WARNING: TEN DAYS WORTH OF PICTURES!
When my sister Lisa moved out to New Hampshire for her husband's residency, we knew we'd go visit at some point during their 5 years there. Since we wanted to take the kids we decided it'd be best to plan the trip for before Jacob was two and we'd have to pay for him to fly. And what better time of year to visit New England than in the fall?
One of the things Emily needed to do for school was to make a book about the things we did. She did a great job on it so I just had to include it for your enjoyment.
We left on Oct 4th and flew to Denver and then to Boston. Man, that second flight was l.o.n.g. There happened to be one extra seat on both flights so we brought Jacob's carseat along. The first let wasn't that bad. The kids were easily entertained and still excited about being on an airplane. The second flight Jacob got more restless and was enjoying kicking the seat in front of him - which the guy had reclined so it was easier for him to reach. After several attempts at trying to get him to stop kicking and a few dirty looks from the guy who chose to sit in front of a two year old, Jeff held Jacob's legs down so he couldn't kick. Jacob's piercing screams soon got Jeff to let go though. Finally our only option was to pull him out of the carseat. I held him and finally got him to calm down a little bit but couldn't get him to eat anything I'd brought. Finally he decided to drink his milk and he passed out in my arms. The next couple hours were the best yet. We didn't land in Boston till 11:30pm. It was a really long day and a really late night.
Jeff and I spent several hours each looking for a hotel in Boston. We had several specific things we needed (fridge for Jacob's milk, a bed for us AND a bed or pull out for Emily, a crib for Jacob, and close walking distance to the subway since we weren't renting a car) and a few things we'd like (free breakfast, shuttle from the airport). We thought we'd found the perfect place several times, only to read reviews and find out that it wasn't in the safest area and people didn't feel comfortable. We then added another item to our must have list which seemed to make our search even more impossible. Pretty much all hotels in Boston are expensive and we finally ended up having to bump up our price in order to find something. But we are SO happy with our decision. We finally found an Embassy Suites at the Logan Airport. Surprisingly we didn't hear planes at all. We had a separate bedroom for us, couch pulled out for a bed for Emily, they had a crib for Jacob, a LARGE table we could sit at, free amazingly good breakfast (made to order omelets), a manager's reception every night with lots of different appetizers, a swimming pool & hot tub, free shuttle from the airport, and the subway was just a few minute walk ... THROUGH A PARK. Yup, right outside our hotel was a large park. The hotel could not have been more perfect!
Wednesday was mine and Jeff's day. We dragged the kids to as many historical sights as possible. We followed the Freedom Trail a lot of the time and Emily loved walking on it. Here we are at the USS Constitution. It was a beautiful ship. For her 200th birthday in 1997 they actually took her out to sea. She is the oldest commissioned warship afloat and in the war of 1812 British cannonballs just bounced off of her giving her the nickname "Old Ironsides."
The Old State House. This was the seat of the British government before the revolution (the lion and unicorn represent England and Scotland?) and then it served as the Commonwealth's first capital building (the lion and unicorn were torn down and burned). The declaration of independence was first read to the people of Boston from the deck pictured below. And the Boston Massacre - which 'started' the revolutionary war - happened right outside these doors.
We stopped at Quincy Market and ate lunch and then Emily picked out her treat - a giant cookie. Then she got her first souvenir - a sparkly bracelet with sparkly letters that spelled out her name.
King's Chapel (first Anglican Church in Boston) ~ King's Chapel Burial Ground (Boston's first cemetery & the first woman to step off the Mayflower is buried there) ~ Granary Burial Ground (when King's Chapel cemetery was becoming too full, they 'built' this one. It has 3 signers of the declaration, Benjamin Franklin's parents, and is over 350 years old) ~ Faneuil Hall (marketplace in 1742 and continues to host lots of stores today) ~ Park Street Church (prison reform began in this church, women's suffrage was strongly supported here, and some of the first protests against slavery were delivered inside. "My Country Tis of Thee" was first sung on it's front steps on July 4, 1831)
Emily playing in front of the New State House (built 213 years ago). Thew New State House is right across the street from Boston Common (America's oldest public park). Emily loved chasing the squirrels around and seeing the frog statues at the frog pond.
Sign posted outside of the New State House (where government officials still have their offices). We couldn't resist taking a picture.
Fenway Park (home of the Boston Red Sox and the Green Monster) ~ Cheers (the bar the tv show was based off) ~ a view of Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge ~ Monument marker for the Boston Latin School (oldest public school - 4 signers of the declaration of independence attended one of which was Benjamin Franklin - however he dropped out and never graduated)
Emily, Jeff & a sleeping Jacob in front of the Old South Meeting House - also pictured below (it was a Puritan meeting house and it was here that they held a meeting to get tea sent back to England. After their attempt failed they dumped 342 crates of tea into the sea - The Boston Tea Party) ~ Lantern (the lanterns lighting this street have stayed on for hundred years or so. They decided it cost more to have someone come out and turn them off and on everyday so they just left them on. The city still leaves them on as part of 'tradition')
When we were walking back to our hotel we asked Emily if she knew the way. She climbed up a lamp post to check it out (she was able to navigate us through the park and 'home' all by herself).
