We went out to eat at Rosie's (again, in Middlebury) after church with all the family left, and Steve Maxon thrown in for good measure. It was some good times, great fun.

The kids coloring. The service took a while, and my three went a little stir-crazy at the end.

Mom and Dad.

Miles hung out on the table for a bit.

It was all very country-chic.

The Tate crew.

Christine and Grace.

Driving back to the Lake. By Sunday we were very aware that our vacation had only a few days more, and we were feeling a little vacation desperation.

We dedicated Miles to the Lord at the church that Joel pastors for. Dad Tate did the service.

Nancy took these pictures for me- they left right after the morning service. This is the same church that we dedicated all of the other chickens at, so there was a nice sense of continuity. I love this church.

This is a picture of Steve Maxon and Josh and Lucy and Bowden out on the lake. Steve came while Dick and Nancy were still around, and he visited vigorously.

I love a man who's not afraid to hold a baby.

Josh fell asleep during the rigorous visiting.

Edwards did not.

We didn't have long to wait before more co-vacationers came to the Lake House. Dick and Nancy Beggs, and Dick's sister Sue, and Corky, of course, came out for a few days while on their whirlwind tour of the U.S.
It was funny to spend so much time with the Beggs, since we live in the same town, but never see them at home. They were good for many games and much laughing, but it was definitely a full house.

It was also rainy. With four children, two bickering dogs, and seven adults inside of one lake house, it was a crazy scene. We decided that it was a good time to go exploring, if only for the Beggs to be able to put Corky down. We stopped at a farm stand, and were given pumpkins by a nice farmer.

Then we went to the Farmer's Diner, in Middlebury. It was a local-vores dream come true.

And Jacks, too.

We passed some people kayaking down the falls on our way out of the diner's parking lot, and decided to get a better view. We also wanted to find a place that we'd heard about, but never been to visit, and now never will, since it closed down.

Jack was angry about leaving the bridge, but it made me nervous.

We found a better vantage point, and the kayaks came down again.

It was very fun...a nice rainy day full of adventure.

This may not be that interesting to you. One week after we arrived in Vermont, we drove back up to Burlington to take Lisa to the airport. We had to say goodbye to John, too, as he was leaving for Georgia a little after we drove off. We decided to go up to St. Albans, about a half-hour away, after we dropped Lisa off.
We got into St. Albans and went to see if our favorite sandwich place was open- it used to be called Kartulas, but is now the Celestial Cafe...the menu is the same, and the Spinach Melt with garlic mayonnaise on a wheat bagel was so good, I'd eat it every day. Above is Josh's favorite, the Turkey Reuben. So. So. Delicious.

Jack just got one with cream cheese. This was Jack's second time to St. Albans, if you remember. If you don't, here.

We left the big two at the Lake House with Grandma and Grandpa and three cousins- those brave souls had five chickens to themselves for most of the day- and so they missed a trip to Hudak Farms.

I loved going back to St. Albans and Burlington and seeing all of my favorite things. Hudak has excellent finds three seasons out of the year.

Of course, like all of Vermont, it has little to offer for the six months that Winter takes hold. (Just kidding, people.)

I got Josh some beets. Mom Tate cooked them up for him and he devoured them. Josh loves him some beets.

We drove back up to Burlington and walked around Church Street and the surrounding area. We passed this church on our way to the Vermont Pub and Brewery.

We let Jack pick out a pumpkin at Hudak, and it came with us everywhere we went after.

I got an outstanding sampler of Vermont cheeses. It came with a sliced apple, but Jack took that as his recompense for being made to sit in a restaurant.

Oh, no! Sideways cheese. Even at that angle, it still makes me hungry.

The worst job in the world, I think. He probably likes it. I like that he's doing it, because these spires are pretty completely absent on the West Coast.

We made our way home in time to have dinner with Joel and Christine as they came to pick up their spawn. Our vacation felt a lot like this- feast or famine. Both were welcome.

While we had the other Tate kids, we made the most of our Uncle and Aunt time. We went to eat at the pizza place that Job works at and went bowling with everyone but Obie, who went home with Grandma and Grandpa, and Elisabeth, who went home with some friends to spend the night. Then we went and got ice cream at the scurfiest Stewarts ever.

Bowden and Jack got donuts instead of ice cream.

I got a milk shake- it was just a little gross- and some SUPER DELICIOUS CIDER DONUTS that were not gross at all. I asked Uncle John to get some eggnog for Bowden, because he loves that stuff...
It was fun. We apologized to the clerk for showing up and supporting his business, and then we were on our way. John and Lisa were leaving the next day, and our nighttime games of spades would be ending.

