Summer Stories, Vol. 1

Let's go back and revisit the summer, shall we? Let's start with our early July trip to Vermont, where we accomplished quite a bit, actually. Chocolate factories, driving our car onto a boat, hot air balloon festivals, stray cats we almost kept, naked Slip N' Slide rides (the kids, sickos), one lost appendix (sorry your trip wasn't so great, Joe) and much, much more. Here are the highlights with my smart-assed comments. Go Green Mountain State!

The greatest hikers that ever lived. This was either just before or just after our 2.2 mile trek on the Long Trail South. Both boys did pretty great considering the rocky, muddy terrain. Oh, and get this, they weren't even the youngest in our group. That honor goes to their cousin John, who was also a beast. We weren't messing around.

The family shot at the top. And yeah, behind us is a straight drop (it's not as close to us as it looks in this photo). Sooo...we didn't stay up there too long. But man is it amazing to take in.

Your standard green grass freedom runners shot. Am I getting predictable?

The Lake Champlain Chocolate Factory. In all honesty, it's not the greatest tour in the world (one room behind glass, people) but I can't say much considering I missed most of it while on a conference call. I'm a jerk. But hey, it's chocolate. And it's near a beautiful lake. So everybody wins.

Pete and John making good use of that clean well water. They took turns running and jumping into the freezing pool, cracking each other up.

Slip N' Slide action shot. And I know it looks like Pete's head is about to snap off but I guarantee you, this was fun. And no whiplash to speak of. What you see behind yours truly is a stark naked Vincent dashing for his next turn.

The tractor ride back from a terrifically hot Shelburne Farms trip with Nonna. Note that the "sweat" you see pictured here has been enhanced by several dunks under the handwashing fountain. You know how we do.

Vincent the Serious, Shelburne style.

I'm on a boat! My wonderful wife taking in the sights on a ferry ride from VT to NY.

We're at a hot air balloon festival! Don't take pictures of us, Dad! Take pictures of the numerous amazing hot air balloons all taking off simultaneously! Do it! Do it!

That's much better, isn't it? And this doesn't begin to do it justice.

And still time for a quick arm painting at the festival. Pete wanted a pink cat, Vincent a yellow.

The crew. John, Joe, Vincent and Pete. Look at little Joe holdin' it down in the middle. They were boys all week long - playing, running, scheming, battling, crying and ultimately, scheming for the future...

More summer moments to come...