IT'S BEEN AWHILE

I know it has been awhile since I've last posted anything. While I haven't been posting I was away for 2, yes I said 2, weeks vacation with the family. Ashleigh was away on a school trip to Paris and Barcelona for the same 2 weeks. She enjoyed the sites in Paris, didn't like the cold weather. She loved Barcelona and the people. She stayed the second week with our friends the Howards, who are there enjoying Stephens sabbatical. She had an awesome trip and flew all the way from Barcelona, Spain to Bangor, Maine via Munich, Washington D.C. and Detroit. Kind of a round about way but she made it.


While she was away we were all in Jackson, N.H. We were having a glorious time at one of our favorite places. There was lots of snow, sun, skiing, sunburn, soaking in the hot tub, sipping coffee, shopping, sitting, socializing, sleeping, and eating!!!!! The first week we spent in Jackson with our PEI friends. The second week the Austins spent alone in the mountains. We took one day and went to Stowe, Vermont. We visited the Trapp Family Lodge (You know the Sound of Music people - yes, they are real). We saw the youngest member of the Trapp family - Johann - who now runs the family business. There are a couple of the other siblings living close by that come to the lodge and visit and lead music in the evenings. We also went to the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream factory and learned all about their ice cream. MMmmm! Did you know if you work for them you can bring home 3 pints - a day! WOW - that's a lot of calories. Tried a new flavor - Creme Brulee - it is to die for. Our last few days away we spent in Portsmouth with our very dear friends - like family -The Carlisles. We had a great time while we there and hope to see them again soon.