relax and enjoy the season.

Guilford Fair

It's fair season. Last weekend was the Guilford Fair. This weekend is the Durham Fair. I do love the fairs, but by the time the Durham Fair is over, I'm done with fairs (until next year, of course).

I always feel a little guilty posting about something a week or longer ago, but I'd feel even sillier not posting. So here you go, highlights of our visit to the Guilford Fair last weekend:

Sue rode a camel and a pony.





The petting zoo is always a big hit.




Sue had to go in the Tilt-A-Whirl again, with Natalie and Kim. It's almost impossible to get a good picture with those things turning and twisting.


Brendan with Sue, and Larry with Natalie, raced down the big slide together.


Towards the end of the day, when Sue got tired, we stopped by the horse pull for a little rest. Sue took these pictures. In the first one they're raking the ground under the sledge in preparation for the next pull. In the second picture they're using a tractor to pull the sledge back in place for the start of another pull.

Haddam Neck Fair

Saturday was one of those perfect New England end-of-summer days -- high air pressure, crystal clear air, warm sun, light breeze. We took full advantage of the day: first, a swim for Brendan, a sail on the sunfish for Susan, and some beach time for Sue. Next, it was on to the Haddam Neck Fair, where we met up with our friends Nathan and Joanna, and the Dattilos (Larry, Kim, and their daughter Natalie, with friend Henry). This fair is just the right size for little kids (and adults who don't like huge crowds and long waits in line too). They've got the rides, the animals, the music, the fair food, and this time they were doing dog agility trials, where the dogs run an obstacle course. Lots of fun was had by all ...

Natalie, Kim and Sue rode the Tilt-A-Whirl. Several times. Totally Barfaramic. Henry, Brendan and Larry looked on, glad they weren't the ones being flung around.



Sue rode the carousel.


Brendan took Sue down the big slide.


Sue wanted cotton candy more than anything. And she got a pony ride too.


Nathan, Joanna, and Brendan (who won a frog for Sue)


There was a petting zoo with llamas and Jacob sheep (supposedly the oldest breed of sheep).




Top it all off with yummy pizza at the newest place in town, come home and collapse. Ahh, those wonderful end-of-summer (or is it start-of-fall?) days!