Singing in the car.

Austin has JUST now gotten into singing. And making up awesome songs. Songs about things like pancakes and corn on the cob.

And hey, at least he didn't eat that booger. He was probably saving room for pancakes.

Live Free or Die.

Which is what they say in New Hampshire. Which I am pretty sure is one state I would never end up in. Except for the fact that our awesome friends C and S live there now. So off we three went a few weekends ago. To New Hampshire. It's like Old Hampshire but newer. We had a MUCH needed relaxing weekend filled with lots of hiking, cheese eating, beer imbibing, Vermont farmer's market crashing, dog walking, Transformers watching, and spooky attic exploring. Good grief we love hanging out with these guys!

 Austin's newest favorite cartoon?

1984 Transformers.

Thanks C.

 C and S with their new puppy Bodhi.

He is ridiculously cute.

Ridiculously.

 Chris and I with Malise.

Where is Austin you ask?

 Being a four year old and being disagreeable.

On a tree.

Sunglasses on a dog.

It's always cute.

 This was at Quechee Gorge in Vermont.

Apparently a big part of living in New Hampshire is going over to Vermont to do stuff.

So we also went to the King Arthur's Flour Bakery (I died. I was in heaven).

And the Cabot Cheese Store. (I ate cheese, didn't poo for a week, and almost really died).

 Where in the world did he get this behavior from?!

Bodhi.

Must. Kiss. That. Face.

 I had three strokes while we were hiking along the gorge.

Swiftly moving cold water surrounded by slippery rocks being navigated by a 4 year old = a story on the 6 o'clock local news waiting to happen.

Oh dam.
NOW they tell us.

 A snack at the King Arthur's Flour Bakery?

Yes please.

 This was outside of an antiques store and it still worked!

Tetanus optional.

 Moove over. Mama needs to sample some cheese.

 Only Chris would walk UP a ski jump slope with his son.

I then had the crap scared out of me when Austin ran down the bottom half and almost broke his neck.

 Splashing around a New Hampshire stream in his shoes.

And glowing white.

Yep. He's mine.

 Dear S, these cookies have haunted my dreams since we returned to NY.

They have been sold out at my local store. Apparently EVERYONE in our area already knew how freaking delicious the lemon ones were.

 Somehow this reminded them of me...

 And on the way home?

We stopped by the Long Trail Brewery.

At 10:00 am on a Monday morning.
With a small child.

Cause that's how we roll.

 Look! Beer... stuff.

It was small, but uber efficient. Chris and I definitely have plans to go back and enjoy a beer meal at their restaurant!

Watch out New Hampshire. The Taylor's have you in their sights now.

Jump Around

Nonny and Pop gifted us with what could be the best present you can give to an active 4 year old boy and his parents. No, not a full time Nanny. A trampoline. *Angels Singing*

 There were a TON of parts.

Heavy parts.

 Chris reading instructions.

I HAD to get a picture.

 Work man, work!

 Austin was conducting an inspection as the official Taylor family Fire Marshall.

My butt was clenched so tight while he was jumping on it before the safety netting went up that I could have converted a lump of coal into an impure diamond.

 Why does Chris do this to me?

There, MUCH safer.

Thanks Nonny and Pop!

Life's a Cold Beach.

We live very close to a great state park with an even greater lake and beach area. We couldn't wait any longer for nice weather and had to play in the sand while it was still all Northeasterly and cold. Fortunately our friends are as crazy as we are.

 And... done.

 Digging in sand is a long running Taylor family tradition.

Keeping the ladies away from the frigid water.

Future policeman?

Easter Ketchup

Have you ever plugged your camera into your computer only to realize that you kind of forgot to blog about Easter? No? Me neither...

 Austin's first "real" Easter Egg hunt. We went to one at a friend's house a few years ago, but this one was at the local Fire House. With strangers.

 Run boy! Run!

 Holding a REAL Easter Bunny.

Winning.

 And there were cookies.

 Picked his mama a flower!

 First time coloring eggs.

Last year we were in a hotel room in Hungary for Easter.

The year before that he was a bit young for all of the Easter traditions.

This year, it was on like Donkey Kong.

 I had forgotten about the magic clear crayons!

 Bunny ears are always a good idea whilst dyeing eggs.

 Gramie and Grandpa got to watch Austin via Skype!

 Final products!

 Easter Morning.

The Bunny left Austin a little surprise outside of his bedroom door!

(which he found at 11:30 pm the night before and almost ruined the surprises downstairs)

 New Thomas accessories! Woot!

 This child can be bought with lollies.

 First Peep. 

This is a trait from his father. I won't even THINK about eating one of those things.

 So he, of course, loved it.

 Snuggle time with his Easter lamb.

 Easter egg hunting- AGAIN.

And while Mommy was putting the finishing touches on the Easter ham, some kite flying.

All is good.

Local

Chris and I make an effort to go to local restaurants over chain restaurants, get our milk from the local dairy farm, meats from a nearby smokehouse and butcher, and other things at local mom and pop shops. Sometimes they don't have what you need. And then I'm in the Home Depot like a zombie holding toilet seats and candy bars that I didn't come for. But we try. Like with our local garden center Hewitt's. Austin likes them because they have two cats running around that he chases down and loves on. The Home Depot doesn't have any cats.

 Austin is "soft touching" the cat.

Or healing it with his powers.

Whatever.

Tolerance.