Billings Farm & Museum: Woodstock, VT

Yesterday we headed over to Woodstock, VT to visit the farm animals at the Billings Farm & Museum. It's a historic, operational, dairy farm and we had a feeling Olivia would love it. Finally, Old McDonald was brought to life! We saw horses, cows, sheep, and chickens - and even got fresh homemade ice cream- yum! We also perused the exhibit on Windsor county quilts at the museum and voted for our favorite. And if that wasn't enough of an eventful day for Miss Livvy - that evening we headed up to Montpelier to have dinner with Uncle Jon. What a nice sunday!

Horses grazing in the pasture.

They finally came over to give Olivia a better look.

The sheep pen.

Sleep Sheep!

The ladies were getting ready for milking. I feel your pain girls ; )

Corn!

Olivia has recently developed a real love for corn. And even though we cut the corn off the cob for her  - she insists on trying her best to snack on any kernels we may have overlooked!

Ahh the cob!

Behold,  the master of the cob!

I can even conquer two cobs at once!

I love my cobs.

Olivia Swims

Olivia and I joined our new friends Taryn and Parker for 2 weeks of Parent-Child swimming lessons at Storrs Pond Recreation Center in Hanover. It was a half hour class Monday-Thursday and the girls, big and small, really enjoyed themselves! Here are some picks of us in action!

Kick, kick, reach, reach

No, you're not seeing double - the girls have the same bathing suit -
a total coincidence!

Horsey-Noodle

Olivia swimming back from retrieving one of our team duckies.
Now the trick is getting her to relinquish it!

Now for the backstroke!

The girls successfully retrieved their balls.

Eyeing mom's blueberry muffin at the end of class party.

The girls celebrate the accomplishment with a Mum (rice cracker favorite)!

Olivia and Peter Meet Again!

We were desperately in need of another great weekend visiting at Stratton with the Stoepkers and company.  So, we headed over (a mere hour and 20 minutes away now!) and had a great time with Jeremy, Tanveer, Peter, Michelle, Abu, Jordan, Seema, Josh, and Julie (the dog) - and were joined my Anees and Batul on sunday. What a great weekend of hiking, swimming and eating!

Taking her afternoon nap on the trail.
(Hiking to Hamilton Falls)

Jeremy's the first to take a plunge into
the freezing water!

Jer, Seema and Josh take a look down the falls.

At the bottom of the falls, we had our much anticipated picnic lunch!

My little hiker : )

Jordan poses for a pic while on Peter-sitter duty.

The view at the dam.

The dam at the beginning (and end) of the hike.

This snapper bid us farewell at the end of the hike.

Almost home...

FINALLY!
We're done and Olivia can move around : )

After an eventful day - it was time to eat!

Peter agrees!

Olivia and Tanveer Auntie

Our Sunday hike was to the fire tower lookout at the top
of Stratton Ski Mountain. We were able to take the gondola lift to the top
 and then take a short 30 minute hike to the tower.  Here is the view.

At the end of the hike, before heading down
the gondola, we had a little baby photo session.
Here's Peter with a flower in his hair : )

Olivia and her Daddy.

Olivia encourages Peter to grab that flower.
Maybe she secretly thinks he'll give it to her?

No Peter! Don't go!!