Happy Birthday, Mom...

This past Columbus Day weekend was spent with the entire family in Stowe, Vermont. The occasion was Mom's 70th birthday. All the kids and grandkids met at the Smugglers Notch ski resort for three and half days of fun and relaxation. We had wonderful accommodations with a spectacular view of the mountains. The fall foliage wasn't as vivid as it could have been do to recent drought conditions in the Northeast but there was some color and we appreciated what was available.

For me, the highlights of the weekend were the times when I got to see all the cousins playing together. If you asked the kids they would probably say the same or, they might say the highlight was going in the hot tub. None the less, we all have a new set of memories to add to the old ones and look forward to when we can create more in the future. The new morning ritual for Uncle Ray and the kids.


Hannah, Abby and Maddie showing off their aquatic skills.


Brian loved spending time with all his cousins...even if they were mostly girls!


Our lodge at Smugglers Notch.


Mom and Dad at the Ben & Jerry's ice cream tour.


Rock climbing at the top of Stowe Mountain Ski area.


Clouds moving down the mountain seen from our balcony.


Sunset the last night at Smugglers.