Bonding with Becky in Boston

I have wanted to go to Boston and see all the fun historical sites ever since Jared and Brittany were there doing all sorts of fun outings. Well, I didn't make it there then, but I had the opportunity to go this summer. Becky and Joel were so wonderful taking me all around, being my tour guide and taxi:) I had so much fun, and it was a great review on my U.S. History.

Thursday was a beautiful day and perfect for a lot of walking. The first thing Becky had me do was read the children's book "Make Way For Ducklings," which the setting was taken in Boston and talked about the Swan Boats and the ducks finding a home in the Public Gardens. That way, I would know the significance of riding on the Swan Boat. 

 Then we went and found the Mallard Ducks from the book...a favorite for the kids. 

 Here we are on the bridge overlooking the pond which we took the boat ride. There's an island in the background where the Mallard Ducks found there home in the book.

Here we are at Acorn Street

The famous George Washington statue (I saw a lot of statues, monuments, and houses so if I get any of these mixed up, Becky, Jared...someone will have to correct me:)

Then we started our walk along the Freedom Trail. Thank goodness for a nice day and 2 well behaved kids. Aubrey and Parker did amazing! I thought all this was interesting but I'm sure being dragged to various old buildings and tours all day (and week) couldn't have been too exciting for the youngens. 

 Along this trail marks several places significant to the U.S. and the American Revolution.

(If you can't read it, it says: Site of the Boston Massacre)

 Old State House: Boston Massacre by this building

 We got cannolis at Mike's Pastries. Yum! See Parker eyeballing them?:)

 Old North Church where Paul Revere had the lantern signals set in the windows:

"One if by land, and two if by sea; and I on the opposite shore will be."-Paul Revere's Ride

I took a tour of Paul Revere's House

Here's the State Capitol Building

There was so much to see on the Freedom Trail. We got good exercise in our walking all day, right up till we picked up Joel from work and then they took me to Regina's Pizza-THE pizza place in Boston. 

I loved it!

 

 Becky took me to see Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's House, which was also George Washington's Headquarters. I took a tour of it and you could see how Longfellow honored Washington and wanted to know this was his home as he left a picture of him in every room in the house. Beautiful. 

Becky took me to their favorite Japanese restaurant called Wagamamma's for lunch, which I loved, and we walked around Harvard Square for a bit.

 On Joel's Day off, he drove us to Newport, Rhode Island where Becky and I took a tour through the Breaker's Mansion while Joel waited with the kids. So kind. This was the summer home of the Vanderbelt family (he was Pres. of the NY Central Railroad system in 1880s). Amazing! It is huge, and very ornate and elegant... in an Italian Renaissance style.

We stopped by the beach for a bit. Sooo windy, but pretty!

This is from a tower at a cemetery in Boston. Such a gorgeous view...I would love to see it in the Fall! I've discovered I love the cemeteries in Boston.

Another house I toured was Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House (Little Women's home). I found the similarities and differences between the life of the real Alcott's and those from book/movie interesting. I still feel Jo should have married Laurie, but Louisa May never desired to be married and was hesitant enough having to marry off Jo-which portrayed her, so she did it in an unexpected way. And her father was never in the war, but she was a nurse in it. And Laurie didn't really become part of the March family. Some things I never knew. A lot of tours on this trip, but I found them all interesting.

We visited the cemetery where these famous writers are buried: Henry Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Louisa May Alcott, and Ralph Waldo Emerson

 Here we are standing on the Old North Bridge in Concord where shots were taken at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. "A shot heard 'round the world." The site of the first American victory in the war 

This is the side of the bridge the Colonial "Militia" was on

Walden Pond-very peaceful and beautiful. No swimming today, though, much to Aubrey's dismay. It was a bit too overcast for that

Henry D. Thoreau's cabin at Walden Pond

And I of course had to touch the toe of the statue at Harvard University... for good luck, I guess. It's a beautiful campus. 

