Uncle Frank and Aunt Jo's House - New Hampshire Trip - Day 9

We finished our very busy day off on Saturday with a visit to Uncle Frank and Aunt Jo's house. Although we had a short visit, we had a really nice time visiting with them. The girls loved playing with Aunt Jo's bears and other stuffed animals. Elaina played a little ping pong with Uncle Frank. They have a beautiful New England farm house. We love Uncle Frank and Aunt Jo so much.

Emily loved the animals on Uncle Frank's shirt.

Uncle Frank and Elaina played their own version of Ping Pong.

Uncle Frank, Elaina, Aunt Jo, and Emily

Wildcat Mountain - New Hampshire Trip - Day 9

Jeff really wanted to get the girls to the top of a mountain, so we "climbed" Wildcat Mountain late Saturday afternoon. By "climbed" I mean rode to the top in a gondola. There was no way that I was climbing two mountains in one week, and absolutely no way that I was going to climb a mountain with two children under the age of two and a half! There are several mountains that you can go to the top in a gondola. We chose Wildcat because Jeff has already been up Loon Mountain, and Wildcat Mountain also gives you a spectacular view of Mount Washington. Once I was on the gondola, I was a mess! I forgot about my recent fear of heights that has emerged this summer, and I could not wait for that small, swinging, gondola to get to the top of that mountain and eventually back down the mountain. There is a new feature at Wildcat Mountain that Jeff and I really wanted to do. They take you about 1/4 up the mountain and put you on a zip line down the mountain! We were really wanting to do it, but we got there too late. They were about ready to close down for the day. I was really bummed. It would have been such a thrill! Next time we're here, we'll have to remember to try to do it. www.skiwildcat.com

At the top of Wildcat Mountain, there were some "big rocks." Elaina wanted to "climb that mountain like Mommy and Daddy did."

This is a view from the top of Wildcat Mountain. If you look in the center of the picture, the mountain that is the furthest in the distance is Mount Chocorua - the mountain that Jeff and I climbed earlier in the week.

A view from the top of Wildcat Mountain

Elaina riding up the mountain in the gondola.

Emily in the gondola.

A view of Mount Washington from the top of Wildcat Mountain.

When we got to the top of Wildcat Mountain, it was really chilly. The sun went behind the clouds, and it was getting ready to rain. Elaina was starting to get cold.

Our family at the top of Wildcat Mountain

Elaina's First Fishing Trip - New Hampshire Trip - Day 9

Elaina had her first fishing trip on Saturday. We went fishing with Uncle Ernie on Pequawket Pond in Conway. Of course, this is the same pond I used to fish on with my dad, Uncle Ernie and brothers when we were there in the summers. Elaina had a blast! She did an awesome job, even though she didn't catch anything. She loved to throw out her line and reel it in. She hollered at her bobber the whole time. "Come here, bobber! You come here!" It was so much fun. Jeff, Poppy, Uncle Ernie and Elaina had a great time. MeMe, Mommy, Emily, and Aunt Donna were just there for support. We tried really hard and were really wanting to catch a fish so that Elaina could send a picture of it home to her PawPaw McCrary. I guess PawPaw McCrary will have to take her fishing when we get home and help her catch her first fish. Thanks, Uncle Ernie, for a great memory with Elaina!

Elaina wasn't interested in putting the worm on her hook.

Elaina learning the ins and outs of fishing from Uncle Ernie.

Enjoying the time together

Emily watching the fishing line being thrown out into the pond.

Great Grammie and Grampie's House - New Hampshire Trip - Day 9

We made a very special visit to Great Grammie and Grampie's house on Saturday after visiting Crystal Lake. This is the house that my dad grew up in. My Grampie built a large part of this house. When my grandparents passed away, the house was left to my dad. This was our home away from home for the summers. Dad rented it out 11 months out of the year, and we stayed in it the 12 month during our vacation. I have so many memories in this house.

