So the first weekend in July we headed up to Boston to visit my sister Caroline and her hubby Jayde. Brian's family was kind enough to watch the kiddos so we could have this nice weekend away. It was a lot of fun. We spent one day touring downtown Boston. Caroline was a great tour guide and had a lot of great information to share with us. It's almost like she'd been there a time or two. (hehe)
We did a lot of walking that day and I was ready to die by the time we climbed up the Bunker Hill Monument. It wasn't that bad climbing up, it was down that started working on me pretty good. We got to the top and I don't know if we even stayed up there 3 minutes because a group of boy scouts came up and they were all sweaty and stinky and that was it for me! :)
After we got down my legs were jello! Laying there on the grass with the breeze blowing was a heavenly moment.
On the way back down through the city to our car we stopped by this pastry shop that is known to be delish so we grabbed a few cannolis and a heavenly cupcake! Ate back all our calories we burned walking that day, but so worth it! It was like soup nazi kitchen from Seinfeld. You forced your way up to the counter and yelled out your order and pushed your way back out. Quite the experience!
And as if the cannoli wasn't enough, we had to go out and get the best ice cream I've probably ever had. Not just once, but twice! And they were huge ice cream cones and so worth it! I justified them from our long day of walking and our next day's 13+ mile bike ride!
Day 2 was spent at Lexington and Concord. Caroline and Jayde were right! The bike ride made it was more fun. It was way fun! Perfect weather and just relaxing. We had a great time with them.
That night we went to the beach and everyone got in but me. I was just thrilled to sit at a beach and relax with my eyes closed and not worry about a kid drowning. Besides, Brian only lasted about 30 minutes and got out because he was numb so I was just fine not getting in! It was pretty and relaxing.
Our drive back was Brian's bday. He was nice enough to sacrifice it since it was our only weekend available to go up to Boston. On the way back we stopped for lunch at this great bbq place! It was yummy! We got back to the farm in time to celebrate my awesome hubby's bday with pie. It was a great trip.
A few days later was Bella's bday. Once the kids were done with school, we picked them up and went to Chucky Cheese. She wanted to go, so we did. We got back and had some pizza and then Elizabeth got Bella dressed up as a princess and so we had to take some pictures. There were so many beautiful ones of her. She's very photogenic!
She wanted a fairy cake so I did my best. Liz made the most perfect little duck for our pond. She seemed pleased with it.
My Grandpa Porter passed away a few weeks later. It was unexpected and expected. He'd been getting weaker and weaker and one day he just stopped responding. Even though I knew it was coming, it was still hard. He was a great person and had such a love for family and family history. He did a lot of documenting of his life and ancestors and Nana's life. He devoted a lot of time putting together all that he knew and could find about our ancestors, quite a treasure really. I love him and will miss him.
Brian and his family were so kind to help out again as I left for a week to attend the funeral and be with my family. I felt bad leaving my kids again but wanted to be there for my Dad and be there for the funeral. Although the circumstances were sad, it was a wonderful and relaxing trip. It was great to see all my cousins and aunts and uncles and my sweet Nana. Sure love all of them.
Was also able to have a great night with the "originals". We went shopping and out to dinner and then got some ice cream after. I am blessed with such a wonderful family. I love all of them and love being with them. It's nice to sometimes get together without the kids so we can really enjoy each other's company.
Love my sisters... even the orange haired one. Hahaha! The day before we bleached Jill's hair, cut Caroline's and dyed mine black, although it was supposed to be "natural dark brown". It was black! The first go round I had tiger stripes since my sister's didn't cover all the hair. It was a temporary hair color though so it's ok. I ended up liking it after the second round to cover the spots that didn't take. Jill put on 4 boxes to achieve a beautiful orange, then to dye it the color I was trying for in the first place. Too funny. Melanie was the practical one who left the way she came.
My last day there we took a quick hike around Secret Lake. It's my kind of hike. No real hike, just walking around the lake on flat ground. It was beautiful and so nice to be there with my parents and in Utah. It's a great place!
I promised Liz and Sydney we'd do a bake sale. They made about $40 in 1 hour. I think we may have found a way to put Liz through college. Haha! They had fun and made plans for another one later in the summer. Cooper was great at jumping around getting attention. It was a success.
July was lots of good times with good people. People I love and am blessed to be party of a family with, especially my little nuggets. We've had a lot of fun with the trampoline this year. Just had to grab one with 3 of my 5 munchkins. Love all of them!