Shelburne Farms, Vermont

Nursing Piglets, Shelburne Farms

Growing up in Vermont, I couldn't wait to leave. I hated the rainy, cloudy state (Vermont averages 80-days of sun per year) and the long winters. When Matt took me away from Vermont five years ago, I kissed it goodbye and said, "good riddance!"

Looking back, I really took the state for granted. I was too young and immature to realize that Vermont is a great place to raise a family. From downhill and cross-country skiing, to hiking, camping, water sports on Lake Champlain, apple picking and leaf peeping in the Fall, to farmer's markets (I was pleased to see that many Vermonters now encourage "buy local" and the state is "greener" than ever), bike paths galore, arts and so on, the state has a lot to offer. Like Shelburne Farms, for instance.


Olivia milking a cow

Shelburne Farms is a great place to spend the day with the family. Children of all ages can run around the children's farmyard. So much to see: Hens, bunnies, goats/kids (see Lila below), sheep, pigs/piglets, riding toy tractors (see Cyprien), a reading room, and so much more. We've been twice since Olivia was born and each time, we saw and did something different. The kids had to be practically dragged out of the farm. I highly recommend a visit when you're in Vermont.

Cyprien riding away on a tractor

While I still don't miss the long winters, clouds and rain, I have started to wonder if I could, someday, make Vermont my home once again...

Horse Camp

Olivia and her cousin, Cyprien, attended horse camp for two mornings last week in Colchester, VT. There, they brushed the horses, helped with chores, did art projects and, finally, rode a horse! Olivia really enjoyed her time there and, each afternoon, when I came to pick her up, she asked to stay longer. We're so thankful to Aunt Sarah for suggesting horse camp. It was a great way for the cousins to re-bond after a year apart!

Yes, Girls Can Fish Too!

Matt took Olivia fishing on Lake DeVenoge in Highland Lake, NY a couple of weeks ago. Here, she caught her first fish (look closly and you'll see it). She loved every second of it and can't wait to do it again. Starting at age three, she's proving to everyone that dads can fish with their daughters' too!