I think that I'll toss a little Miles and Isai in with the vacation mix. Isai is three months old, and Miles is four months old- exactly one month apart, these two.

They liked to look at each other, and attempted to explore each other's faces with their hands, which was not really very nice for whoever was being explored.

Two sweet little men. They look a little alike in profile, but from straight on, they could be unrelated.

I kept trying to get a picture of their little feet together, especially the way that they would curl their toes around each other. I actually devoted more energy and time to it than I should have...but they were both happy, so no harm was done. As Rosie said, "I can see why it might seem like a good picture, but it doesn't really translate."

No, but really, could I avoid posting it?

We went on a walk in Vermont, in October. Now, I know that this is taking me longer than it should to post. Our computer has been acting up, but I also have been a little busy.
I would skip all of our vacation, but it was so dear to me- it was a really wonderful two weeks, and I would hate to miss posting any of it here.
Also, the further we get from it, the better it is to look at our adventures and appreciate the time we spent with some of our favorite people.
These pictures are from the first week, when Lisa and John were still with us. The other Tate chickens were at the Lake House, and we were enjoying having eight children, still. We took Edwards on this walk. He is a good dog to walk.

It was cold. Here in Idyllwild, now, it's been wonderfully warm, and we haven't had to bundle up, yet. We didn't mind the cold, though.
The kids walking through the leaf litter.
We made our way to Munger Brook, and tried to keep everyone mostly dry.
Elisabeth and the JET-dog.
Bowden and Lucy took an explore down the brook.

Elisabeth, good eldest cousin that she is, went to help our Lucy Gates find her way back.

Jack by the water.

Lucy Gates, a little tired of walking.

Lucy gates, Lucy Joy, and Bowden.

We found the field that belongs, somehow, to the Munger Farm, and Bowden hid amongst the grasses, still green and high from summer.

Lucy- monkey-see, monkey-do.

When we made this trip out years before, my mother named this tree the "Brother Tree" because she took a picture of Job and Josh near it. We continued the tradition.

Jack also hid...

...and we discovered in his place a roaring dinosaur.

Josh would nap anywhere.

Josh and Edwards. Edwards would not let Josh nap in peace.

Leaves everywhere. One would have thought that it was Fall.

My Jack, too tired to walk back on his own.

Asking to be held, with hand in pocket.

Happy Thanksgiving, although this has nothing to do with the holiday, but much to do with the sentiment.

I know that maybe one of you is wondering why I haven't been posting more.
I've been distracted.
Rosie brought her two children up to my house for the week, and we have been having a wonderful time.

I went down to my mom's house the weekend before last to meet my new nephew...I knew Rosie would be coming up this week, but I couldn't wait. He's adorable in picture, but even more so in person. I don't think that Miles and Isai could look any different from each other, though.

I have to take a short break from my vacation posting to tell you all that Miles Bradley, seventeen-week-old, 4 months old tomorrow, rolled over from his front to his back last night.
He's really very strong on his tummy, although I am not very good at giving him enough time on his stomach...he doesn't seem to need it.

Jack, after we all watched Miles roll over and cheered, persisted in showing me that he also could rool from HIS front to HIS back. He doesn't remember when we cheered his rolling, less than two years ago!

Joel and Christine had a retreat to go on, so we got to help Grandma and Grandpa Tate watch their other four grandchildren. Josh built a bonfire on the beach.





Josh told a story.


Josh wanted to see the fire from the boat.






We roasted marshmallows, but the fire was very hot.









John hit rocks in the water.

We were invited, while on our trip, to eat a meal with the Peck Family- a very Vermont meal, with all kinds of wonderful and delicious foods grown in their garden and raised with their hands. We get to have some of the Peck kids come and work on staff, and it's great to have them...we knew when they left this summer that we would see them in October, so it made their leaving less bothersome. My chickens love this family, all the kids who play with them, and all of the older kids who humor their attentions.

I was looking forward to a delicious meal and good conversation, and I got both. We watched a football game and enjoyed the company.

The Peck kids are great with the camera! Three of theirs and three of mine...there are eight Peck children, so this is a small sample.



I never got a picture of shaggy-headed Nathanael, or of Mr. Peck, but they were there in full affect.

Jack slept through most of the visit, but it was a highlight of our time in Vermont, nonetheless. Or maybe because he slept. He's very sweet when he's asleep.

Baby Miles is nice to hold, even when he's drooling or spitting up.

On our first Sunday, all of us Tates were gathered- except Carolyn. We had to document this with some group shots- even Edwards got in them. Lisa took the pictures with about four or five cameras. Here are the results of the shoot. Gathering.