Swimming at the hotel
Thursday was Emily & Jacob's day. We took the train back down town and went to the Children's Museum. There were a lot of really great exhibits and the kids had a blast. (Can you see Emily's little face in the picture below?)
Emily climbed right to the top (3 stories tall). Jacob on the other hand was more interested in a little girl that was playing at the bottom and just stayed with her despite all of our attempts to get him to follow Emily.
Pulling the cord and letting go would shoot a ball straight up. If you pulled it all the way the ball would shoot up to the 2nd floor.
Playing with bubbles. They loved being IN a bubble.
They had a million golf balls and all kinds of ramps and gadgets to send the balls through.
While I took Emily to an actually Japanese house that they brought over from Japan (surprise, surprise), Jeff took Jacob to the little kids area where he immediately went to work terrorizing the town with a giant zebra and pig.
After a while Jeff and Jacob passed out. Emily I continued to play until it was time to head back home.
After getting off the train we told the kids they could play at the park for a little bit. Even after having a full day of running around climbing and playing, they still had lots of energy to run around the park. Again, we were so lucky to have found such a great hotel!
After eating leftovers for dinner (yeah again for having a fridge and microwave!) the kids enjoyed a movie before bed. (The picture below also shows how large the table was in our room)
Friday we finally got to see Aunt Lisa!!! We hadn't seen her since February and were so excited for her to arrive on Friday - one so we could see her cute pregnant tummy! After loading all of stuff in her car we headed to the Bunker Hill Monument. Jeff & Emily really wanted to climb to the top so we all trudged up the 296 steps.
On our way out of Boston we stopped to see the Boston temple.
Then we drove up to Kittery, Maine to see the coast. We stopped at a beach and ran around for 15 minutes. It was a bit cold - we needed jackets and hats, but it didn't seem to phase the kids at all. They LOVED it. Jacob ended up falling face first into a small pool of water, luckily we had our suitcases in the car though and could get him warmed up.
We stopped and saw the Nubble Lighthouse before heading to Lisa's house in New Hampshire. She had a yummy dinner all ready for us in the crock pot and Spencer was there to greet us. We were excited to see their cute little house and just catch up and visit with them.
Spencer worked 3 1/2 straight weeks so he could have some time off for all his guests. We decided to hit the Harvest Festival at Billings Farm in nearby Vermont. One of the first things we did was try to eat an apple hanging from a tree without using your hands. It was entertaining to watch.
Jacob sleeping through the apple eating
Next we watch a demonstration on how to make butter. It was really interesting! We now know where buttermilk comes from. The kids each took a turn churning the butter and then we all got samples on some crackers afterwards.
The kids tried their hand at some old fashioned games while Jeff, Spencer, & Lisa relaxed and watched.
The kids raced each other in sacks. Jacob actually did really well and made it to the end without falling down. On the way back though I think he got tired and just ended up laying down. He stayed there until Emily went to help him and then he just got up and ran.
Emily & Jacob trying their hand at making ice cream.
Checking out all the dairy cows. Emily didn't like the smell. Lisa and I were amazed at how large their udders were. Thank heavens we don't get that big when we nurse!!
After the farm we drove through Woodstock, Vermont and ate a late lunch at Bentley's.
On our way back to home we stopped at Quechee Gorge. My parents, brothers, and sister Jenny all came here when they visited Lisa & Spence this past summer. It looked completely different for us. Vermont was hit very hard by hurricane Irene in August and had their worst flooding in centuries. We still hiked down to the river, but it was very muddy.
Below is a picture of a chain link fence. The mud had risen so high you could only see the top foot or two. The branches and leaves were also caked in mud several feet above us.
Sunday we attended church with Lisa & Spencer and then had a relaxing afternoon. After Jacob's nap we got dressed up and went into Lisa's backyard to take some family pictures. Jacob was a ham at first and then became a stinker and wouldn't cooperate in the end. I think we were able to get some good ones though. Thanks Lisa & Spencer for your help!
I took a few moments to snap some pictures of Lisa & Spencer too.
That night after dinner Spencer made us some yummy white chocolate popcorn!
Spencer also had Monday off so we went back into Vermont up to the Franconia Notch National Park. The drive was absolutely beautiful. About halfway into our drive, Spencer & Lisa blew a tire. Putting on their spare and stopping at several tire stores in the next town significantly delayed our plans. But we were all safe and everything was ok.
