The Vermont Olympics, Opening Ceremonies

Had my postings been more timely, presenting our trip to New England simultaneously with the Vancouver events would have made sense. But, internet connections (lack thereof) and neverending illnesses prevailed. Consider it a time-zone delay of 2 weeks!
Thus, without further ado, The Vermont Olympics, or, the V.O.
Like any good broadcast, we like to string you along, so we'll be covering one "event" per post.

Today's Event: Giant (Cousins) Slalom
Participant Requirements:

• Be a Giant Cousin - i.e. a LOT bigger/older than Estelle & Léna,
  
• Still be a first cousin,
  
• Be someone whose diapers Julie has changed

Gold Medal: Cousin Jesse, for making the most of a short visit during a blizzard (inside him and out!)
Honorable Mention Gold Medal: Cousin Anna, for single-handedly entertaining jetlagged Estelle nonstop for almost 48 hours and never wavering a bit:


Silver Medal: Cousin Lillian, who, on a quick ski weekend home from Harvard, trekked up to Glover to spend a few hours being attacked by Estelle:
And having her hair done:And reading to Léna:
Honorable Mention Silver Medal: Cousin Addison, for coming in a crazy blizzard to see his cousins:
Bronze Medal Tie-Breakers: Cousins Chelsea, Lauren, Katie & Lizzie, who all visited Estelle & Léna in Glover and played games, read books, got climbed on, had their hand combed and brushed over and over and over, went sliding, played with dolls, and God knows what else while I was busy a. talking with siblings b. stuffing my face or perhaps c. talking with siblings or finally d. stuffing my face.
The photo above of Lauren & Estelle is my favorite of the entire trip. It makes all the travel hassle worth it, and reminds me why in the heck I even do it.
Below: Candyland. Doesn't get any sweeter than that.

Above: Lauren at the top of the hill takes Estelle for a spin. Below, Chelsea reads Léna a favorite before nap
Cousins Katie and Lizzy hammed it up with the girls for over 2 hours straight one Sunday lunch. So fun!Lizzy gets mauled by 3 little girlsKatie obeys orders to "lie down and sleep with the baby doll!"Seeing as she was recovering from pneumonia, she was probably happy for the "rest".Honorable Bronze: Cousin Tyler, for keeping his house intact (barely) after a 75-minute visit with Estelle & Léna.
Aimee looks on wondering about the pot and stand behind this gymnastic event about to go south.

Vermont "Big" cousins we missed: Matthew, off interviewing at Tufts. Alexandra, sunbathing in Florida. Calvin, trying his luck in Seattle. Eliza, enjoying sunny San Diego. And all our other big cousins that we don't see as much: Caitrin (a mommy herself!), Sara, Emily and the Massachusetts crowd: Conor, Maura, and Rachel. Hope to see them this summer!