When I was an undergraduate at UVM, I had two very close friends- Sarah Ginnetti and Patti Brennan. We shared the same major (Animal Science) and many of the same classes. We were all part of CREAM '94, and amazing agricultural opportunity at UVM. Over lots of Dunkin' Donuts coffee and the hum of the milk pump, we got to know each other pretty well during 4:00AM milkings!
We've stayed in touch over the years and try to see each other every now and again. The last time we got together was at my family's camp in Maine this past summer. Since we all have children now we thought it would be fun to rent a vacation home for the weekend. New Hampshire was chosen because Patti, who has a newborn (Ryleigh, 16 weeks), lives near Nashua. Patti is a veterinarian and had to work Saturday, so she joined us Sunday morning for just a day trip. Her husband Rob could not make it, as he and Patti are working opposite schedules so they can stay home with Ryleigh.
Sarah and her husband Sergio Rodriguez live in CT with their two children, Diego (3 1/2) and Maya (21 mos.). Sergio was born and raised in Mexico, and came to the U.S. after college to get his MBA. Ed has only met them once before, and he enjoyed visiting with Sergio and learning about his background.
Elijah, trying to get a kiss from Maya:
The house we rented in Winchester was amazing! Nicer than any place I've ever lived in. It was perfect for families, with every book, toy, and game you could ever imagine. Ping pong, air hockey, skates, skis, balls, pogo sticks, badminton, horseshoes, bocci, kayaks, canoes...someone even counted 13 (!) bicycles of all sizes. The house was not missing a single thing, it was absolutely perfect for our situation. The kids were all so busy!
Ed relaxing in the Great Room:
The dining room. Those French doors lead to 4 tiers of decking down to the lake. 
Taking our time waking up on Saturday morning: 
Saturday was a stunning day- 60 degrees and sunny. We went to a maple festival at Stonewall Farm, and Elijah had his first up-close experience with horses:
Saturday was a stunning day- 60 degrees and sunny. We went to a maple festival at Stonewall Farm, and Elijah had his first up-close experience with horses:
The Rodriguez Family: 
Walking to the cow barn:
First we visited the calves: 
First we visited the calves: Elijah was a little apprehensive about the big cows...
...But eventually curiosity got the better of him. 
...But eventually curiosity got the better of him. This was a traditional two-row tie-stall barn, the same exact setup we kept our CREAM cows in. It reminded me and Sarah of the CREAM barn. I found this old photo of our CREAM '94 group. I know the caption is hard to read, but Patti is standing in the back row to the left (white baseball cap) and Sarah and I are up front (Sarah is the blond girl to my left in a matching green t-shirt). Wow we were young! I don't even think we were 21 yet in this photo.
There was a very busy playground area. Here's Diego on the slide:
Elijah (of course!) wanted to "drive" the tractor:
There was a very busy playground area. Here's Diego on the slide:Elijah (of course!) wanted to "drive" the tractor:
Sarah and 
Here's the best we could do: 
8 comments:
Thanks for sharing the pictures. I especially love the one of Eli riding the tractor and "peeking" around the corner at the cows!! It looks like you all had a relaxing, enjoyable weekend!
Sorry to hear you've caught Ed's cold! But...better you than Eli, right??
We had a busy weekend. We received the building permit for the upstairs renovations last week,so Jim is anxious to get to work..but first we had to clear out the playroom, UGH! My ENTIRE house looks like a Toys R Us store! We filled 5 HUGE plastic storage containers & barely put a dent in the room. I think tomorrow I will make use out of one of the basement rooms & store some things down there, temporarily. After that I need to tackle the walk-in storage room in the playroom. That oughtta be fun..NOT! But once the room is clear Jim can start knocking down the walls & ceiling & get things gutted. It's going to make for a long, messy summer but should be worth it in the end! I'm sad to see our playroom get destroyed - I put a lot of work into decorating it "just so" but hopefully the new playroom, although smaller, will be just as nice!!
Thank you for sharing your weekend with us! What fun Elijah must have had with the other children and all the animals at the farm.
Looks like you guys had a beautiful weekend. You all deserve it after kind of a rough winter.
Elijah is just the cutest!
I want that house!!!!
I love vrbo.com. You can find some awesome places on that site - I've spent several hours just looking at different "vacation possibilities" for fun - especially outside the US!
The pictures are great - I hope the weather stays warm while I am up there next week! (It was 38 here this morning... too cold for March in Atlanta!)
Sandy,
I enjoyed so much reading and seeing these last 2 blogs...I had no idea you had been part of a UVM animal study group!! Loved seeing all the photos of you all, and amazing to see how big Elijah looks! How nice you all got together...the trip sounded great! vacation is not too far away...
lvoe, Joanie
Look at all that space in that house. Wow.
And fabulous weather, a chance to see old friends. You are lucky!
how truly special that you were able to keep in touch with these friends- I always feel so young when I am with my school friends- glad that you all had a good time
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