I realize this is not the optimal picture to post first on this Boston Trip (Andy and I all sweaty at the top of the Bunker Hill Memorial), but somehow I missed it and it was a fun little accomplishment to document, so I'm adding it last - which means it gets to be first! I'll give more details below! Hope you enjoy the historical monuments, etc. of Boston as we did!
Andy and I were so excited this past summer to find out that Andy's Mom could watch the kiddos while I snuck (according to spell check snuck is not a word, but I believe the spell check must be mistaken) over with him to Boston on his business trip! I'd never been and it is always fun to tag along with my guy :)! While the trip ended up being a day and a half longer than expected and we had to work a few things out, thanks to family and friends, it all worked out wonderfully. We were so happy that we were able to switch our plane tickets from Salt Lake to Boston to Spokane, WA to Boston to enjoy the sweet experience of witnessing (a post from earlier this month) my grandparents being sealed in the temple! So, it was an extra special, extra long trip and we are so grateful to everyone who helped make it possible!!!
We flew all through the night from Washington (with 2, 2 hour layovers - one of which was ironically in Salt Lake)!!! So, we bought these little c-pillows in an attempt to actually get some rest. They worked well for Andy! I knew they would - he can sleep with all four kids running around in the same room. As for me, I haven't been able to take a nap for the most part since I had my first child - no matter how sleep deprived I may be - unless of course I am being drugged after having a baby! But, I was glad that at least one of us got some rest! I only wished I would have taken a little light to use for reading because I was afraid I would be disturbing the other passengers during that long flight during the night! Andy and I were able to sit by each other on the two shorter flights (from WA to SLC and from NY to Boston), but unfortunately were apart during the long flight - which didn't help with my inability to lean on my neighbor :). But, it was an adventure and we made it to the hotel at about 10 AM (our plane had left WA at 6 PM the night before)!
There were so many nice people that asked us if we wanted a picture together! This is a monument of the Episcopal preacher, Phillips Brooks. I loved what it said about him "Preacher of the word of God. Lover of Mankind."
We really missed Drew the 2nd day in Boston when we went on the infamous "Boston Duck Tour". It was a lot of fun. Our driver was hilarious - all dressed up with wig and all as a disco dude. Our bus/boat/duck was called "Disco Duck" in his honor. Drew was so excited when we showed him that our bus turned into the above boat! It was a fun little condensed tour.
These are a little out of order, but I had to share the above picture of Andy in front of the church building that we traveled to on Sunday. I had only taken one pair of nylons and I somehow ran my nylons worse than I ever have in my entire life, so I decided to go without. Well, I had no idea the kind of protection a pair of nylons can give from a pair of what I always thought were my most comfy pair of heels - the ones I could wear to church when I was 9 months pregnant and helping run the 93 child nursery up and down the hallway of the church. But, I discovered that that thin little nylon barrier is of great worth - my toes took weeks to heal from the abuse they received from us running to get to church that day! The funny thing is that I was already worried about my broken pinkie toe of my other foot. So, now I had special toes on both feet and spent the rest of the morning hiking barefoot around Harvard Yard with Andy. We had planned on going to a closer church building, but ran into a mother/daughter on the subway that guessed that we were members of the same church. When we found out their building was in Harvard Yard, we figured we could kill two birds with one stone by attending sacrament meeting in an area that we would love to see! I guess I should have packed my running shoes because it was a little bit of a hike. When we got home we found out that this building is where one of our good friends/neighbors was baptized a few years ago!
The above picture needs no commentary after my above ramblings :)!
Apparently, rubbing the left foot of Harvard's founder, John Harvard brings good luck. So, I guess that means I'm the lucky one? We really weren't sure why everyone was touching his shoe, but it is obvious it is a tradition from the worn left shoe of the monument. John Harvard was a Puritan minister and it is said that he was a man who was "reverent, god-like and a lover of learning."
