Andy, Jen, Lexie and Josh: Touring with Kate

It's been ages since I was able to update this but I'll try and catch up now.

First up we had some good rain a while back and Lexie had so much fun jumping in puddles.

Josh wasn't quite so sure yet!

Lexie also had a ball helping daddy paint the deck.

My best friend Kate joined us in Boston for four week in September and October and so we've been out and about quite a bit lately. First up was our Boston duck tour.

And trip through the Boston Public Gardens.

The following day we headed out to The Big E. Massachusetts' version of the royal easter show. A great day was had by all. Not quite as many animals as I had hoped for but both Lexie and Josh loved watching the dressage comptetion.

The midway was a huge hit. Lexie got to go on lots of rides - but got very put out when Mummy and Kate went on a couple of rides without her.

Josh wasn't tall enough for most rides yet - but he didn't seem to mind.

We all got to go on the ferris wheel though.

And the big slides

Time for an ice cream break

And Lexie was a very lucky girl and won a nemo picking out ducks whilst dady won a big dog throwing darts.

Unfortunately the weather turned a bit yucky for a few days - but we didn't let that stop us.

Our next day trip was up to Cape Ann just north of Boston. There was a fantastic drive around the coast at Gloucester - even in the fog and the rain.

Lunch was at a little lobster shack overlooking the bay.

After lunch we visited this cool little place called the Paper House. Some guy decided to build himself almost an entire house - including furnitre out of paper. Theres a basic wooden frame but everything else is paper, including walls.

And finised our day with a walk around the little town of Rockport - very cute.

The next fine day we headed into Rhode Island to go to the zoo. This was so much fun.

Finally we found a zoo with Elephants. Both Lexie and Josh were entranced.

Also a baby giraffe which was soo cute.

One of the higlights of the day was getting to watch the elephants being given a bath.

Theres lots more photos of animals but I wont bore you all.

A couple of days later we headed down to Rhode Island again to Newport. First stop was the beach - finally Josh had a chance to get down and dirty on the sand and to practice his walking.

we then did the cliff walk around past some of the big mansions.

Unfortunately there was a big festival going on in town though so we didn't stop to check out Newport itself.

A couple of days later Kate, Lexie Josh and I headed out on a road trip (Andy had to stay at home and work again).

First day we headed out to Western Massachusetts along the Mohawk trail.

Our first stop was the French Kings bridge over the Connecticut river

also a chance for a quick walk in the woods.

We stopped at Turners Falls for lunch (thank you very much to the man in Mcdonalds for the fantastic directions to a great playground where we could have lunch) .

After lunch we checked out Shelburne and the bridge of flowers

and came across a rather unusual display of pumpkins

Stayed overnight and Williamstown.

Next morning we headed into Vermont to Bennington. First stop was the memorial tower where we were able to take an elevator to the top for some great views.

Out the front of this place - and in fact all through Vermont someone has been putting up these painted animals. Lexie was very intruiged by them.

We also stopped to check out the Old first church which was the wierdest chursh I've seen inside all divided into little cubicles.

We then headed up Route 100 - past some old covered bridges and through some gorgeous scenery.

Lunch was at the Long Trail brewing company

The afternoon took us to some beautiful waterfalls - moss glen falls.

And ended at Ben and Jerrys with some yummy icecream.

The next morning we went to one of the local farms around Burlington. We visted the petting zoo and got to taste some yummy cheeses (and pretend to make some).