Boston was so fun! The roads are busy and make no sense to me. So many crazy drivers and, of course, no parking. I had a great time seeing all the sites! I also went to the Shake Shack (a big hamburger place there now), got some hot chocolate at some big place there, I can't remember, and went through the Boston Temple. I wish I could have seen the USS Constitution and Bunker Hill but ran out of days to do things. Becky and Joel were so wonderful to take me everywhere. Thank you! I had a great time with my sister! It was funny seeing all the people in her ward do double-takes as they think for a moment I might be Becky. Everyone says we look so much a like, and sometimes we get asked if we're twins:) The Presiding Bishop, Elder Davies (gave a talk in the last conference), was at their sacrament meeting and bore his testimony. He was in Boston for his daughter's wedding. Pretty neat.

I'm so glad I was able to take this much needed and welcomed vacation!

Happy Mother's Day!

 What a special day this has been! I love Mother's Day and am so grateful to be among so many women as we journey through this special calling of motherhood. At times it is certainly a challenge. However, the laughter expressed throughout the day, seeing their progress and knowledge grow in school and the gospel, the memories that are created, and knowing that Heavenly Father has entrusted me with His children makes it a joy and a privilege to be their mother! I love these 2 kiddos! As you can see they love my attention, and I have to remember to balance everything out when life is busy so I keep spending quality time with them. There's no other job more important than being a mom!

I was treated very well today. I woke up to flowers, chocolates, shampoo, and a nice note. Keira gave me a vase she painted at school and Thomas drew me a picture. So grateful for loving family members and sweet children who were so excited to give me their gifts! And at church we got a cupcake from the ward, and a brownie from Relief Society. You can never have too many goodies:)

I have so many strong and admirable women in my life that I look up to. These 3, specifically, have greatly influenced who I am and have been amazing examples to me. They are the best mothers and grandmothers! (I should add that GM Bunker is also bunched in with these fine ladies. I don't have any pictures of her on my computer, though.)

I'm not sure how mom kept her sanity with all us crazy kids, but she always had time for us and I always knew she loved me...unconditionally. 

I have been blessed with 2 absolutely wonderful mothers! Pam has loved me as her own from the very beginning. I love spending time with her and couldn't have asked for a better step-mother! (I need to get more pictures of you, mom :)

 And the matriarchs of the family. They are both incredible women! I have learned so much from their wisdom and testimonies. I hope to live up to the legacy of love and faith they have shown their family.

Thank you for being the women I can look up to and strive to be like! I am so grateful for the close relationship we have and the many fun memories together.

I love you all! 

Happy Mother's Day to you and to all my sisters and girl friends!

Catching up

I must say it has been wonderful not having to worry about school right now! I am now on summer break...Wahoo! It's been nice having that extra time with Thomas and Keira and being able to help out more around here. I have also enjoyed getting out and having some fun. I have Bryce to thank for that. Who knew that after 10 years, since BYU-Idaho, I would be able to catch up with someone I never thought I would see again? Well, it's been a blast! 

Thomas and Keira met Bryce when he took us to the Classic Fun Center. The kids could have stayed there all day playing. We were definitely tuckered out by the time we left:)

Who wouldn't love rollerskating? (This is their first time)...

 A little pizza...

Lots of climbing... and sliding... and bouncing on the inflatable slides...

And plenty of times through the Jungle Gym Playground?

I've lived in Utah for 7 years and hadn't climbed the "Y," so I was given the opportunity last week when Bryce took me up. It was one of the things I had on my little "bucket list" that I can now say I did. :) Such a beautiful view!

Thomas's first Pinewood Derby. I feel so awkward when it comes to Scouts. You would think I would know better about what's going on with as many brothers as I had that did Scouts, but I guess I didn't pay very much attention. Thomas LOVES Scouts, though, and had a great time with racing his car for this event. And he is so excited for baseball season that is now starting for him

And here is my little beauty in her ballet costume. Her recital this year is a part in the "Cinderella" ballet the whole ballet academy puts on. I'm not allowed to video or take pictures during the performance, and I will miss the dress rehearsal when I am in Boston, so I took my own pictures at home and got a little video during her class (although I ran out of space on my camera, so sorry for the ending being cut off)

Of course, she wanted a goofy one (or scary?)

Here's your glimpse of her dance. I wish I got the whole thing

So cute! I love my little ballerina!

I don't have any pictures of my birthday, but I've hit a milestone in my life. Can't believe I'm 30! I had a fun time celebrating! Everyone was so good to me! Thank you!

Sorry for randomness. Things are going well for me and I plan on enjoying my summer break!