Even though I was only six by the time both of my grandparents passed away, I remember them so vividly. Grampie was always waiting for us as when drove in the driveway. He would be sitting on the inside porch, and he would always pretend that he was going to cut off my finger with his pocket knife. He always wore the same outfit, too. In fact, Jeff's grandfather, who just passed away about a year and a half ago, reminded me so much of my Grampie. He always seemed to wear the same outfit too. I remember Grammie always had pies ready for us when we got there. Custard pie was my favorite, and she always seemed to have blueberry, too. She also always had plenty of wine, but obviously, I didn't drink it! I was so little. I'm so glad that I have these memories of my grandparents.

The house looks out to the mountains. The views are beautiful. My brothers and I each had our own bedroom that we called ours while we were there. The land is beautiful and wooded. The house is on a hill and for years and years each house on the hill was owned by a Richardson, so all of the neighbors were family. My Dad decided to sell the house almost five and a half years ago. In fact, we all made a trip there during spring break of 2003 to get it ready to sell. It was the last time we were in the house. I am so thankful that Jeff and I were able to make that trip. My cousin, Shane, ended up buying the house and now rents it out, so for now it's still in the family. We know it most likely won't be able to stay that way forever though. The other "Richardson houses" on the hill have now been sold as well. Great Aunt Dot's house down the yard was so very special, too. Molasses cookies, egg salad sandwiches, tea with Aunt Dot . . . so many memories. I'll always remember Aunt Dot as such a sweet and beautiful lady. Cousins Howie and Linda lived across the street, and we always went there to play as well.

Shane has been able to rent the house out, so we stopped by for some pictures. We didn't go inside, but we were able to get some pictures outside. At first, I wasn't sure that I wanted to take pictures because it doesn't look just the way it used to as I remember it, but my dad talked me into it anyway. Years change things, and it's just not the same. He said that I would regret it if I didn't get pictures of the girls there, and he's probably right, so I went ahead and took pictures. It just makes me sad that it's not Grammie and Grampie's house anymore, and so I don't really want to look at it any other way. I guess I'm just a sensitive traditionalist and there are so many emotions connected to that house as a kid, especially for my brother Stephen. He really does love that house. He has more memories of that house than I do since he's older.

Dad really enjoyed showing the girls around. This was a very special moment for my mom and dad. They just couldn't believe that the day came for them to be able to have their grandkids there. Actually, they had their oldest grandbaby there five and a half years ago. My nephew, Luke, was 14 months old when he was at the house. My parents have loved being able to see those three grandkids there.

I could go on and on about the memories at this house. I'm so glad that I was able to see our girls enjoy the short stay there on Saturday.

Poppy showing Elaina around his childhood property.

Elaina playing in Great Grammie and Grampie's field.

Poppy and his girls

Emily and Elaina in front of Great Grammie and Grampie's house.

Emily, MeMe, Elaina and Poppy.

Our family

Uncle Ernie and Dad (Cousin Howie and Linda's former house in the background, which was in the Richardson family for generations.)

Crystal Lake - New Hampshire Trip - Day 9

Saturday was our last full day in New Hampshire, so we had several things we wanted to accomplish. The first thing we wanted to do was to go to Crystal Lake. I spent many days at Crystal Lake each summer as a kid. It is a private beach, and only residents of the town are permitted, so my Aunt Penny would always take us as kids. We would spend most of the day there. We would always eat our lunch on the beach. It's a beautiful lake, and I have many fond memories there. Probably the most memorable is when my brother, Paul, picked up a huge rock out of the bottom of the lake and threw it at my head. Oh my goodness, I've never seen my Aunt Penny that upset. We were probably 7 or 8 when that happened, possibly younger, and I will never ever forget it!

The beach is still private, but we got there early enough that there wasn't anyone there checking permits. I didn't take the girls any extra clothes or swimsuits because we didn't think we'd be able to stay very long without a permit. Well, the girls couldn't handle it. They ran right to the water and had a blast. Elaina LOVED throwing rocks in the water. She had so much fun. Emily had a great time splashing in the water with MeMe. I loved being able to watch the girls play and have fun at "my lake." I took a few moments just to sit back and watch them. It was very special.

The beautiful view across part of Crystal Lake.

Our family at Crystal Lake.

