Goodbye USA

The last days in Vermont were full of.......SUN!!!!!!!!!!!!
Visiting my Dad's sister Becky in her historic former stage-coach inn home in Colchester, Vermont

She has a turkey decoy in her garden
And a fox man in front of the inn's former well
The greatest wrap around porch known to man
The day before leaving Vermont, a visit from Leann, "Uncle" Craig's sister
Peter & Jeanne

Running around in the sun

Picking up cherries
Cole and Wes bringing in the sap buckets as the season is over and the sap is 'turning'
Cleaning the buckets before storing them for another year

Last evening in Vermont - dinner on the porch with Cole
Saying goodbye to our favorite cousins before hitting the road
In New Hampshire, visiting my college friend Mary at her parents' and meeting her kids! Here is Noah and Estelle in the 80 degree weather!
Estelle and Miranda get rockin'. (sorry couldn't resist the pun)
Last night, Aunt Laura arrives at Aunt Lisa's house and Estelle gets a fun bath time

Today in the incredible sun and warmth, Estelle explores around Lisa and Dan's house
Walking outside with Grammie
Flanked by aunties
An American mailbox! The lower box is for a newspaper (this is for Papa in France, to understand)
Estelle in Lisa's childhood wooden rocker which dates to 1955 or so

A visit from the REAL Estelle
Yours truly basking in Lisa's "retirement rocker" in juxtaposition to her little wooden rocker
Joan arrives from Vermont for one last hurrah and they dive into some books
The last patch of snow quickly disappearing
Mom and Estelle

The 4 sisters hit the road on a bike ride. Lisa was far ahead in the shot.... Incidentally, our other 2 sisters, the twins Mary and Martha, were in Vermont sitting watch over Mary's son Jesse, 25 years old, who had been rushed to the emergency room in the night with his APPENDIX! He went under the knife this morning and all is well. When he woke up, he said to Mary "Where is my Madeline doll?"
On the foundation of a burned out house, climbing about the chimney ruins. Laura pretends to be a-cookin'
Estelle gleefully dashes away from Uncle Dan
Is there any other way to end a trip, but with a real American dessert? Strawberry shortcake for Lisa's 50-something birthday. Delicacy prepared by cousin Emily who is also here visiting from NYC.

Vermont, Mud Season

And still lots of snow.
Estelle gets a hug from my aunt Yolande and uncle Dale

Heather and Estelle play on the bleachers at the Glover school with Aunt Darlene

Enjoying breakfast of Cheerios

Holding hands with cousin Cole in the the halls of the Glover school

A visit from my first cousins Judy and Kathy

Bob the Builder hat borrowed from her cousins is a must in the tub now.

Paul cleared out his attic and brought many toys that belonged to his girls for Heather. Estelle gets to benefit for the rest of our trip! The biggest hit is the play kitchen. Paul spent an hour and a half playing with fake food.

Lisa and Elijah

Edwin and Cole

Lisa, Paul and Me after Peanut Butter Cake!

Now mornings begin in the play kitchen

Sunday night saw a crowd of 15 at the house for pulled pork sandwiches. Before the real meal, everyone got into the spirit in the fake kitchen. Visiting were Peter and Katie and Lizzy along with Wayne, Cole and Heather.

Vermont

Connected to the internet for 5 minutes, so a few photos for the family back in France!
Estelle and Grammie read "Madeline" and tell each other 'shush'!

Estelle tries on my Vermont hat

Cousin Cole's 4th birthday party - getting into the presents!

Estelle meets her cousin Jesse for the first time ever! Jesse is my oldest nephew, born in 1983!

Estelle gets to see my college roommate Bec:

Aunt Mary babysat Estelle so I could go see nephew Addison starring as Pippin in the musical "Pippin" at my old high school! Niece Alex was also in the show. They were AMAZING! Eliza was there too and joined in the photo.

Estelle visits Aunt Mary's goats, named Peter & Paul! Also in the photo are Aunt Martha

Aunt Mary babysat Uncle Edwin's baby Elijah, who I finally got to hold since I'm not sick anymore!

Uncle Cedric reads a book to Estelle

Estelle plays around with her cousin Lillian