Daily Archives: October 18, 2026

My heart is full

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Tonight marks the end of a fun-filled, family-packed, vacation week! I’ve been smiling, laughing, sharing, and enjoying for a week. My heart is full.

Last weekend Rosy’s book group came to VT for a visit. On Sunday her group and mine joined together to take a baking class at King Arthur Flour, and then came back to my house for pizza and a big, joyful book discussion. Lots of laughter, new friends, tasty treats, and so many book recommendations. We read Jodi Picoult’s newest book, Hollow Bones. Both groups gave it three stars (of five) and a resounding, “It’s ok.”

Sunday night and Monday morning brought parents, more siblings, aunts, and uncles from near and far. We gathered at my house, ate lots of food, explored local attractions, played lots of games, did a few puzzles, and thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company. Somehow I lucked into the world’s best family. Everyone is kind, smart, friendly, funny, and amazing.

(photos in no particular order….)

Sheepies at Billings Farm
Peckish Pirates Puzzle
“Vertical Shaper” – one of the machines at the American Precision Museum
An early IBM employee punch clock. Turn the wheel to select your number, pull the lever, and it stamps your number on a paper reel inside. Green ink if you’re on time, red ink if you’re not!
The obligatory dinner photo
Catan!
Mema won one of the games of Catan!
Group picture at the American Precision Museum
Simon Pearce glass blowing studio
Waterfall at the American Precision Museum.
My front porch :)
I hope I’m still partying with my siblings in our older years too!

Everyone left on Thursday. I was sad to say goodbyes, but already had another adventure ahead. Lex was home all week and his vacation week ended with an overlap of Espen’s family weekend at Hofstra, so on Friday he and I drove to Long Island. We stopped by WPI to drop off his car, then continued on to Hofstra. We visited with Espen for a few days, got a tour of her campus. (she gave us the “critters tour,” which included random animals, places she’s seen random animals, the cat city on campus, the bird sanctuary, and other random animals around) We also made last minute plans to go into the city and see a show, Maybe Happy Ending. The show was sooo good!! My only complaint is that the only affordable tickets were “obstructed view” so we missed a bit of the side stage action, and the tech/design was so amazing that I bet it was 100x better from head on, but that’s a-ok. We had a great time and the show was fantastic!

Such a handsome boy
I love them all
She picked up a fat, cold bumble bee, carried it around until it warmed up, then set it free.
Flowers are still blooming in Long Island!
Huxley goes to college
She keeps us safe through Grand Central Station
Before the show
I love the glamour of Broadway (and off Broadway) theaters!
Our view of the stage
After the show
We all miss Huxley
Disheveled handsome boys :)

This morning we had bagels and did some hanging out at Espen’s house, then Lex and I headed north. Back in Worcester we went out to dinner with Lex’s new…. girlfriend!! The big news of the week! LOL. She is very sweet and we all three bumbled through an silly and awkward “meet the mom / meet the new girlfriend” dinner. Lex picked a local restaurant (not the OG!) and even made reservations for us! It was a lovely dinner.

Now I’m home again, kitty on my lap, and looking at a clock that says midnight. I should probably go to bed, though I sure would like a few more days of vacation. :)

Until next time, family, I love you all! Thanks for visiting, hosting, traveling, exploring, laughing, and loving with me. I’m am lucky girl to have all of you in my life. <3