Boston 2017

While Daddy's away... We will PLAY!! Poor Daddy had a conference at Harvard, so the kiddies and I took full advantage of the hotel room and played in our favorite city in the US... Boston! The kids and I set out for two fun-filled days of riding the subway, visiting the park and checking out museums. Here are some of our adventures...

We ate, boy did we eat! Ice cream and all the fun special gluten-free places you would find in a big city.  

Baby Cone for a Baby Boy

Since going gluten-free, Maddie has REALLY been missing Dunkin Doughnuts, or really doughnuts of any kind. We found an amazing gluten-free specialty doughnut place in Boston for her to eat at...

Happy Girl 

Yum!!

Oh Boy. Wishing I hadn't have worn white pants. LOL

We took a taxi to the Boston Commons and walked around the park.

Kids in front of the State House

We have "Here Comes the Ducklings" in our home libary and have read it many times, so the thought of visiting a real place from one of their books was super exciting!

Swans, Ducks and Sassy Girls. I am not sure if it was walking around the city or exploring, but these sassy girls were posing up a storm for pictures. Haha!

Strike a pose

Vogue

Of course, no visit to Boston Commons is complete without a trip on the carousel...

We happen to be hanging out near Frog Pond and we noticed everyone was in their bathing suits? All the kids camps were out and lifeguards were posted in the pond so we said, "Why not?" We pulled up our capris and went wading in the pond!

Splish splash!!

After playing and splashing at the park we worked up a hunger and took a walk down Commonwealth Avenue to eat amazing gluten-free Mac n' Cheese.

One happy girl. Andrew ate my g-free mac and cheese :(

We rode the subway back to Harvard Square and the girls thought it was super cool!

The kids were great hoofing it all over the city and using taxis, subway and walking.

Waiting for the T

Near our hotel in Harvard Square, was the Curious George Store. Andrew likes to watch George, and couldn't wait to get his own monkey.

We also visited Harvard's Natural History Museum on their campus. The kids had fun checking out all the exotic animals and especially loved the rocks and mineral exhibit.

Our swanky hotel had a giant soaking tub that the kids had fun "swimming" in!

And we ended our day all snuggled up in the cozy, super fluffy bed at the hotel. We had two double beds, but this Mama enjoyed loving on her babies until Daddy got back to the hotel and we moved a couple over to the other bed ;)

The kids and I had a blast, and I felt bad for J because he was in Boston, but not really IN Boston doing all these fun things with us. I think we better just take another trip just he can enjoy the city (and us!) again too ;)

Lake Winnipasaquee 2017

In August, Jarrett attended a conference in Boston so we decided to tag along up north and make a vacation out of it! We visited Lake Winnipasaquee in New Hampshire, and it was only a 2 hour drive from Boston. It was a blast! Here are some fun things we did:

Andrew practicing his Speed Boat driving skills

Here's the place we rented... It was on the hill above and overlooked the lake and beach.

The part we enjoyed the most was the screened in front porch. The name of the cabin was called "Hawks Nest" and the kids loved watching the boats go by while eating.

The fact we even made it to NH was a victory in itself... the stomach bug was going through the house and everyone had it except J... guess who got it (but not as bad as the rest of us) on the DAY we left?! Poor J had a well deserved rest after making the 7 hour drive from NJ. He knows all the rest stops well between NJ and NH.

Daddy Sickie, but not for long! 

We did a little sightseeing, but mostly spent our time kicked back by the lake on the beach.

Daddy and his mini-me

Will have been married 13 years in Nov?! 

As with any vacation, we ate ice cream every day. Andrew likes to taste everyone's and decide which person he wants to share with him.

Burr! The water was kind of cold compared to the lake we visited last year, and it was August. I can't imagine how cold it is in June. The girls were so excited to use their newfound swimming skills at the lake. It took them until the last day to work up the courage to jump off the swim dock!

First Daddy jumped off the swim dock...

Next Maddie jumped in...

Jarrett took the kids for rides in the paddle boat at our cabin. I couldn't figure out how to make it go straight, and crashed into the swim dock. Needless to say, I totally embarrassed Lindsay who was next to me in front of some kids nearby. She said, "MOM!! I'm jumping ship! You are a terrible driver!!" LOL.

Lindsay and J watching the sunset

Daddy is a better paddle boat driver than Mama

Maddie taking a spin on the boat

The water was so clean and clear!

All the kids had a blast playing in the sand and building castles. Andrew didn't eat the sand this year...hooray!

Mr. Sandman

Madison and her sea creature creations

Kicking back watching the sunset with Daddy

We visited Weirs Beach, just a short drive from the cabin. It was gorgeous! I loved that it had a swim net and was shallow and clear for 6 feet.

Behind the beach was a really cute old fashioned train that would go by... Andrew loved watching it!

Burr. Beautiful but chilly.

Chips and dip on the porch

Sissy love

When we ventured away from the beach/cabin, we took a scenic boat ride in an antique wooden speed boat to get a better view of the lake.

Sweet Ride!

Pretty girls

Not too sure about the wind in his face.

Family Pic...LOL

These girls loved being on the water, and especially going FAST!

Enjoying the view with my love

At first I though this little sailor was going to be seasick, but the rocking of the boat made him fall asleep in my arms.

Lake house someday?! Haha! So beautiful!

We visited a historic home called, "Castle in the Clouds". It is a huge private estate that has been turned into a museum. When I was doing research into what tour we would do, I discovered they had PONY RIDES for $15. Although the house tour looked fun, it was more J's and my speed rather than the kids, so we opted to hang out at the barn and stable and took our resident pony enthusiast on a ride. We didn't tell her until we pulled up to the barn, and let's just say she was thrilled!!

Our girl wore her pink boots, and enjoyed walking around the barn

"I'm going to own a pony farm like this someday Mama, and teach you how to ride!"

 When it was her turn, oh my, she was in heaven. She rode "Snickers".

Look at that proud face! 

We offered Lindsay a ride too, but she said, "Ponies are Maddie's thing, not mine. I think I'd rather just watch." She was so sweet about it though, and was excited for her experience.  

Giving Snickers a pet

  Best $15 we've ever spent on this kid. She has memories for a lifetime!

Miss hot stuff

We loved you Lake Winnie! We had such a relaxing time, and made some sweet memories! Now on to the next leg of our vacation/conference to our (Jarrett and I) most favorite city in the US... BOSTON!