playing in the leaves

I asked Emma to rake up the leaves in the front yard. She enlisted the help of her friends, Eliza and Allison. They raked them all into a huge pile and then proceeded to throw and kick them back all over the yard. They had a lot of fun but the yard ended looking exactly how it started. I guess I needed to specify that the job entailed raking AND bagging the leaves in the front yard.

cornbellys

We went to Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point with our homeschool group on Friday, November 2. It was nice that it was after Halloween because the crowds were minimal. The kids had a good time but I am not sure that we will go again next year. They have made everything cost extra and I am not sure it is worth it anymore. We missed Emma too.

boston part 3

Tuesday, October 12

Emma and I went back in time to 1627 at Plimouth Plantation. There are two main exhibits. In the English Village all the workers have a 17th century character they play. Everything is done in character--their work, their speech, their dress. They respond to your questions as a Pilgrim would. I asked about what they did with the little ones and was shown a dress with ties on it. A little one would just be tied up to a chair or something while the mother worked at the hearth. Too bad that isn't in fashion anymore. At the Wampanoag site, they don't maintain a character (and they were a lot less friendly). We saw a canoe being burned out, weaving, and cooking. Emma was not willing to ask a single question. What kind of homeschooler is she?!

We didn't have enough time to tour the Mayflower II so we just went over to take a picture of the ship and the rock.

Wednesday, October 13

With limited time on this day, we decided to do a driving version of the Freedom Trail. First we drove to Bunker Hill. The monument was closed for construction so we couldn't go up.

Then we drove down to the Boston Naval Yard to see the USS Constitution.

We just missed a tour going down below decks and didn't want to wait for another so we just roamed the deck before heading over the museum. There was a great interactive exhibit about the life of a sailor that the girls enjoyed.

On our way out, I couldn't help but set up an impromptu photo session with such a great urban backdrop.

We continued on our tour into downtown. We drove by the Old North Church of Paul Revere fame in the North End. After lunch at a pizza place, we did a quick, drive-by of a few other sites before heading out. I really love the mix of old and new in downtown Boston.

We were in a hurry to get back to Ashland so the girls could be Mystery Readers in Audrey's class. They read one of my favorite children's books called Jimmy Zangwow's Out of This World Moon Pie Adventure.

Dana made an impressive mad dash to get everyone ready for a last minute family photo session. We drove to the picturesque Old North Bridge in Concord. I was so happy for the opportunity to do their pictures. It was sort of like all my favorite things in one--photography, history, fall color, family. Happiness all around.

We followed the photo session with a delightful feast on the foundation of an old house in Lexington. Rob treated us with specialty sodas, cheese, crackers, rolls, and artichoke dip from The Cheese Shop in Concord. Emma proclaimed it her favorite thing we did the whole trip. It really was an awesome way to end our adventures.

Thursday, October 14

Our wonderful trip to Boston came to an end. We were able to fly home without any issues (except for waking up at 1:30 MST). The rest of the family picked us up from the airport and we went out to eat as one last vacation hurrah. I hope Emma always remembers our trip to Boston. I know I will.

12 on 12 | october | boston edition

[click to enlarge]

Emma and I took a fantastic trip to Boston last week. On the 12th, we were out and about seeing all the beauty of New England. I also forgot it was the 12th until the day was nearly over. So I decided to just make this month's edition of 12 on 12 a collage of our trip.

1. Rockport, MA. We got into Boston on Friday morning. Dana picked us up from the airport and we headed directly
to the beautiful coastal town of Rockport.
2. Six Flags New England
3. Sharon, Vermont at the Joseph Smith birthplace. Dana and I are sitting on the old hearthstone.
4. Apple picking at Honeypot Orchards
5. So You Think You Can Dance. Dana is a way cool mom and agreed to Avery's pleas to stay after the show and meet the dancers.
Here we all are with Kent.
6. Emma had Lauren and Billy sign her "boogie shoes".
7. My super adorable niece, Lauren
8. the monument at Bunker Hill
9. Emma and Avery were the Mystery Readers in Audrey's class.
10. the old north bridge at Concord
11. I took family pictures for Dana at the old north bridge. What a good looking bunch!
12. We went over to Lexington to the Minuteman National park and had a feast of specialty sodas, apples and cheese from The Cheese Shop in Concord. We sat on the stones of an old house foundation. A perfect ending to our New England adventures.

cascade springs

We headed up the canyon after lunch to take in all the beautiful fall color. We had never been to Cascade Springs before so that is where we headed. It was the perfect "hike" for my littles. Oh, fall, how I love thee!

cornbelly's

A day at Cornbelly's in the fall is always so much fun!