Almost there.

We have this picture of all of the Tate kids- but Jack- who were born at the time on Rock Dundar, and there was a common goal this vacation of trying to recreate that moment. The problem being that the first picture was spontaneous, and less posed, and we never had that moment with all of the kids. We had plenty of good times, but not so many picturesque ones.

Still, we tried and tried to get a good shot of all eight of them. I love these pictures...I love Elisabeth holding Miles. I like how Jack decided to not enjoy it. I love how Bowden and Lucy Joy stood next to each other, and I like how Lucy Gates covered her face when he father decided to try to get everyone happy by dancing for them.

I keep getting told that I have a big family...which seems strange. My grandparents had as many children as you see here, and still, looking at this picture, it doesn't seem to bee so many.

Gracie and Lucy Gates, posing nicely, while Obie tries to run away and Jack just yells.

Poor cranky baby.

These two are less than six months apart.

This is when Josh started to dance. Jack was momentarily distracted from his fit throwing. Lucy looks...shocked and appalled.

She warmed up, but Jack cooled to the whole thing. It didn't give us the shot we hoped for, but it is still nice to see all the kids together- and maybe someone else got a better angle.

Job often demands some action shots from the children. The funny thing is, they're active all the time. The posing just gets them together. Obie wouldn't run, but the other six that could did.

Jack is, how-you-say, not so fast.

"Now jump."

Jack was still building up to it...although I don't think that he can get his feet off the ground by jumping. By falling, tripping, or just walking, yes, but not jumping. It doesn't do a thing for him. (And lest you forget, us Paulson girls tend to be earthbound.)

We moved inside to show that we really are a churched people.

Will Jack be a preaching super-star like his fore-fathers?

Yet another Tate picture, although Lucy disappears in the next shot.

How I love them!

We had a hard time getting all of the Tate grand-children- so far- in one picture in the church. They were not all so happy about it.

Someone tried to amuse them by going under the bench, which worked for most.

So we moved, but I'm sure one of the other cameras got a better shot.

My three big ones, not so big still.

There they are! The grandparents and all of their children.

This is my husband. MY Tate.

John is one of my favorite people, and I love him dearly. (I would never write that he isn't photogenic- only meaning that he is much better looking than these pictures tell.)
(Not that I care. After all, I still like Job.)



(Totally J/K, guys. I'm a jerk.)

Brother Job texted his sweetheart, although we didn't know it was his sweetheart taking him away from us.

Not everyone is as blessed as I am when it comes to in-laws. I am so glad to be able to call these two Mom and Dad.

Joel and Christine were smoochin' it up- ALL THE TIME. One would think that are still in love with each other after all these years and all those chirrens. I tried to take a picture of it to remember, since it was such a dominant feature of our interactions with them, but they couldn't quite keep a straight face. They're so cute.

Joel, the oldest Tate boy, with his soon-to-be-trimmed beard.

Then again, maybe Dad Tate is the oldest Tate boy. Joel is still college age in my head, you know.

Here I am. I was there, too.

I found these treasures on the children's pew after church the first Sunday. The Lake House was littered with all manner of strange and wonderful drawings and letters...even one to the President. I hate throwing them away.

We live in the middle of nowhere, up here on our hill, but we are not country-folk. The evidence lies in the deep and insatiable interest my children had of the chickens next to the Chittenden Church.

I had a hard time pulling them away...there were a lot of chickens, and the dead one on the roof of the hen house did not diminish the happiness of my children or the chickens.

Jack, especially was fascinated. The next week he managed to get himself into the chicken's fence, and was rescued by his Uncle Joel, smeared with chicken droppings and crying, "Chicken bite mine finger!"

We spent a lot of time at the Lake House the first few days. It was so good to be around Tate family and just relax and have nothing to do that those first days crept by beautifully, and extended our vacation, at least it felt extended. There is nothing better than being with people you love in a place you love, and the first week we were surrounded by some of our favorite people in one of our favorite places. It was idyllic.



Jack fell asleep leaning on the ottoman during one of our good talks, and we captured the image before putting him in a less accident-likely position.

One of my favorite things about this vacation was my children's opportunities to get to know their cousins and Aunt and Uncles. My chickens have been blessed, as I am, with an amazing family- the Tates, especially, are a unique group of people, and we are lucky enough to call them FAMILY.

