Off to Rhinebeck for brunch .. getting a lift on Muzzies shoulders to the farmers market ..Then to the garden centre to buy plants for the front yard .. .. back home to her favourite little chair ..Rob and Malcolm check out the vintage cars at Duchess County park .... and then back to plant the shrubs .. two very tired but very happy gardeners at the end of the day!… and a drink on the porch at the end of another super day

Evie is introduced to the pool …   and gradually lowered in .. but gets a bit carried away … and oops …… and so much cooler in the floating plastic thingy .. (and check out Dianne actually in the pool as well!)but nothing beats a cuddle with Grandma Muz… happy families!!

Where have the last two years gone?

The Bunts, Martinelli’s (and Jessica, of course) came over for a BBQ to celebrate our Chloe’s 2nd birthday.

Chloe was very excited by her first present from Nana and Papa - a set of golf clubs, so she can play golf with Muz and Dandad.  Uncle James gives Chloe some early tips…

Next up was the unveiling of the exciting present from the Martinelli’s and Tourtelots - Chloe’s kitchen - this proved an instant hit! (and for once, it isn’t pink!)

Chloe gets stuck in loading the dishwasher.

Having learnt twice this week that singing “Happy Birthday” to Chloe ends in tears, and having Chloe specifically say to me “want cake Mummy, but please don’t sing” -  we had a cake, with no singing, despite James’ best efforts - just you wait Martinelli, 3 months to go, and you’ll be in trouble!!!

Some appeared to enjoy the cake more than others!!!!

Meggy Moo took the whole day in her stride, and was just gorgeous as ever. She clearly found the whole present upwrapping quite dull..

But was soon quite intrigued, and grew to love her initiation to “this is the way the ladies ride”

Ahh, beautiful, happy, little girl.

A house full of new toys, but nothing beats dancing in the garden with Daddy and balloons.

Happy Birthday, beautiful Chloe.

… a new restaurant opens in Rhinecliff .. offering an impressive range of home cooking.  The head chef checks out the puttanesca sauce .. as the sous-chef busies herself making the pasta then joining the guests at dinner ..Food and wine both excellent as was the overall ambience … definitely 2 thumbs up for this new venture!

… with darling little Evie …. .  Meanwhile, Dianne busy sewing the drapes.... Rob and JJ down by the pool practising kali (a form of martial arts from the Philipines )- very impressive!… Evie picking flowers in the front yard and she loves looking out the front door at the river, just the right height!

.. 15 hour drive down to Hilton Head to stay with Lori Yoss …  lovely visit with good food and drink, a bit of very average golf and lots of retail therapy …  Dianne slightly more impressive on the golf course .. … I was just consistent … consistently rubbish .. … and then 900 mile drive back to Emma on Sunday

… a great way to overcome jetlag .. helping Emma Rob & Evie move into their new house .. … from the back …and their pool, with the Hudson river in the background !…. just a bit of basic garden maintenance going on in the back yard to solve a little water problem!!

A golf weekend in the New Forest before leaving for USA  

Muz started on the curtains today, which meant that there were two huge empty rolls that once held all the material. Evie thought they were the best toy ever, especially the massive noise they made when they hit the floor. A good hour of fun that ended only because it was bed-time…

When something is this much fun, you just have to break into spontaneous applause…

Evie was laughing so hard she had to keep putting her hands on her hips and bend over…

Evie checks in to make sure her Granddad is having as much fun as she is.

And then a big hug for Muz…

Life’s pretty good.

Every man should have a shed, and this weekend Chloe discovered Papa’s.  After a walk around the garden with Christian, Chloe came across the shed, she opened the door, went in and made herself at home.  “Get Papa, now” were her next words.  When Papa arrived, “Sit down, Papa” she ordered.  Papa obeyed.  I wasn’t far behind with camera at the ready to catch a shot of Chloe putting the world to right with Papa.