We spent a whole day on the freedom trail, which we absolutely loved. I remember thinking history was boring growing up, but now that I have grown up a little, I find it fascinating and just can't get enough of my own personal family history, the history of our wonderful nation, and world history in general. I have a LOT to learn and it was so fun to see and learn and experience Boston and it's rich history in the birth of our nation. The trail starts with the Bunker Hill Monument - which is actually at the top of Breed's Hill, next to Bunker Hill, but is the actual site of the first major battle of the American Revolution. Andy and I almost missed out on the chance to walk the 294 steps to the top! We didn't realize there were steps inside until we were getting ready to leave. The view at the top was amazing and it was a nice little workout all in one!
William Prescott is quoted as telling the American soldiers "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes" to make sure that each shot would count among our poorly trained and ill prepared colonial forces. But, they were able to repel the British twice before retreating, which helped give them courage to continue to fight for our liberty!
I about had a panic attack when I realized that I was was walking on a railing with nothing below me for about 210 feet or so, and I've never really considered myself afraid of heights. You'd think there would be some kind of orange tape or something to keep people from having a heart attack walking over this thing on accident! It was a tight squeeze up there with lots of sweaty people, but everyone was really nice :)! We all had to take pictures of each other after we made it to the top! I just realize that I missed uploading that picture of us at the top, so I'll add it to the beginning of this post!
The view was incredible and different from each of the 4 sides of the top of the monument. Here is one - the windows had seen their better days, so the picture quality isn't the best. But, you get the idea :).
This was another time we were really missing Drew. We were able to tour the U.S.S. Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world.
Andy with a cannon on the inside of the USS Constitution. The cannon balls were over 20 lbs. each and I got a kick over how many times they reminded everyone on the tour that we should not pick them up - apparently it is pretty tempting to some?!?
The Old State House, built in 1713. This historic building served as the seat of colonial and state governments as well as a merchants' exchange. A cobblestone circle under its balcony marks the site of the 1770 Boston Massacre. Today it is used as a museum of Boston history.
We got some good tips of places to go and see and everyone told us we had to eat and explore Boston's North End. So, here we are!
The "Old North Church", where the signal lanterns of Paul Revere are displayed in the Steeple. It is believed that sexton (the caretaker of the church building and grounds) Robert Newman was the one who hung two lanterns in the steeple to warn Charlestown patriots of the advance of British soldiers. This church also houses America's oldest maiden peal of bells and the first bust of George Washington, which you will see below. Sorry, these are a little out of order!
The Italian food in the North End is well known and we finally decided to take a break around 3:00 for a little Luper or Linner depending on if your family says "Super" or "Dinner". We ate at La Famiglia Giorgio's and our only regret was that we ordered way too much food! We were told the food was great and the prices were reasonable, but we had no idea they'd be bringing us enough food to feed an army! We were so stuffed that we couldn't bring ourselves to get Mikey's Pastries, but every other person we saw had a little Mikey's box. So, maybe next trip :)!
This is the bust of Washington in Old North Church of which General Lafayette standing here in 1824 said, "Yes. That is the man I knew and more like him than any other portrait."
Paul Revere's monument.
I was hoping to make it back to this amazing Holocaust monument since we were in a bit of a rush to get somewhere else. A group of survivors of Nazi concentration camps began the effort to put this amazing memorial together and they did a great job. Near Faneuil Hall, this monument stands as a reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust. The design is symbolic, with it's six glass towers that gleam at night over 6 dark chambers, each of which carries a name of one of the principal Nazi death camps. As you stand and read the thought provoking quotes inside of the chambers, smoke rises, giving a feeling that you are in a gas chamber. It was very touching and I was impressed at the thoughtful design and the effect that it surely has had on many people, including Andy and I. Within the glass towers are etched six million numbers to represent the infamous tattooed numbers and ghostly ledgers of the Nazi bureaucracy. Very powerful.
I spent some time just relaxing in the Boston Commons with a few good books - mainly 1776 by David McCullough. I just wanted to absorb as much history as I could and as much as I would have loved some of the art museums and the aquarium, I really felt like I needed to get some good reading in on this trip and it was great and highly overdue! The above monument is of George Washington.
Andy is standing in front of the Granary Burial Ground next to the Park Street Church, where 3 signers of the Declaration of Independence are buried: John Hancock, Samuel Adams, & Robert Paine. Also buried here are Benjamin Franklin's parents, Paul Revere, John Philips, James Otis, and the victims of the Boston Massacre.
