The Night Before

Tomorrow is the big day. The Snapdragon Inn, known to the town of Windsor as Bertha Frothingham's home is going to greet its first guests for an open house since it's renovation. If you have not yet visited the site, take a look at www.snapdragoninn.com. Also look at www.snapdragoninn.blogspot.com. Anyway the word around town is that the homes former occupants from Maxwell Evarts and his family to Maxfield Perkins to good old Bert will be on hand. We are down to about 15 hours, and even though it is midnight, there are at least a dozen people working here at the Inn tonight. Paula and I have been sleeping here for the last week, and the place has a great spirit about it. Even at nearly two hundred years old, it seems tickled to have the energy that this bunch has showered on it.

Unbelievable amount of work, but there has been fun around here as well. Mike Cammock's friend Kieran from New Zealand has been volunteering and he has been a champ. He and the Chrisinator (as he calls Chris Vial) together with Jordan and others have been cleaning up the landscaping. In the process, they found that the ivy vines had grown so big and high up the trees over the years that they could literally hang and swing on them, just like the jungle!


Kieran was testing it's strength, so Chris decided to give it the ultimate test.


It is just a peaceful place!




Tonight was the Windsor Chamber of Commerce sponsored fireworks. Nate Larson is the Chamber President, and no less that 4 of the clan are on the board. They did a great job on the show, and many from the town came out.


The Inn looks great with the fireworks in the backdrop. The next two pictures are Chris Vial's, taken with the D3.



Ok, now for the mystery critter. This was taken near the Connecticut River in Cornish, New Hampshire. I know it is a baby deer, so that guess doesn't win. What deer would be found with a baby fawn this time of year in Cornish?


So now it's down to less than 14 and a half hours. Chelle in on her knees scrubbing tile, Paula is cleaning individual stair rails, and I am blogging. Hmmm.





Stay tuned for the unveiling!

On the Right Coast

Seems like just a few days ago that we loaded Mia, Lyann and Vivian into the Pham Van (Hoa and Thuy borrowed my Lexus to attend a wedding in downtown Portland) and headed out to the drive-in with Nic's family for Toy Story 2. I haven't been to a drive-in for a while and needless to say, the crowd is interesting.


We stayed up way too late, and just a day later took the red eye to Vermont! On arrival in Windsor, we were shown to our new room at the Snapdragon Inn, and didn't have hot water for the first 6 days! But we will have this baby ready for the open house this Saturday, and it is actually kind of fun working the 12 hour days to get there!


It does get a bit overwhelming at times, but Paula is great about watching kids, cleaning and just making sure everyone is fed so they don't kill each other!

On Saturday the ladies took some time out to take the kids swimming. I took a few minutes to run by and take some pictures.


Princess Maddie and her famous dive!



Anders was really learning how to dive from Grandma, and was doing great!


Chris and Kenni are up from Virginia working while school is out. Zuri seems to be another tadpole just like the rest of them.




And of course as number three, Eddie thinks he is a big boy and is keeping right up with the others. This picture could have been Paula and Kevin, Chris, Nic or Nate just a few years ago.


Meanwhile, back on Main Street, Chris, Mike Cammock and Brig were trying to sort out why the mower was throwing sparks every time the blade was engaged.


It is looking good. The new walkway up to the porch is a great addition.


The rooms are already being used. Nursery? Sewing Room?



Stuff is arriving every day.


In the middle of it all, Nate is already booking rooms!


We really have enjoyed sleeping here. It feels really homey.


But there is much to do, so gotta get to it!





By the way, has anyone seen Lars?


See you in a few days when it really looks like an Inn!!!!

Reunion Two, Jean Vial and family

My dad is pretty excited about getting his 5 son's and their families together once a year. Typically it has occurred at the Oregon Coast, although we have gathered in Montana, the Willamette Valley and other locations from time to time. We have had a yearly gathering for about 30 years however, and it is a really good tradition. Over the years my mom was really the manager/organizer, and after she passed away in 1987 I was worried what would happen. However, dad's wife Leslie has stepped up in a grand way, and the tradition is stronger than ever. Her two children Mario and Galena are just like siblings to the rest of us.

This year Leslie got 10 campsites all adjacent to one another at Bullards Beach State Park in Bandon, Oregon. This was one of my folks favorite places to go when we were young, and it brought back great memories.

Attending were:


Alicia and her husband Tucker, attending his first Vial family reunion!


Chuong with his wife Liyan, daughter Eva, and son's Victor and Felix.


My brother Dave and his wife Eva.


No one else from his family!


My brother Jeff from Montana with wife Lynn, and son's Clark (recently back from Vermont and headed to BYU Hawaii next month), Jacob, Phillip and Scott.


My brother John with his wife Anna, and Devin (soon bound for Mexico on a mission) and daughter Aubrey.


My brother Mike with his wife Christine and son Sam (Moose).


Nic was there with his clan, including wife Hailey and daughter's Kennedy, Sierra, Bree and Ava.

Nate and Kevin were also there, but somehow didn't get their pictures, but did get Nate's wife Caitlin with their new Doberman/Rottweiler puppy Paisley.


This dog is destined to become very large. Hope she stays as sweet as she is now.


Grandpa Vial with Leslie, Galena and Mario.


Mario (with just one more year left at Harvard law school!), Angie and Joshua.


Galena with her friend? Brian. Pretty good guy. You have to be tough to get by the Vial boys!


Dad Vial with Mario, Jeff, Mike, Dave, John and me.


And just about the whole crew!

We walked, ate, hung out and played games. Uncle Dave and Aunt Eva were in charge of games.


Felix pulling the ear on a very big Maxfield the dog. (Of Galena and Brian).


Studying for his mission? Naw.

Ok now for the mystery critter for this post. Another bird, seen in Bullards Beach State Park. It's name is very intuitive based upon it's appearance.


The games involved various things that you wouldn't know until you sent your representative.

Like the biggest mouth.


Brian won, with CC a close second.


Earlier in the day, Aubrey earned her Junior Camper prize with her participation in the bike parade.


As usual, this was a pretty chill event, with lot's of time to just talk with one another.



The usual rivalry's were present, but certainly the one that concerned us the most was this possible throw down.


The competition was fierce at the game night however, and emotions were high.


Who could draw the best whale? ??


Paula and Leslie celebrate a temporary win.


An unexpected defeat surprised Paula as Anna defeated her in arm wrestling after coaching by Alicia.


And the winning team celebrates!


This twinkie seemed to be pretty well stocked up for the long ride home.

Until next year!!!!!!!!