New Hampshire Vacation - 2013

I posted about our first day of vacation here... but I didn't come back to finish, so here I am. 
  I'll let most of the pictures speak for themselves.  It was gorgeous!  The mountain views were beautiful and breath taking.  I was constantly in awe of the beauty He has created.    Driving through the vast mountain-scape's I felt so insignificant compared to how grand the mountains are.  They're so majestic and beautiful.  The pictures don't do them justice and barely capture their beauty.   Olivia had a blast and it was so fun watching her have fun.    We drove up Thursday, checked in and walked around the center of the town we were staying in.  They have a bunch of little shops and a train station which Olivia loved.  

  Friday morning we went to breakfast, shopped, drove around to take in the scenery and took Olivia on a horse drawn sleigh ride.  She was in heaven!  

   

 

  Saturday we decided to take a ride down the Kancamangus Highway.  Bad idea.  I've been on this road before so I figured no big deal..... 45 minutes into our drive down this one road and we had no cell phone service, the GPS couldn't locate us and there were moose, deer and bear crossing signs every few miles.  Thank God Olivia was asleep so the ride was less stressful and I could concentrate.  This road literally goes through, up and over a mountain.  At one point, when my anxiety was at its peak I turn a corner to see a warning sign for a steep incline ahead paired with a sign saying "you're at 3000 feet elevation" - GREAT!  We finally made it to the town we were heading to and the first thing we asked a local was directions for another way out!  We got another route, took us 2 hours, but it was so worth it.   

        After lunch we took Olivia to the local children's museum which was a blast.  We practically had the place to ourselves!  Then we spent more time in town.    

  

    Sunday was our last day.  We woke up to snow which was beautiful.  The road we were staying on was plowed and clean but once we got to the main route to leave New Hampshire it was awful.  The road is 75 miles long and we drove 13 miles in 45 minutes.  It was snowing so heavily that visibility was low and the roads were slippery and dangerous.  We stopped at the first hotel we saw and checked in.  We made the most of being snowed in.  My husband walked to the general store across the street, bought a sled and we took Olivia sledding which she loved!  Made for a good nap and a solid nights sleep.  Monday morning, we headed home and back to reality.  

 

             

White Mountain Vacation Day 1

Day 1 - down. We got an early start heading out this morning to make the 4 hour drive. Car was packed, stopped for coffee and even at the mail box for a last minute drop before leaving. Hop on the highway and we're cruising right along. Olivia's in the backseat singing her favorite 'hallelujah' song and my husband and I are chatting away.

Then he says it.

"I bet you're excited to use your new camera and take a bunch of pictures!"

Cue me freaking the freak out! I immediately took the next exit as my husband sat there wondering what the heck I was doing!

I forgot my camera.

So, we turned around and made the 30 minute drive back home. When we pulled in the driveway Olivia exclaims 'yay! Vacation! We're here!' Haha, not so much kid.

Joe runs in the house and grabs the camera. Lets try this again!

I'm glad to say that 4 hours and 30 minutes later, we made it safe and sound with our camera in hand.

Vacation wouldn't be vacation without a few mishaps!

White Mountains here we come!

My dear husband turned 30 on Monday and in celebration of his birthday our little family is taking a much needed mini-vacation to the gorgeous White Mountains in New Hampshire.

This is our first vacation since I got m new camera and I can not wait to try it out in the most beautiful natural light.

We don't have much planned other than enjoying each others company, taking in the sights and maybe taking a ride up Mount Washington on their snow coach (a van with massive bulldozer tires).

We're staying at a little resort that's family owned and operated. One thing in looking forward to the most is their weekly Saturday night bonfires and marshmallow roast. It just sounds so perfect to do in the snowy mountains!

I'll be back sometime next week with (hopefully) some great pictures to share!

 

 

The epic horse and carriage ride...

Almost 2 months later and my daughter is still talking about the "neigh (horse) & cawwiage (carriage) ride with Mommy, Daddy and YaYa (Olivia)"

While on our annual summer vacation in Old Orchard Beach, Maine on a warm Thursday night we were wandering the streets of the main pier at the beach and across the way, Olivia spotted the huge white horse!  She loves animals with a passion so we walked right over to visit him, John was his name.

John is a big white draft horse who is sweet as can be.  We "oooh'd and aaah'd" over him.  Pet him for a few and then went on our way.  Joe saw both of our excitement over the horse and carriage ride so while Olivia and I were checking out some shops he disappeared.  A few minutes later he hurried us back outside where the carriage was waiting for us!  He surprised us with our very first horse and carriage ride.
 

It was perfect. 

The weather was gorgeous.  

Olivia was so excited and happy and kept telling us that we were on!a!carriage!ride! 

The ride lasted about a half hour.  We toured the quiet neighborhood that's hidden between the busy pier at the beach.  We could smell the salt water and feel the mist from the sea.  It really was just a perfect end to our awesome vacation.

Almost 2 months later, in the dark of Olivia's bedroom last night, is the most amazing part.  I could sense that she was almost asleep as her breathing became steady and all of a sudden she jumped up onto her knees and exclaimed...

"Mommy!  Beach, Daddy, Mommy, YaYa neigh cawwiage ride!" 

These are the things my husband and I live for.  The memories we make with her.  The little things that she remembers and loves to talk about.  Despite the trying times, the discipline and the stress, these are the moments we love the most!

 

Back from Vaca.... BOO

I blog at work....

SHH, don't tell anyone because I'll probably get into trouble

but here is the only place where I can gather my thoughts enough to actually make any sense.

Last week my husband and I were both on vacation from work, hence, no blogging.

But, now I'm back (BOO) and not rested but what can you do, gotta make the money honey.

Lets talk about the vacation, shall we? 

Olivia got one heck of an attitude adjustment last week... in the WRONG direction!

How did my 16 month old cutie pie turn into a pubescent 13 year old girl overnight? 

I really don't know where she got her attitude but I wish she'd put it back...

at least until she's old enough to reason with!

She's super funny though. 

Seriously. 

She announces when she's doing wrong by saying "no no no"

all while smiling brightly at you and touching something she shouldn't be...

like the toilet, plugs etc. 

Then, when I walk over to redirect her, she runs away...

shrieking at the thought of being chased. 

So what does any fun Mama do? 

Chase her around the house saying "I'm gonna get you!"

and she squeals with laughter until she's hiccuping from laughing so hard. 


Her silly face!



 

She's also very cuddly and lovey dovey at the same time. 

She's generous with her hugs and kisses and she's such a sweet little girl.

During my week off, I really saw her personality blossom.  She's a feisty little thing with a stubborn mind of her own and now that she knows she has free will, there's no reining her in!

....if 16 months is difficult, I can only imagine my little munchkin at 13 years old!