Boston Trip 2010

We took a quick trip to Boston for our anniversary last week. Our good friends were kind and took Abby for a few days so we could venture out on our own. (Thanks guys, you're the best!) It was really nice to just drive and chat together for hours and enjoy some time.

Boston is a place that we have always wanted to see and it definitely lived up to our expectations. It is a place where lots of history is nestled inside the big city. There was much we wanted to see so we got some good exercise 'running' to all the sites and places, trying to experience everything we could. Something we did was use the 'Go Pass' and that was a great way to see LOTS and for cheap. We were even able to enjoy some relaxing time by the beach as well. In 3 days we were able to see Concord, Lexington, New Hampshire, Downtown Boston, Plymouth, and Salem. (Out East, it's easy to see many places in a short time since it's a condensed together. ) We loved the atmosphere of New England, it is a beautiful place, a place we hope to see again someday. We arrived just as some of the leaves were starting to change and the weather was perfect...such good memories. I love spending time with my best friend.

Boston, MA

Sailing the sea

We got a 'Go Card' while we were there. With this card we were able to see lots of sites and sail for really cheap. Brett's favorite was sailing.

Streets of Boston

USS Constitution, the oldest battleship still afloat today.

Harvard University

Mike's Pastry, a famously delicious piece of heaven in Boston. We shared this and the picture doesn't give it justice.

Bridge over the Public Gardens

A walk through the Public Gardens at sunset...BEAUTIFUL! (This is where the children's book "Make Way for Ducklings" came from. )

Enjoying the sunset from the bridge.

Highlights from walking the Freedom Trail....

The Old North Church where Paul Revere passed. Here is where the 2 lanterns were hung on his night ride.

Graveyard where many influential Patriots were buried.

Wall of tags in honor of those who have lost their lives in the War on Terror. It was a big, long wall full of tags, pretty sobering. Thanks to all those who serve and have served!

Boston Aquarium

Concord, MA

The Old North Bridge where the first battle of the American Revolution was fought..."The shot heard round the world."

Pond near the Old North Bridge. I could sit here for hours.

Orchard House, where the Alcott's lived. Little Women was one of my favorite books my mom would read to me when I was younger.

Walden Pond

Lexington, MA

Where the first shot was fired.

Salem, MA

Beautiful lighthouse in Salem.

Where the Salem Witch Trials were held.

New Hampshire

The beach as the sun was beginning to set.

Plymouth, MA

Plymouth Rock

First church in Plymouth

Beach Bumb

Last week we took a day trip to the beach with our good friends. We had a great time and Abby was in paradise. There were even a few dolphins that swam by in the distance. Abby played in the sand and Brett did the boogie board and body surfed for hours. On our way back from the beach we stopped and bought some fresh farm produce from the side of the road...YUM! We had such a fun day! Abby woke up the next morning and said "Beach Mommy?" She wanted to go again. I think the beach is something we will need to make a summer tradition since it isn't too far away. We love the ocean!

Building a sandcastle

Abby and Gabbi...best buddies.

Four Great Years!

Today marks four wonderful years together! I can't believe how fast time travels and how much can change. I have to say that I love Brett even more deeply today than I did the day we got married. He is one amazing husband and father. I love how he always looks for the best in everything. Abby, Baby Girl and I are very blessed to have him forever.

I love you Babe! Happy Anniversary!

Lots of Estrogen at Our House...

We found out we are having another little girl! We couldn't be happier to have her come into our family. Brett will now be very outnumbered. I hope Abby and this baby can become really good friends. We can't wait to meet her.

Journey Out West 2010

It has been a wild, fun month! We have traveled all over and experienced much. July was wild because Brett took the dreaded BAR Exam. Abby and I took off to spend time with family a few weeks before Brett had the test so he could really focus. We felt bad that we were all having fun while he had to sit and study for hours upon hours back home. Once he was done, it was time to relax. He met us out in Utah and we enjoyed family, reunions, friends and the gorgeous mountains. It was the perfect trip to just get away after all that studying and stress. Thanks for such a great time everyone! We had the perfect vacation time visiting with both our families.

(I apologize for the MANY photos that will follow this post. I use this as a type of journal, so ignore what you want. :) )

First stop was Utah. We had a wonderful time with the Ashton Clan. My parents were very kind and did a fun trip to Yellowstone and it was such a nice getaway. Abby had a blast walking the trials with Nani, Pops and Sippy. The weather was perfect and the company couldn't have been better. :)

Some other highlights of Utah were: Abby's birthday, family reunions and picnics, trips to DQ for a classic blizzard made by Laura, 24th of July festivities and parades, reunions with friends, Cafe Rio, Wheeler Farm, playing at the parks with Nani and Pops, and just spending time at the house. It was a very memorable and fun trip! Thanks for a great time! We love you! xoxo

Brett took this picture from the top of the Falls.

Heaven.

We love the mountains, it's so nice to get away and just enjoy nature.

Abby cuddling up to her Nani.

Abby was in heaven with family, it was so hard to leave them.

Mammoth Hot Springs

Abby hiked over 325 stairs with Pops. She insisted on doing it all by herself saying...'I do it Mommy.' I didn't think she would make it up all the stairs, but she did and loved it. Going down was a different story....

Enjoying the one and only...Old Faithful...still blowin'.

Traveling the trails with Pops, having a great time.

Pops and Abby picking out rocks...it's tradition. My brothers always use to get so excited to pick out rocks when we went on trips, so Pops wanted to carry it on to the next generation. Abby loves her rocks, in fact, she has been carrying them around the house. Her rocks are affectionately called: 'Pop rocks'.

Mammoth Hot Springs

Fun with cousins at the family picnic. This picture is one of the few moments they were actually sitting.

The picture above is from the 24th of July Parade. We were passing out flags for my moms work.

Abby at Wheeler Farm.

Pops assured us that is was fine to feed the animals. He proceeded to feed them half a loaf of bread...opps. The chickens were very happy to see him.

Do you see a pattern here? Pops was breaking all the rules at Wheeler Farm. Here he is bonding with the turkey. They had quite the conversation as you can see from the video.

Abby having her first pony ride at Wheeler Farm. She was scared at first, but was giggling in no time. She had been begging to ride a pony and finally got her chance.

Video #1 is of Abby and Laura dancing. Abby would beg Sippy to dance with her in the living room. If I tried to come join them she would say: 'No Mommy, you no dance,' and would close the door. She wanted to just dance with Nani and Sippy because obviously I don't have good dance moves. (Who wants to watch a prego lady dance anyway.) :) It was really cute to watch them.

Video #2 is pretty entertaining. See if you can the difference between my dad's turkey call and the turkey. We wish we could have caught more video of the classic moment.

Video #3 is Makaylee and Abby having a blast on the trampoline. It was so fun to be with family.