August 2021

 In August, Lily attended her very first formal affair!  Her private field hockey coach got engaged and threw an engagement party for the players.  Lily and her friend, Lucy, got all dolled up and had a great (and fancy) time. Lily got braces!! We visited the Catskills and New England on a good ole family road trip.  (Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts) The day after we got back, we celebrated GiGi's 92nd birthday at our house.  After that fun day, we had a relaxing week until the kids first soccer tournament.  Both kids played GREAT! Then, it was time for the first day of school!!!

No braces

Braces!!

Off we go to Hunter, NY. We drove up Friday to our hotel and grabbed dinner at a local brewery. 

Next, we found a cute ice ice cream shop in the small town. 

Then we went exploring with our ice cream. 

On this trip, we played many games of Five Crowns.  Lily also perfected her shuffling bridge. 

Leaving the Hunter Inn to go on a hike and then head up to Vermont. 

Adios, Hunter Inn!

A pretty hike and many waterfalls. 

Vermont-bound, we stopped in Albany, NY for lunch at the Iron Gate Cafe. 

Alas, we arrive in Stowe, Vermont!  We stayed a cool place called Field Guide Stowe.  

We found a local pub for dinner and games. 

Then ice cream, of course! 

Cards! 

Swimming in the pool in Stowe. 

Johnny perfected his cannon ball this summer. 

We rented bikes in Stowe and had a great time.  Johnny learned to handle a 12 speed!  

Shuffleboard game in the common area of the Field Guide Stowe.

Johnny LOVED the bathtub here and really liked the bath salts. (they were yellow)

Of course, we visited Ben & Jerry's!  A long, hot wait - but worth it!!

Then off to Daddy's choice - the Alchemist Brewery!  

After the brewery, we chose a Mexican place for dinner in Stowe.

Outside the Field Guide Stowe. Probably requesting the key to open the main door. 

More swimming! 

What luck, Star Wars was on in the evening! 

Bye, Vermont!  Off to Maine.  But first, a stop in New Hampshire to ride the cog railway up Mt. Washington!

Heading up! 

At the top!  A big foggy.... and COLD.

Gift shop goodies! 

And down we go! 

A very big slug

Southwest Harbor, Maine!  It was a foggy day!

Acadia National Park

Ferry ride!

Our home for a few days.  Cranberry Cottage. 

See ya, Maine!  Off to Massachusetts! First stop, Treehouse Brewery!!!  

The kids ate loaded baked potatoes and enjoyed the sunset. 

A very cool koi pond kept the kids entertained.  Lily liked touching the koi.  Johnny tried to muster up the courage.  

New hotel in Sturbridge! Pool time!

Six Flags, New England - on the hottest day of the month. 

Lily's FIRST loopty loop coaster - The Batman Ride!  It was SO FUN!

Then we immediately went to the Riddler to ride the corkscrews!  

Meanwhile, Johnny met Daffy Duck and played carnival games. 

A finale dinner in Sturbridge at a fancy seafood place.  

As we ate, there was a rain storm.  When we left there was a DOUBLE RAINBOW!!

Before heading south, we checked out Old Sturbridge.  It's kind of like Colonial Williamsburg, but smaller.  It was a very hot day again, so it was a quick visit. 

Back in PA......

We hosted Grammy's 92nd birthday party!!

Mom went to celebrate Aunt Briana's birthday at the beach with her for a few days with friends. It was nice to get away! 

The next weekend was so fun!! Both kids had soccer tournaments!  Johnny was thrilled to start his travel soccer career with is teammates! The boys went 2-1 in a one day tournament.  Very solid start for these little dudes! Go Dynamite!

The girls team rocked it!  We played two games Saturday and two games Sunday.  3-1 win (one goal by Lily), 7-5 win (THREE goals by Lily), 2-0 (one assist by Lily) and 2-0 (one assist by Lily). Needless to say, our hearts were bursting with pride over her grit and skills.  

On August 30th, the kids started school!!!  6th grade (middle school) for Lily and 3rd grade for Johnny! 

Boys only at the bus stop now!