Emily playing in the sand at Crystal Lake. I built many sandcastles on this beach when I was a kid.

Elaina loving the water at Crystal Lake. Forget a swimsuit!

Elaina playing at Crystal Lake.

Story Land - New Hampshire Trip - Day 8

The weather was absolutely beautiful today. We were so glad to finally have a FULL day of sunshine and beautiful views! We decided to spend the day at Story Land. Story Land has provided many years of memories for me, and I couldn't wait to share it with the girls and Jeff. MeMe came along, too. MeMe has very special memories of taking me and my brothers to Story Land, so it was really fun for her to share the day with the girls, too.

Story Land is a 35 acre amusement park with rides, shows, and other activities themed around children's stories. Many of them are themed around nursery rhymes, but as the years have gone, some rides and activities are starting to have a more modern storybook theme. Story Land was established in the 1950s. The rides are designed for small children. In fact, Elaina was able to ride every ride, and Emily could ride all of them but four. Parents are strongly urged to ride with their children. Families come from all over the country to enjoy clean, safe, family fun at Story Land.

It was so much fun to ride some of my favorite rides as a kid with the girls. They had a great time and were so good! You can go visit http://www.storylandnh.com/ to learn more about Story Land. The history of Story Land is very interesting, and can be found on that page as well if you click on "Story Land People" and then click on "The Morrell Family." I have posted a lot of pictures today. I took 80 pictures during our day, so it was hard to pick pictures to post on the blog.

Mommy and Elaina on the Antique Cars.

Daddy and Emily on the Antique Cars.

Emily as Heidi.

Daddy, Elaina, and Mommy on the Polar Coaster - Elaina's favorite ride.

When the ride on the Polar Coaster started, Jeff told Elaina to put her hands up. She did, and she kept them up the entire ride. This coaster isn't your fair kiddie coaster. It's a pretty rough ride with a lot of quick turns and big drops. She had a blast on this ride.

She still has her hands up and is giggling!

Our family waiting in line to ride the Flying Dutch Shoes.

MeMe and Elaina on the Cuckoo Clockenspiel. No one liked this ride except for MeMe. The rest of us felt extremely dizzy and yucky. It was very similar to a typical teacup ride.

Emily snuggling up to Mommy before the Cuckoo Clockenspiel ride begins.

Elaina and Emily visiting Mother Goose.

Mommy, Emily (hidden behind Daddy), Daddy and Elaina on the Bamboo Chutes. Elaina wasn't a fan of the water rides which is really unusual since she loves water so much. Emily loved it! This was like your normal log ride.

MeMe and our family on the Great Balloon Chase ride. This ride was a ferris wheel. The seats that you sat in were hot air balloons.

Mommy and Elaina before the Flying Fish take off. This was a fast and breezy ride. You moved your fin to change the direction of your fish while you were in the air. It was very similar to your typical flying swing ride.

Cinderella's Castle and the Pumpkin Coach was my favorite area to visit at Story Land as a little girl. Today, we took and tour of Cinderella's Castle and also went on a ride in the Pumpkin Coach that you see here.

Elaina, Cinderella, and Emily. One of Elaina's favorite books is her "dress book." It is a very old copy of Cinderella that belonged to my Grammie that I always loved to read when we came to visit her in New Hampshire.

Emily and Elaina in a miniature pumpkin coach.

Mommy and Emily on the Swan Boat ride. This is also a part of the Cinderella area at Story Land. It was my favorite ride as a kid. It was very special to share it with Emily today.

Story Land has a lot of animals, and the girls LOVED seeing all of them. They were all set up in their storybook setting. Here is an example of the Three Little Pigs. There were several "storybook animals" in their respective settings like this one.

Emily having a ball on the tiger merry-go-round.

The Old Woman in the Shoe

Elaina as Alice in Wonderland.
Emily playing peek-a-boo in Alice's Wonderland.
Elaina stayed awake all day. As we walked through the exit gate of the amusement park, she was having a conversation with us. As we continued down the sidewalk to head to the parking lot, it became very quiet and she had stopped responding to us. She decided she had had enough!

Emily all tuckered out.