Random pictures from May

Ok, so we've gotten a bit behind in updating the blog! Here are some snapshots from the past month. It's been so much FUN getting to know Braden as his personality grows and shines everyday...he fits right in!

Green Up Day

In Vermont, the first Saturday in May is always Green Up Day. People across the State spend the morning picking up trash from the road sides. The snow has finally melted yet the grass hasn't grown tall enough to cover the debris. We participate each year and cover more and more ground the older the kids get. This year, we partnered with our neighbors the Gilberts and cleaned up from their house to ours on both sides of the road. We covered 1.3 miles which with the five kids, took 2 hours. We take the trash and recycling to the local elementary school where it is collected. Then we enjoy a delicious lunch with other neighbors who also spent the morning greening up the community. Here are a few pictures to document the day:
The green bags are the official Green Up bags
Eliza, Hughes, Finn, and Tegan ready to go. Braden was along for the ride too!
The strollers were necessary as they carried any assortment of kids and bags.
Our best finds were two Red Sox baseballs, a cordless phone, and a head light.
A well deserved lunch at the Elementary School.

Manchester & Easter

Last week we took the whole family to the majestic Equinox Hotel in Manchester for Braden's first hotel stay (he had his best sleeping night to date). While Patrick was at a conference for work during the day, the 3 kids kept Cristin busy on the incredible play structure behind the parking lot. For hours. That is all Tegan and Finn wanted to do...

Braden was there, too. But he was focused on finding someone to jam with (hint: just ask your daddy!).

Getting ready and looking goooood for Easter at the Old Meeting House.

Some Easter photo ops with the Whitneys...

So happy to be in Mommy's arms.

Third Child

Poor Braden.
Total third child syndrome. Braden is 7 weeks old today. His first smile was at his sister and father three weeks ago. Is the date in his baby book yet? Have we mentioned it on the blog? Have we even documented it with a picture? Well, finally I can say yes to the last two. . . three weeks later!
In the past three weeks, he has been sleeping, hanging in the Bjorn, having playtime on the blanket,
attending sugar on snow parties, doing jammie time with his siblings,
hiking, visiting relatives, celebrating his first St. Patrick's Day,
and growing like a weed.
Also, he has been smiling and laughing. Because he is such a mello, laid back guy, who is barely ever awake, and totally overshadowed by his attention seeking siblings, we hadn't even attempted a picture of him smiling. Finally, as of last night, we tried and successfully captured the smile on camera. Three weeks later. Poor third child . . .

Winter Picnic

It was a beautiful late winter/early spring Vermont day - 40 degrees and sunny. Our goal was to have an outdoor adventure within walking distance of our home. The five of us (plus Riley) headed out for a snowshoe excursion to a nearby sugar house. We packed a picnic lunch and the kids loved the idea of having a picnic in the snow. The weather was perfect and everyone had a great hike in, a super lunch complete with hot chocolate, and then went launching off (small) cliffs with the goal of a crazy mid-air leap.
It went so well that when we arrived back at our house, people weren't ready to head inside. We ditched jackets, gloves, snoeshoes, and bags to continue to explore a neighbor's forest we had never entered. Here's a few shots from today. . .

The hike to the sugar house

Lunch on the snowTegan's excitement about the day :-)

Leaping from the cliffBraden enjoyed the outdoor air but slept through the entire adventure.

Early March photo updates...

Beautiful

Are ALL the boys really asleep here?

Hangin' outside Aunt Lindy & Uncle Bruce's barn before gathering eggs from their chickens.

Listening to the cluck, cluck, clucking coming from inside.
Aunt Colleen stopped by for some quality outside time.
Braden's first hoody!
Braden's first "real" bath. He absolutely loved it - he was so calm the entire time.

Pre-bath photo op for the big kids. Wow, they do look big!

Braden's getting big, too!

Excellent, post-feeding active time (photo by Tegan)