We Love Having Visitors!

My sister Julie came and visited us for a few days. She flew from Dallas where it was sunny and 90 degrees outside... to Boston, a cold and windy city of about 35 degrees. Ouch! Spring where are you? We were able to do some sight-seeing, but the best part was having company and visiting with family!

We took the "T" into the city on Thursday to shop and visit Faneuil Hall. We were there as the shops opened and as the food counters displayed their fantastic looking food. Our mouths were watering in expectation of what we were to eat that day for lunch. Would it be a bowl of New England Clam Chowdah (You have to say it with the New England accent)? A lobster roll? Or any of the delicious looking ethnic foods? We decided to shop for awhile and then come back for lunch a little later.

A little later... We decided on splitting a plate of Teriyaki chicken and a shrimp roll. Sadly our food didn't taste as good as it looked. The shrimp roll was so nasty. Sorry Julie.

Friday we took the day to shop at a beautiful mall in Natick, Mass. We found a few good deals and had a good time. That evening, Julie and I visited the Museum of Fine Arts. This is one of my favorite places in Boston. It was even better that night, because I was able to leave the little-ones at home. :) Here are a few of my favorites:

Saturday Brandon, the girls, Julie, and I made our way up to the North Shore and stopped at Marblehead and Salem Mass. Marblehead has many homes and buildings that predate the Revolutionary War. If the weather had not been so cold, I would have liked to walk the streets and visit the shops. We stopped here for lunch and had some delicious clam chowdah.

Four miles north of Marblehead is Salem, home to the Salem witch trials in 1692. We visited the "House of Seven Gables," and the Salem Witch Museum. It was a dreary day for this spooky town.

(Julie and I are about the same height... regardless of how this pic turned out)

On Sunday we made our way up to visit Harvard University and to stop at the Boston Temple.  Here are some pictures while the weather was warm last summer.

Thanks Julie for coming to visit. We loved it! I hope you are now recovering in your backyard pool.

Learning to Read

Ever since Lauren was a toddler, I have loved reading to her.   We would go the library almost every week to check out new books.  We have also been able to collect a nice library of books of our own.  There is something so wonderful about having a new book.... especially a brand new book.  

At night, the girls (and now Elle is included in our reading time, of course)  are able to pick out books for me to read to them before bedtime.  It is a great time to quiet down and get to spend time with them without other interruptions.  I love the questions they ask while I'm reading that tells me they are REALLY listening to the story.  

Lauren is now in Kindergarten and has been learning to read on her own this year.  It has been so fun watching her begin to understand "How" to read.  She has really done so well.  It is so exciting to me as her mother!

A few months ago, Lauren selected this Dick and Jane book out from our public library.  She had just started to sound out words and recognize some "sight" words being taught at school.  She had so much fun (even though I thought the idea of having a "Dick and Jane" book old-fashioned and kind of boring).  A few weeks later she was so sad when we had to return the book.... because she loved the idea that she could read!  A few days ago, we were at the library once again, and Lauren wanted to check out this book.  This time, she has been able to read everything and understands what she is reading.  I realize this is a very "Easy Reader," but learning to read and ENJOYING to read is so important.  This is her first step.

"Go Lauren Go! Said Mother."  

Winter Break

I have had a really hard time thinking of something fun to post about! We are in the middle of the winter blues. Outside has been brown and cold... and now it is WHITE and cold. We just need some warm spring-like weather to boost our spirits! I also have been really bad about taking pictures, so it's not too fun to blog without fun pictures.

However, Lauren has had the week off from school for Winter Break. So we have done a few things as a family. I was also responsible for our ward's Enrichment activity on 72-hour kits Thursday night. That meant Monday was filled with shopping for forty 72-hour kit supplies. The girls didn't find that too fun, but we did eat at McDonald's for lunch.... so I count that as an activity for them! Brandon had Monday off as well, and he was a huge help on our shopping trip. Our best find was at REI. We found $10 Maglite flashlights for $3 on clearance.

Tuesday we went to the zoo with Tanner and Ally. Lauren and Elle really have a fun time with them. Lauren also played at their house that afternoon while Elle had a long nap. I had a few minutes of quiet time. Yeah!