We spent enough time with Joel and Christine's family to get past the uncomfortably polite interactions and see our nieces and nephews in their natural element. Much of that was thanks to the Eastern Tate's for driving all the way to the Lake House fairly soon after we arrived in Vermont, and coming more often than I could have hoped. They also opened their house to us, and we made a few visits out to their digs. My kids love their cousins...Lucy sings those songs the girls were learning every day, (well, part of those songs...)
They loved their Uncles and Aunt- and it would be worth much more than we paid this trip to have them understand what it is we love about Vermont and our folks there. I loved, too, getting to know my nieces and nephews, and I regret that we don't get to be a bigger part of their lives.

(Oh. And I loved eating eclair squares. Four times in one night.)

I wish Lisa could be with us all of the time. This trip was better because she was there!

Miles was introduced, and loved, and it was wonderful. These are the things I like best about Vermont.

Uncle John came up from Georgia to be with us on our vacation. He was a willing Miles-holder, and we had a better time because he was there.

Miles had first-time introductions to a lot of his Tate family, and he got along with all of them. Just so you know, Miles is not contentious.

Vacation pictures to follow- enough to make you tired of them, but they're coming.

I know, I know. It's been a long time. I am still trying to get used to life here in un-vacation, and yet life continues...Lucy played her last soccer game of the season on Friday, and Next week id the playoffs and championship games for Bowden's league. Our good friends, the Whites, invited us over for a wonderful breakfast at their house- really wonderful because it was delicious, and even more wonderful than that because we have no food in the house being away for two weeks.
Halloween was yesterday, and the kids had their costumes all picked out. The ninja costume was found at a ninety-nine cent shop two years ago. The princess outfit is the same as last year, too. Only Jack the Dragon had a new costume- Old Navy, 15 dollars.

This was the only time Bowden wore his entire outfit. The mask bothered him too much, and the sword got in his way. By the end of the night, he looked a bit like he was wearing pajamas.

We dressed the baby up, and then Lucy and Jack had to hold him.

Jack was a very thoughtful dragon. Peace-loving, even.

Happily, my mother came up to help and watch the festivities, and it made all the difference.
The chickens talked Nanny into dressing up. We all helped with her make-up.

The town has an annual "parade" that begins up at the top of North Circle and continues right into town. It's a little bit crowded normally, but since Halloween fell on a Saturday this year, a lot of people from off the mountain came up to enjoy an Idyllwild Halloween. We don't go door to door up here, we just go to the businesses on the way down the parade route, but the lines were so long that the kids didn't have much patience waiting...which means that we have a rather manageable amount of candy this year!

Jack fell asleep in the car, and stayed asleep, for most of the parade. He awoke to a pumpkin bag full of goodies, and proceeded to throw a fit about not having all of them at once. Good thing he can't really breathe fire.

The flood of people around the best candy spot- Idyllwild Heating.

Three adults meant that there were three pairs of arms to hold Miles. It was a nice time until Miles lost his pacifier and wanted to nurse. I then left the other three kids with Josh and my mom and hurried down the street to the Whites and their Inn. I had trouble reconnecting with everyone, but eventually we all came together at the carnival.

While I was feeding the baby, my mom had Josh take a picture of herself and the kids with this dog. It was dressed as a baby. Dogs in strollers do not inspire admiration in me, however.

The best booth at the carnival was the "Needle-in-the-Haystack" game in which you can search for a small toy hidden in the hay. A majority of our tickets went to this.

Josh held the baby while Nanny took the kids to the bounce house. They had TWO this year!

It was a nice night, but more tiring than usual owing to our recent return and the influx of so many tourists, but we were home by 7 and the kids were in bed at a pretty normal hour, so the mayhem ended early.

Miles is three months old!

And we are in Vermont!

We love to hold baby Miles. Everyone needs a turn, and when it comes, it is great fun. He puts up with much more than poor Jack did at his age, and is thereby more fun.

We love this baby. If he is the end, at least he's a good note.

This is my friend Marin's younger daughter, Emmy. She's a sweet girl, and a perfect little two-year-old. She and Jack have a strained relationship, but she LOVES Miles. For some reason, there are not as many infants around Idyllwild as there were with Jack and Lucy, so Miles is quite the specimen. I spend a lot of time defending him at soccer games from little hands and faces.

Emmy is pretty good about it, but there are some children who I have caught trying to pick him up, after I have told them they can't. (Obviously. Who gives permission to kindergartners to pick up their babies?) Miles takes it in stride, without much fussing even, but I think he's being exposed to a lot of germs early...maybe it's a good thing.

The many faces of Miles...at 12 weeks old.

He likes to talk to me...mostly making phlegmy noises and saying, "goo." He's beginning to roll onto his side, and definitely looks for me when he hears my voice elsewhere, but he likes all faces at this point, and will reward whoever notices him- and some who don't- with a smile.