Upheaval in Plaistow

Dear Noah and Dylan,

Well, for two young boys, you've had the police go to your home way too many times, all around domestic disputes. Adam moved out which was a relief for all, including those of us not living in your Mom's house! But since your mom found out he had been unfaithful to her with his ex-girlfriend (Kelsy's mom) and that he found a new girlfriend (very cute and much younger) the green-eyed monster has invaded. Your mom posted a picture of them all Trick or Treating together, a screen shot of Adam's Facebook selfie post about his "wonderful co-parenting efforts." . All your mom's friends starting trashing Adam, adding fuel to the fire until the ex-girfriend, Tanya, got wind of the hullabaloo and chimed in with a reminder about what happened between your mom and the plumber (Dan) which naturally your mom denied but shortly therafter she decided to delete the whole thread.  That was a good thing since it was only antagonizing Adam to the point that he filed for a restraining order against your mom. And then the next day, the police were seen at the house again, maybe to issue a followup order, I don't know. Or your mom may have called about him since he apparently had been parked outside at one point. How do I know any of this..oh dear, the paparazzi and your dad are all quite well connected, but also from your mom's FB posts. Let it be a reminder to you both, NEVER do Facebook angry!
    I hope that the situation calms down and that Adam and your mom can let each other move on and not spend the next decade trying to seek revenge on each other. Adam apparently has some PTSD from his stint in Afghanistan and he owns quite a selection of guns. (seen on his FB page) I hope his anger doesn't escalate and create a horrible situation for any of you or all of us. There is too much of this bullshit going on today. Stinking orange pumpkin president man gives a voice to the angry white asshole men that are full of hate towards mankind that is different from them. I know you will both be two loving white men, as the tide has turned, right, boys???  Right???

I love you,
Auntie Kim

The Mountaineer Inn at Stowe, Vermont Weekend

Dear Noah and Dylan,

A year ago, Columbus Day weekend we were at the Cardigan Lodge with you guys. This year, in celebration of my turning 60, I invited you all, Don and Kim, Grandma Chris and Holly and Ryan to stay at the Mountaineer Inn at Stowe, Vermont. I had stayed there in May and really liked it, thought it would make a great place for a family getaway. They have an indoor pool and huge hot tub, a big lobby with a fireplace to play games and breakfast available in the mornings downstairs, plus it is pet friendly and right on the river. The dogs had plenty of room to play Fetch and run around although we kept them on leashes most of the time. We had Miguel with us since his owner was away for the week and she just watched Frida and Carlos while Uncle Joe and I were in Fiji.

Waterfall hike near Stowe

   So, a weekend in Stowe together: You guys got there late Friday night so we didn't see you until Saturday. Auntie Kim and Uncle Don got there late Saturday morning. Since the weather was looking better Saturday, we did the bike path. Grandma Chris, me and Uncle Joe rented electric bikes. You all had your own bikes. It was a nice ride but Grandma lost her balance early on and fell, decided she'd had enough and went back to the bike shop. And then it started sprinkling so Auntie Kim and Uncle Don bailed with Noah. Your dad, Dylan, me and Uncle Joe were the last of the Mohicans, completing the whole trail.From there it was off to the Sunset Grille to meet Holly and Ryan who were getting something to eat. We met Uncle Don there. There was a pool table right next to where we had drinks so the three of you boys played pool. In fact there was a pool table at two more of the restaurants we were at over the weekend, the Matterhorn and Three Amigos. We had dinner at the Matterhorn that night and when we got back to the hotel, the old farts went to bed and all of you stayed up and played  Knockout Whist until midnight.

Playing Kings in the Corner at Tres Amigos

    On Sunday, we went to the Ben and Jerry's factory which ended up taking up a huge chunk of time with the long lines, but we enjoyed it. From there we went for a very short hike into a waterfall called Moss Glen Falls. Got some nice pictures there of everyone, especially of you both with Holly and Ryan standing on the rocks next to the falls. Back at the hotel, we played "All About Me" Auntie Kim trivia for prizes but i guess everyone thought it was sort of lame. I thought it would be funny but everyone was taking it too seriously trying to win the prizes, which were Lame with a capital L. Dylan seemed to get my humor with some of the ridiculous multiple choice answers to the questions at least but there was way too much smoke coming out of everyone's ears, all to win a cheapo Fiji potholder, a shell necklace, 1980 Mad magazine or some Fiji currency. Auntie Kim looked annoyed and Ryan seemed bored. (You win some, you lose some.) I had more fun making up the questions than actually playing. We were off to the Mexican restaurant for dinner. Didn't get home till 10pm...very long wait to be seated, and then to actually eat. But everyone had a good time.We played Knockout Whist while we waited to eat at one end of the table and Kings in the Corner at another end.

Dinner entertainment at the Matterhorn

     Your dad told us that he got a text from your mom, apologizing for what went on with them in the past. Now that she is dealing with the same situation. shoe's on the other foot so to speak, she feels bad about it all and wanted to make amends. I thought it was really nice that she did that, but your dad was so hurt that he is unlikely to forgive her. Although he does realize how much worse his situation could be with some of the destroyed marriages of friends of his and women he has met, hearing about their experiences.

Uncle Joe glad he didn't have to plan a 60th  birthday party for me! LOL!

    When we got home, I went to my Bridge game. There was a lesson right before it and who walksd in in the middle of it but your dad. He had been across the street to pick up Freddy and saw my car in the parking lot so he came over. I stepped outside to talk and he just wanted to thank me for the weekend since he had so much fun. He got all choked up since he was feeling depressed that it was over, you guys were back with your mom, and he was alone again. But if he really wanted to be with someone, he could, he just wants to spend all of his free time with you two, to not share a moment with someone else instead. Holly is so much like that with Ryan. her world revolves around him. She was upset about having to bring him to school the next day where she would not be  able to talk to him for four nights while he went to an environmental camp with his 6th (or 7th?) grade class. As you three get a little older and more independent, it's going to be a challenge for them adjusting!
 

In the dining room at Mountaineer Inn

Your dad taking advantage of breakfast buffet

Pool sharks in the making?

Noah and Uncle Don waiting for dinner at Tres Amigos

Ryan and Dylan doing what tweens and the rest of the world spend too much time doing!