Some of our pictures didn't turn out that great because we were exploring after Andy's meetings were over and it got dark quickly. The above picture is of me and Benjamin Franklin :).
And, a few other famous people from the Revolution including a few of my favorites, John and Abigail Adams and George Washington. I wouldn't mind meeting them someday, but a photo with their picture will have to do for now :).
This is Andy with Larry "legend" Bird who played for the Boston Celtics from 1979-1992, was 3 time MBA MVP, 12 time Eastern Conference NBA All Star, 1992 Gold Medal Olympian, and 1997-98 NBA Coach of the Year. This picture was taken one evening when we walked around Faneuil Hall and found a few gifts and souvenirs for the kids.
I LOVED the Boston Common, where cattle once grazed and British soldiers once camped. Our hotel was just across the street and I couldn't resist the temptation to walk around the park and sit and enjoy my books here during much of the time Andy was in his meetings. This park is the oldest public park in the United States and is huge and absolutely beautiful. There was a man playing a unique instrument that came twice when I was there and I just couldn't get enough of his calming music. I wish he sold a CD! I felt really bad both times he came around because I had no cash on hand to drop in his case, and I kind of felt like I was stalking him because I just had to move a little closer once to hear his music a little better as I read :).
The last day I have to admit that I was missing my children to the point of a few tears as I watched other families with their little ones playing with the ducks and I had a hard time getting into my books as I couldn't stop enjoying watching their sweet little children!
I even had to get a picture of the "Make Way For Ducklings" monument at the Boston Common. There were constantly little kids and even some adults getting pictures with these duck statues, so I had to wait a while to get a picture without lots of people in it, but I wanted to show it to my kids since we have the book. I just wished I could summon the kids over to feed the ducks and to take a quick picture!
But, that night we got home and the next morning I had to take a few pictures of the kiddos with their souvenirs and their trooper of a grandma!
Nathan got a sailor's hat that we were hoping he'd like to wear for Halloween, Drew got a Boston Red Sox pendant, a little Boston semi, and a little lobster sucker. The girls got big lollipops (a long ignored request) with a pink lobster for Kassi and turtle for Jesi. They were pretty happy. Hopefully happier to have Mom and Dad back home with them?!?
The only thing Nathan loves more than putting the hat on is taking it off! In fact, we are having a hard time finding his hat right now! I'm thinking maybe he hid it?!?
I am so grateful to have a husband who loves to have me tag along with him and look forward to many more adventures in years to come. Andy was so sweet and skipped out on a couple fancy dinners to spend time with me and I really appreciate the fact that he chose me over good food :). Since we are slackers at getting a babysitter and really should be better about dating, these little get-aways are very therapeutic for our relationship and I can't thank everyone enough for all of your help so that this was possible and enjoyable for our children while we were away. I know it is good for the kids and for Andy and I to have a little time apart to appreciate our time together! I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful husband by my side, sweet children and extended families, to live in such a wonderful country with all the liberties we enjoy, to be able to worship as we desire, and to have the opportunity to live and learn and grow together with all the wonderful people in my life. It is amazing how reading and learning about the experiences of others who have given up so much for our freedom can give such a new perspective and greater gratitude for blessings often forgotten.
This experience has revived my desire to learn about our founding fathers and all the sacrifices made by so many on our behalf. I am so grateful for those who lived and died that we might live with the freedoms that we so often take for granted. I hope I will take these blessings for granted a little less and teach my children how blessed we are to live in such a wonderful country with opportunities all around us. That liberty is precious and worth fighting for. And, I thank all who have fought, all who are now fighting, and all who will fight for those liberties from the bottom of my heart!
One of my favorite quotes from David McCulough's 1776 was this, about George Washington, "Out of adversity he seemed to draw greater energy and determination. "His Excellency George Washington, " wrote Greene later, "never appeared to so much advantage as in the hour of distress."" I believe that is true, that we are strengthened in our adversity when we look to God for our strength. So, I hope that as our nation faces difficult times, that we will always look to our God for our strength. And, when he gives us strength, let us give thanks and remember that it is only through Him that we are strong!
