A Baptism and the 4th

Paula and I made a quick trip out to Vermont over the 4th of July.  The primary purpose was to attend the baptism of Anders.  Hard to believe that my little girl has a boy old enough to be baptized! 

Dad was naturally very proud.



This is really a great little family!



For some reason this trip included very little work time for me.  I really had a great time hanging with the kids while Paula and Chelle shopped, went to cooking classes etc. 

Our walks were really fun in the perfect Vermont summer weather.  It is hard not to want to walk when the lake is just out the back door! This shot is taken with a 50mm lens just outside Chelle's back door. 



Eddie is really growing up to be an interesting person.  He epitomizes cool!








And I am really proud of Anders and Maddie for the big brother and sister that they are.



These shots were taken in the gazebo across the lake from Chelle and Brig's on a pennisula.  That is Chelle's house in the background. 



This is the same perspective with a zoom lens. 

Of course we had to notice the birds.  These guys are actually now calling my attention to the ones they see.  We got really close looks at several including this House Wren,





And a proud Common Yellowthroat



For this post's mystery critter, can one of you grandchildren tell me what this bird is?



Is it the same species as this one?



Sadly, on our walk we saw this Canada Goose who had apparently swallowed a fish hook and had a float permanently hanging from it's bill.  A few days later it appeared to have shed it however so we hope it worked out ok.



Even the flowers were stunning however and it was hard not to be really happy to be outside.



Later that evening we did another walk, and enjoyed the full moon.



As I said earlier, we were in Vermont for the 4th of July week.  All the classic activities were ours to enjoy.  We saw the parade in Brownsville...









Got in a swim at Grandpa Jim and Grandma Carol's pool...





And before the day was over we got in the fireworks up at Hartland before the thunder storms arrived!





The storm passed quickly however, and there was that beautiful moon again.



We got home just in time for Tulia's shower. 



Lynn who recently lost her husband and our friend Don with little Tulia.



And Aunt Hailey with Dorothy looks a lot like a mom who loves babies.  Maybe another?



It's a good life!