hyde park

On our way home from Connecticut we took the scenic route through Hyde Park, New York.  Turns out the Culinary Institute of America is in Hyde Park.  Unfortunately it was closed the day we were there, but there is also a Vanderbuilt mansion referred to as Hyde Park that we were able to tour. 

After being properly impressed by the Vanderbuilt story, family drama, and fortune we ate at possibly the best diner ever in nearby Rhinebeck. 

We might have to take the scenic route a little more often. 

connecticut (and new york) take 2

We decided to squeeze a trip to Connecticut to visit my sister one last time before they headed back west. 

We enjoyed the beautiful spring weather at the Stamford Nature Center. 

We appreciated some art, and people watching at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in NY.

We stocked up on some Moroccan and Indian spices at Kalustyan's.

We took tons of photos.

And now we're sad that our closest family is 18 hours away.

maple open house

Every year in March, Vermont holds a maple open house weekend.  Seeing as how Vermont is pretty famous for it's maple syrup, we decided we needed to participate.  The general idea is to visit several sugarhouses, watch maple syrup being made, make yourself sick on sample the different types of maple syrup, and maple products, and celebrate something very Vermont-y.

We got a late start so we only made it to one sugarhouse, Taft's Milk and Maple Farm in Huntington.  Unfortunately, because of some unusually warm, early spring weather they were no longer boiling sap.  But we were able to enjoy a cool little tour/explanation of the whole process.  And of course we ate our fill of the maple fudge, maple cotton candy, and the fresh donuts with maple cream. 

easter

A quick snap shot of the girls before church on Sunday. 

mes petites ballerines

The girls started ballet classes back in December.  

They both love it, and are practicing hard for their performance in June.  

coconut

We are taking full advantage of having family only 5 hours away while it lasts.  We spent winter break in Connecticut with my sister and her family.  We enjoyed fantastic food, being in a big city, seeing the sights and enjoying time with family.

We spent our first day at the Stepping Stones Children's museum. The highlights were the construction zone, the water room, and the fire dog sparky.

 

Since New York City is only a train ride away we spent some time in the Big Apple. First we had to get through the protest happening outside my sisters apartment.  (something about construction workers wanting better pay). 

We took lots of breaks for picture taking.

The girls ordering a snack at the train station.

Ella recognized Grand Central Station from the movie Madagascar.

On the ferry to the Statue of Liberty

The Moroccan food at Cafe Mogador was excellent.

Times Square

Toys 'R Us at Times Square

I had a hard time keeping up with Sophie at the American Museum of Natural History as she was searching for the T. Rex

Found it!

The museum was cool, especially the dinosaur bones, but it didn't compare to the Natural History Museum in Denver. 

Fantastic Indian food at the Biryani Cart on 46th and 6th.

It was an awesome trip.  I wish my sister was going to be out here longer.  I also wish Vermont had a Target, and Indian food.