Wednesday included getting Lauren's hair cut about three inches at Snip-its. Snip-its is a kid-friendly place for hair cuts. They are a little pricey, but supposed to be fun. Lauren likes the idea of getting her hair trimmed. Luckily she isn't trimming it herself.... this is something I'm sure Elle will do at some future time. After the haircut, we did a little shopping. The girls ended up with a few new things to wear.

Thursday was the much-anticipated day to go to Chuck E. Cheeses. I really don't like this place (I think it's the combination of paying for tokens, greasy fingers, greasy pizza, and winning a cheap prize in the end), but the girls LOVE it. Lauren has been asking to go since we passed it last fall. I promised her we would go sometime... and then when I found out about her winter break, I promised her we would go then. So, Thursday was the day. Luckily Tanner and Ally joined us for some fun games and mediocre pizza.

Yesterday was Friday and Brandon decided to take the morning off. We drove over to the Harvard area to pick-up the MAC Office software for our new computer. I am always envious of students in Boston, because I would love to be in their place... learning at such great institutions. For lunch we found the "Garage." It is a multi-level building of restaurants that was converted from an actual parking garage. We ate at Crazy Dough's Pizza and had some gourmet pizza of Potato Bacon Cheddar. It was yummy! It also snowed like crazy, and we ended up with about eight inches of fresh snow.

Overall, after typing this up, I think I need to go on a diet! We ate fast-food style like we were on vacation.... but since Lauren was on vacation, maybe it was okay?

The Little Gym

Today was Elle's last day of gym class for the fall session. We have been going to The Little Gym one day a week for the last four months. Elle absolutely loves going each week. Her instructor was great and let the kids explore as much as possible. It was also a parent participation class, and so I was able to be with Elle in her class. 

A few of Elle's favorite things about the class were: the parachute, jumping on the blowup toy, playing with the balls (specifically kicking the balls), popping bubbles, and getting stamps on her hands, feet, and stomach at the end of each class. She also liked jumping and hanging from the bars, doing somersaults, and walking on the balance beam. It was the highlight of her week, and I was happy to be able to have fun with her.

Boston Ballet

A group from the Boston Ballet came to Lauren's school to perform for the students the story of Little Red Riding Hood.  Wow!  I really wish that I could have been there!  This is definitely an advantage of living in a big city.... the kids are exposed to so many things (so far, more good things than bad).  But this would never have happened in, lets say, Rexburg for example.  Although, when I was little, any performing group was exciting and fun to see!

(Image from danzaballet.com)

Nor'easter Weather

Monday was a snow day for Lauren... so we spent the day in the snow! The schools were closed due to the large amount of snow expected in Boston. It was a beautiful storm! Luckily I didn't have to drive anywhere that day.

The girls and I spent the afternoon playing in the snow and making a snowman. Our good friends gave us a fun snowman kit for Christmas, which we put to use.
The resulting snow......

Curlers

Saturday night after baths and before bedtime:

Christmas and New Years Wrap-Up

What a month we had in December! It felt like our family was on vacation or "home for the holidays" for a long time. We missed seeing our family during this time.... we really, really did. But we had such a good time celebrating with new friends that we have made while in Boston.

Christmas Eve we spent with friends from our ward that stayed in town for the holidays. It was held at an AMAZING apartment in downtown Boston. If I could take a picture and copy all of the details for our own home someday, I would be thrilled. After the party we went home and thankfully Lauren remembered that we hadn't made cookies for Santa. Of course! I should have done this earlier in the day. Luckily I had bought some cookie dough and so making Santa's plate wasn't too time-consuming. Lauren's letter to Santa was so sweet. She is really so sincere (sweet but serious)!

The girls went to bed..... and then all of the magic happened. It was a late night!

Christmas morning, Brandon woke up to take pictures and I loved hearing Lauren's laughter and excitement as she rushed out of her bedroom. She was so excited! Elle knew Santa was coming and that he brings presents, but I'm not sure she really understood what that meant. But she had so much fun and loved opening the presents.

Lauren handed out the gifts, and even though we tried to take turns opening the presents, it didn't really work. The girls were too excited. Overall, there were too many toys! But the girls had so much fun. Brandon and I stayed with practical gifts this year..... snow boots, jeans, jacket, bag, perfume, watch. I don't think Santa got my letter about the new computer or new car I wanted. Maybe next year! Santa needs to earn a little bit more money.