These are all shots from the car as we were driving.
We stopped in a campground and had our picnic lunch. Then the kids and Jeff threw rocks and sticks in the creek.
We finally made it to The Flume and hiked the couple of miles in beautiful mountains. It was really rocky and the roots of the trees were all over. It was amazing.
We hiked through tall rock walls with the river running next to or underneath us. It was loud, cool, and beautiful. After reaching the top of the falls we continued on a trail that led us to a couple caves, a large pool and a covered bridge. Again we couldn't have asked for better weather.
Tuesday Spencer took us on a tour of the hospital and then we had lunch with him. The kids both loved it when we had Spencer around, especially Jacob. He loved following him around and playing with him and he called him Da-der.
After lunch we hiked Gile Hill. It was a little hike through some gorgeous woods. At the top was a fire tower that we were able to climb and see an amazing view of the area.
Across the street from the base of the trail an older man was unloading wood from his truck. I loved seeing his winter supply all stacked up right outside his door. Things in New England are so much more laid back and private. The houses aren't nearly as big and showy as they are here.
Tues and Wed afternoon's Lisa taught piano. The kids were really good at being quiet during that time. They loved sitting right in the doorway to the piano room and listening to the kids play. Lisa said her kids played better knowing that they had an audience.
Wednesday we went to Riverview farms so Lisa could pick out some pumpkins. The kids had a lot of fun loading up wagons and pulling them around. Most were to heavy for Jacob to even lift, but he found those he could and grunted the whole time he moved them.
After pumpkins we picked some raspberries. I have no clue how many we actually picked since it was impossible to keep Emily & Jacob's hands out of the carton.
We ate lunch and then the kids sat in a wagon and finished off the raspberries within minutes. Below is also a picture of Lisa enjoying a rather tasty doughnut. A couple blocks from her house is a doughnut shop, Muriel's. Muriel is only open Mon-Fri for two hours, but her doughnuts have repeatedly been voted New Hampshire's best. We of course had to stop and try them out ... twice.
After eating we decided to head back only to discover the keys had been locked in the car. So while we waited for AAA (which Jeff conveniently signed up for right before we left town) we decided to do a corn maze. Emily was very excited for the maze and was a great leader, taking us right to the finish without any problem. Jacob on the other hand was ready for a nap and wasn't very happy to have to keep following us through paths of corn. He kept wandering off and wanting to hide in the stalks.
Another 'must' my family insisted on us trying was the hard and soft serve ice cream at I Scream for You. We were only too happy to fulfill this suggestion. The black raspberry was to die for! Emily of course always opted for chocolate and below is a picture of how much she enjoyed it - enough that she decided to stuff it up her nose for later. :) Actually she was leaning in to lick when she slipped off the bench and shoved her nose right into her cone. Unfortunately Lisa was the only one who actually saw the event take place.
Thursday was rather dreary but we decided to make the most of it. We finally made it out to Sharon, Vermont - Joseph Smith's birthplace. The senior missionary serving there gave us an excellent tour and then we walked around the obelisk. Even despite the rain it really was beautiful. There were still flowers all over, a fog hung around the trees, and Tab music was playing all around. It was such a peaceful place to be.
After we met up with Spencer for lunch at the 'Holy' KFC. 'Holy' because it's the location of where Joseph Smith's cabin was when he was 7 years old and had groundbreaking surgery on his leg.
Then we headed to Dartmouth College to see an original Book of Mormon - stopping briefly so I could snap the picture below.
We stopped at the Rauner Library where they have all of their old books. Surprisingly we were allowed to touch the book and flip through it as much as we wanted. They even said pictures were fine. It was really neat not only to see the book, but to touch it. We of course realized right away that an almost 200 year old book and a 2 year old weren't a good combination. So we took shifts watching Jacob climb in and out of the lockers in the foyer.
Friday we searched the house for every toy, crayon and shoe we could and packed up to head home. Lisa drove us the hour and a half to the Manchester Airport. And while it was a sad parting, I don't think we had tears running down our faces as Emily's picture depicts. We enjoyed our time immensely and we're so grateful for Lisa and Spencer's generosity and willingness to put up limited access to their office, an almost constant line for the bathroom and spaghetti noodles on their window. Thanks guys! We miss you so much already and can't wait til you come home for Christmas!
Friday we searched the house for every toy, crayon and shoe we could and packed up to head home. Lisa drove us the hour and a half to the Manchester Airport. And while it was a sad parting, I don't think we had tears running down our faces as Emily's picture depicts. We enjoyed our time immensely and we're so grateful for Lisa and Spencer's generosity and willingness to put up limited access to their office, an almost constant line for the bathroom and spaghetti noodles on their window. Thanks guys! We miss you so much already and can't wait til you come home for Christmas!
