Collins and Holden

We stayed after church on Sunday so that I could meet with a bride and groom. Todd entertained the little ones in the youth room. When it was time to go, no one wanted to put on their shoes. So Todd suggested that they wear each others shoes. They thought it was hysterical! And it works, because they both wear a size 8.

New Hampshire

After our time in Boston, we headed for New Hampshire for some relaxation and time together. We didn't have much luck choosing restaurants, but it was a treat to be with this guy.

Granddad and Baba sent pictures of the little kids. They were having fun without us.

Todd was sweet to honor my wishes to stay in a bed and breakfast. This is the Henry Whipple House in Bristol, NH. It was delightful. Run by a very capable British woman, we were treated to delicious breakfast, great hospitality and time to be alone together.

On Wednesday we left the bed and breakfast to find a hiking trail. Ultimately we got rained out, but we found this lovely bridge and stream.

Since we were in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire we found a lake. We took time to sit, talk and pray together. 

And yes, like a teenage girl I drew our initials in the sand.

More selfies on this trip than in the whole past year I think.

Our final evening in New Hampshire we spent at a quaint restaurant overlooking Newfound Lake.

By Thursday morning it was time to leave. We had breakfast at the Henry Whipple House and then departed for the Boston airport.

On the plane and headed back to Texas.

Boston, Part 3

Our second day in Boston started with breakfast at the hotel and then a commute on the subway to Cambridge. We wanted to visit Harvard University.

Harvard Square

Gateway says: Enter to grow in wisdom, and the other side reads: Depart to better serve thy country and thy kind.

Across the street from Harvard was this adorable Curious George store. The sign says it is the only one in the world. It was a fun spot to find a take-home present for Collins.

We strolled all over Boston. That is Todd in this picture. I loved the crooked little streets.

Lunch gave us more energy to tackle the Bunker Hill Monument.

On our way to Bunker Hill, we passed Paul Revere again. 

We also stopped in to see a demonstration of how they printed copies of the Declaration of Independence in Boston.

This was the press. Can you even imagine putting thousands of letters in one by one in order to print a document? Wow! This little shop sells the copies of the Declaration for $17.76. Clever!

Finally we made it to Bunker Hill - or Breed's Hill (where the battle was actually fought).

We climbed this tower. It was 294 steps to the top. At the top I felt like I was going to puke. So while I took deep breaths, Todd took pictures overlooking Boston.

Boston, Part 2

From the Old North Church was walked a long way over to Charleston where we saw the USS Constitution. The Constitution is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy, named by President George Washington after the Constitution of the United States. Can you tell I utilized Wikipedia for that definition? The ships and museums were closing for the day so, after seeking advice from a feisty park ranger named Jane, we took the ferry back to the part of Boston where we had started from.

By now we were hungry! We chose Carmelina's and it did not disappoint. I had a caprese salad that was so yummy and then a gnocchi pasta. Todd had the house ravioli and short ribs. 

One thing I loved was that most of the restaurants had windows/ doors that slid open so that even though you were sitting inside, it felt like you were outside. Believe me, it was lovely weather compared to a Houston summer. This is a view from our table at Carmelina's - the whole front of the restaurant was open!

After dinner we crossed the street to sample some sweets at Mike's Pastry. Someone had told us that Mike's was famous so we had to try it. We had a Boston Cream Puff. It was average. 

It was still light so we walked to the site of the Boston Massacre.

Passed by this very old burial ground.

And even made it to Boston Commons. We didn't venture too far in, as it seemed a little sketchy. Though I wish we would have walked down to the water where the Redcoats would have boarded boats to head to Lexington and Concord.

It was time to head back to the hotel, so we boarded the subway and I took a selfie.

Our Getaway! Boston, Part 1

With the boys safely at Kamp, we returned to Fort Worth on Sunday. Sweet Ashley Robbins sent us this picture of Colton and Shay just finished with breakfast in the dining hall. Todd and I both thought that Colton looked very happy.

On Monday morning Todd and I were headed to the airport! We had planned a trip to Boston and New Hampshire without kids! Collins and Holden stayed with Granddad and Baba in Fort Worth while we were gone. 4:45 AM Wake up call!

In Boston we hit the ground running. I have always wanted to go to Boston and see firsthand some of the sights from early America. We traveled the Freedom Trail which is a brick trail that winds all through Boston and leads you to 16 different historical spots important during the time of the American Revolution. We started at Fanueil Hall. This hall has been a marketplace and meeting hall since 1743. Now designated as a National Historical Park, there were park rangers there who had lots of information to share.

Now this isn't a spot on the Freedom Trail, but it is a very old tavern and we shared a delicious lunch there. We ordered New England clam chowder and a lobster roll. It was so good!

Our next stop was Paul Revere's house. We learned that Paul Revere had been married twice and he had eight children with each of his wives. 16 kids! A teenager in front of us said, "Wow, Paul Revere was busy." He got a good laugh from several folks in the tour.

From there we walked to the Old North Church. This statue of Revere stands in the courtyard of the church.

Inside the church you could see the congregational boxes where church members sat. You can't climb up to the steeple, but you can watch a video!

Outside view of the church.