After opening presents and lounging a bit, we were invited to another party. Another couple for the ward who have lived in Boston forever, invited another group over for a get together. They also have a great apartment, basically because they have an amazing view of Boston Common and the Public Garden. Wow! (The view in winter just doesn't give it justice)The next few days included going to the mall and making it to the movie, "Enchanted." The movie was so fun. Our time was also spent organizing places for the new toys. Our space is so limited here! We also had some friends over to dinner and managed to decorate a gingerbread house.
On Sunday, as we were leaving church, a friend asked Brandon if we had plans for New Years Eve or if we wanted to get together with them. Brandon said nope... no plans, but we should fondue! So the plans were set into action.... Four families were invited and we had such a good time. It was a nice night of really good food and fun. Our first course included a salad and then the cheese fondue with bread, pears and apples. The second course was steak, chicken, shrimp, and veggies cooked in the fondue pot of beef stock and chicken stock (other flavorings added). Our final course was dessert.... which was chocolate fondue with cookies, berries, fruit for dipping. So good! We left before midnight due to the kids being exhausted, but Brandon and I made it home to see the ball drop in New York and the Boston fireworks on TV at midnight. (PICTURES TO COME)

So today, we are back to our routines. Lauren is at school, and Brandon is at work. Elle is home with me. Sadly, she is getting a croupy cough. I guess we just wore her out this past week!

Disney World and Cancelled Flights

Last week, we were in paradise. Luckily Brandon had a conference in Orlando, Florida, and so we were able to take the girls for a week's stay of Disney World fun. We flew down three days before Brandon's conference started so that we could all enjoy a few days of the parks together. It was litterly 80 degrees every day. How lucky were we?! Here are few pictures of arriving at the resort and a view from our room (the swimming pool was very fun):

Our main goal over the week seemed to focus on collecting autographs and photos from as many Disney Characters as possible. Lauren loved this part the most! Elle, however, liked the IDEA of visiting the characters, but reluctantly would have her picture taken with them. Therefore, I had to be included in most of the photos. The girls filled their autograph books... there are too many pictures to include.
Fun times at Magic Kingdom with Brandon trying to pull out the sword in the stone and Elle and I riding the Dumbo ride:

Magic Kingdom was elaborately decorated with Christmas decorations. We even attended the Mickey's Christmas party in the evening of our first day. The Christmas party included special holiday events and shows along with "free" cookies and hot chocolate (we had to buy additional tickets to get into the party). The lights on Cinderella's castle were beautiful, the Christmas parade was so fun, and the fireworks, of course, were amazing. By the time we got back to the hotel, the girls were asleep and we were all exhausted.

The next morning we were off to Epcot Center. We enjoyed the World Showcase which included eating lunch in Norway with a visit from Belle, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Ariel, and Jasmine. Our lunch overall was good, and I even tried some pickled herring.

The next park we visited was the Disney MGM studios which included seeing a Playhouse Disney show, a Broadway performance of Beauty and the Beast, and a special effects movie set with an explosive car show. They had an amazing display of Christmas lights with "snow" falling for the proper effect in the evening.

The following days included more Magic Kingdom where Lauren was able to participate in story time with Belle.... she played the part of Chip. The following days included visiting Disney's Animal Kingdom with the highlight of taking the African safari ride and visiting Epcot Center for another day.

Here is Elle "enjoying" a show with loud noises... this was typical for most shows and fireworks. After watching the special effects of the car show at MGM, Elle wouldn't watch the anticipated Indiana Jones show... so I had to step out with her and let Brandon enjoy the show alone. Oh well!

Overall our trip was amazing!!

However, on our way home we faced huge obstacles. Boston was having major snow storms and Delta wasn't about to let us get home easily. We ended up having three flights canceled and had to stay an extra night in a hotel nearby. The following morning we woke up at 4 am to catch our early morning flight. Boston was expecting more snow that day so we had a small window of opportunity to make it home. Our plane took off and I shouted for joy! About an hour and half into the flight (half way to home) our pilot said over the loud speaker that Boston was closed to incoming flights...... so they actually TURNED the plane around and went back to Orlando! We finally got home at midnight after taking a flight to Cincinnati and connecting to Boston. Wow! We came home to a winter world. The next morning included digging our car out from a foot of icy snow, rushing to get gas (the car was left empty), going to the grocery store, and a lot of laundry.

So we are glad to be home, but now I'm stressed about Christmas being only a few days away!