Santa's Village/Storyland '13

We're back from North Conway after a great weekend....the weathermen in NE are getting an early start in screwing up their weather forecast/lying/not being held accountable. Friday was supposed to be some on and off rain (it poured all day) and Saturday was supposed to be a gorgeous, bright fall day (it rained most of the day). But we went, on Saturday, from our rented place on Kearsage Rd in North Conway up to Santa's Village, without doubt the only 'theme park' that Jard GOldsmith actually likes.

The kids are finally old enough (Maira included) to enjoy most--if not all--of the rides. The favorites were, once again, the ferris wheel and the reindeer carousel. I am partial to Donner's Doe Nuts (homemade little donuts) and the coffee there. Both Callum and Jackson bought new stuffed reindeers (cuz Callum only has 9 stuffed reindeer and needs more) and Maira bought a beautiful purple horse. MY favorite ride, undoubtedly, was the bumper cars. Legit.

The house in North Conway was a great old house that was en route to being completely remodeled. My favorite parts of these trips, since I am not a 'theme park/crowd' person, involves merely hanging out around the house and visiting with everyone. Although it would be great if Papa and Grammy could get in on this action sometime, as they were missed.  Bob and I played some cribbage on Friday night after the kids were all in bed and everyone else was on one of their ipods or iphones or ithings. We had a great beef stew on Saturday night, and Anthony, myself, and Amanda enjoyed some Halloween Ale/boxwine. I called Joanne JoJo and she liked that.

On Sunday we went to Storyland, along with 91% of the rest of the people that were in NH that weekend....haha. The Polar Coaster and Bamboo Shoots continue to be the favorites at Storyland, but Maira and Jackson really loved taking the 'coach' to Cinderella's castle! Callum, since he had already spent lots of time with Auntie KK that weekend and thus didnt want to spend time with any other princesses (ZING!) asked if we could do something else, so we went on the antique German merry go round and the pirate ship!

Later, at home, all the girls went to the outlets or whatever, Upbob watched some football, and Uncle Anthony, me, and the kids hung out outside and played a REAL FOOTBALL GAME (in the words of Callum) before walking across the street and down the driveway for Mt Cranmore and doing some exploring of a little rocky brook and then moving on to see some of the mountain activities.

I took a fantastic run (I love running up there because it is someplace new and beautiful to explore) and found some neat roads (Hurricane Mtn rd for example) and some cool trails (like an AMC trail off Hurricane Mtn Rd that leads to a firetower!). I jumped on that trail for a bit, came across a foursome smoking the devil's lettuce in the woods, and then turned around for the house.

Santa even visited the house where we stayed, bringing all the kids an early gift in the form of a STUFFY (a stuffed animal with lots of poquets to store other things). Callum and Jackson got a puppy....and Maira got a bumblebee!!!

Due to work and coaching schedules, we left around seven on Sunday to come home. We are all very very tired after going non-stop for three days, but it was worth it.

My favorite part, without doubt, was just seeing the three cousins together, having a ball with each other (sometimes too much of a ball, since they loved to run all over the house). So I tried to get them outside and spend as much time as I could with them--especially since I dont get to see my nephew that often. We played lots of soccer (since Jackson is on the Cheetahs and Callum is on...um....Village Market....) and football and had tons of running races around the yard! Jackson introduced the word "nodder" to us (as in YOU'RE IT!!! YOU'RE A NODDER!!!!!!!) before getting you to chase him around). Callum and Jackson were inseparable and are good buddies and that makes us happy. Now we look forward to the arrival of baby_________ in November!(

HELLLLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The boys picked these flowers for their respective moms and grandmoms.....

The house where we stayed....the attached barn in the back had a fooseball and airhockey table...as well as some dart board stuff....Anthony, how come we never played dyarts??? I love dyarts!!!
Also, a nice farmer's porch on the front. You could sit there, as I did with rojo vino, and look DIRECTLY at Cranmore. Lovely view, even!

Excellent!

Three little kids at Storyland......Callum was in,, as Maira said, the face of "Huppy Duppy." This has not gotten less funny in the 48 hours since....

This one was posted so you could see us on the Bamboo shoots AND some Jay and Thaim could make fun of my hyat. Also, Nannie bought us an ornament with a picture of us coming down the big hill at the end (you know they take your pic on the way down and stuff??). The RAW FEAR in my son's eyes is one of the most priceless things I have ever seen. He is DEFINITELY my son!!! Hilarious!!

Sally tried to get a shot of us coming down, but our cam. suques.

Hanging out at Storyland with our five strollers and two wheelchairs and three Nepalese Sherpas...lol. But ISNT THIS A NICE PIC???????? (said like an old Jewish nana) Maira loved all the glitter on Nannie's jacket/shirt thing....

Two of Maira's favorite things from the weekend: Eating peanut butter crackers #shadesofMeeMee and sitting next to 'Fancy' (the name Maira has given to the baby in my sister's womb).