What a Saturday

Last Saturday was probably the best day of Isabel's life. It started at the farmer's market, where Maegen and I were signing up for our beef share through the makers of the best blue cheese on the planet. She met all sorts of kids and people. Next we moved down to the dog park where she met up with her cousin Stella, and they partied. Then we went out to James and Jill's in the mountains where she played well into the night with Sophia and the new puppy Strummer.

Farewell!

It is with great pleasure that I announce the sale of our beloved mailbox. Today, for just $20, some lucky person became the new owner of this glorious piece. They came by, packed it in their car, and left the cash in our new, much less ornate mailbox, all while Jay and I were at work.

I am also very delighted to say, that the lace curtains have also moved on to a new home. Well, truthfully, they are in a trash bag in a closet, but perhaps they will find new owners as well. It was quite a process to hem, iron, and hang the new ones, but well worth the effort.

We are still looking for takers on the multi-unit bird condo. Someone was supposed to take that today too, but never showed up. So, if you are interested please let us know.

Welcome Ellery

Welcome Ellery Kate Maupin to the world! Congrat's to Erin, Dean, and the whole Souder family. Video here.

BBQ bliss

Shannon, Benjamin, and I were chosen by the local weekly newspaper to attend an all you can eat BBQ event at Nectars. I'm embarrassed to tell you how much we ate, but here's a sampling of what we tried...pulled pork, chicken, and beef sliders, bbq chicken, ribs, potato salad, macaroni salad, coleslaw, cornbread, and my all time favorite- fried pickles! We had a blast and ate way too much. Here's the photo they took of us and posted on their website. Thankfully, the photographer promised he wouldn't snap action shots of us with ribs in hand.

Laura's Wedding

My cousin Laura was married Saturday to a great guy named Jerry. It was a beautiful ceremony and a raging reception at the Long Wharf in Boston with a rockin' band. It was great to catch up with family. Thanks Laura and Jerry for having us and Tony and Mary Lou for hosting .

Road Trip

Isabel went on her first road trip this weekend. She and I drove down to Connecticut together where she got to spend a few days with her cousin Buddy. We then headed to Marshfield Mass. where she experienced the beach for the first time, as well as made friends with two of the biggest dogs around (Jake-a great dane with legs as long as Jays, and Royal-a 100 lb. american bulldog). On Saturday, she tried out city life in Boston and met two new boxer friends... Althea and Doser (thanks Alex and Kady for watching her!) She adapted well to the beach, even when a wave crept up and got her, but she couldn't quite figure out city life. With no grass in sight, she was confused about where the bathroom was. Apparently she got to play guitar hero during her sleepover with Althea and Doser...I'm bummed I didn't get to see that. All in all, she did great and had a blast.

We'll miss you Tommy

Here's to an amazing father, husband, and brother's father-in-law. We'll miss you Tommy.

Sleep over

Isabel slept over Sophia's house this weekend. I think it was a non-stop party for two days. Thanks James and Jill for watching her.

Isabel meets Mona

Benny got a 10 week old Olde English Bulldog named Mona three days ago. She is a little sweat heart. Isabel came over to meet her and they partied. Check out there matching purple collars.

Beer and Cheese tasting

We hosted a beer and cheese tasting at our house last night as part of a Good Idea Society meeting. Details if you are interested: http://goodideasociety.blogspot.com/2008/04/meeting-19-recap.html

Spring is not all bad in Vermont

We've been complaining a lot about spring up here. Sunday was everything that's good about spring in Vermont - spring riding. It was very sunny, 50+ degrees, the riding was great, and then some beer and BBQ in the lot. Oh, and JD cheated on Okemo and made a trip to Stowe. Good times.

Dr. Isabel - therapy dog

Isabel went to work with Maegen and she played with some of her clients - since then, we've been calling her Dr. Isabel. Below are some sunset pics from Thursday night.

The Yard

The yard showed itself for the first time this week as the snow finally melted. Not a blade of grass in sight, we really have our work cut out. Maegen is searching for a HGTV show that will give us a landscaping makeover.

Counsin Fest Spring '08

Cousin Fest (Spring '08 edition) landed in Burlington this weekend. Matt Tedeschi, Jerry, and all three Donadio girls, along with my brother, Kelly, and Buddy were on-site (The Hazeltons were missed). My horoscope from yesterday in the Burlington Free Press summed the sediment of the weekend up nice:
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Sometimes you look at a family member and wonder, If we weren't related, would we be friends? Today, the answer is, absolutely, yes. You're not only getting along, you're having fun.

Highlights of the weekend include Isabel and Buddy getting long great and having a blast, great meals at Flatbread and Penny Cluse, and Karaoke at JPs. And for your viewing pleasure below are two Karaoke videos, one of Erica rocking out to Enter Sandman, and the other with all cousins (expect Matt who had to video it, plus random mustache guy) singing Sweet Caroline.

Isabel turns 3 months (or 13 weeks)

Isabel turned 3 months today. Here's a video of her being a puppy. If you are a stuffed bunny in our home - you're a marked man.

Easter at the Roesch's

After sunrise mass, we feasted. Thanks for Benjamin and Shannon for hosting.

Sunrise mass

It's officially a tradition, we did it last year and we plan on continuing - Sunrise mass at the top of Mt. Mansfield (Stowe). Wake up at 4am, drive down to Stowe, take the gondola up in the dark, and watch the sunrise during an Easter service. And then take a few runs. It was freezing, but beautiful.

More Isabel pics

I know, I'm getting a little out of hand with the Isabel pictures. Here's this weeks installment.

spring fling

according to the calendar tomorrow marks the first day of spring. it feels like kind of joke to me. spring is supposed to be about flowers blooming, leaves returning to trees, warmer weather, and baby birds chirping. the truth is, that kind of spring stuff doesn't really exist here for at least another month or two. right now, all we have is annoying mixes of rain, sleet, freezing rain, and snow usually in same day. All the snow that is left on road sides is brown, dirty and depressing to look at. In between the rain and snow mixes we do get some warm temperatures, but just enough to make everything muddy for a few hours before it turns to ice again. jay is wiping off our muddy puppy as we speak. i think the most annoying part of "spring" in vermont this year is potholes. the roads are a complete disaster, with an almost constant threat of a flat tire. maybe thats just my commute starting to wear on me. i'm trying to be hopeful that soon enough, i'll be lounging on the deck while jay is firing up the grill (which we don't even own yet). at least we discovered that there really is a deck underneath the snow.