Freedom Trail

Sunday I returned from my trip to Boston, Massachusetts. My main reason to go back to the east coast was to attend CKU and get together with Kim and Sarah (aka my Maine Buddies) . But since I was there my travel buddy Suzanne and I decided to take in some of the sites on the one "free" day we had. We took the shuttle from our hotel to the beginning of the Freedom Trail. Some of the sites that we saw as we followed the red brick trail were:

• BOSTON COMMON
• PARK STREET CHURCH
• GRANARY BURYING GROUND
• KING'S CHAPEL
• OLD SOUTH MEETING HOUSE
• FANEUIL HALL
• PAUL REVERE HOUSE
• COPP'S BURY GROUND
• OLD NORTH CHURCH
• USS CONSTITUTION

It is kind weird walking along and seeing modern buildings and then in the middle will be church or meeting house that is 300 years old wedge in. The Granary Burying Ground was probably one of my favorite spots. The headstones have such interesting images; skulls with wings, flowers neat inscriptions. We saw where Paul Revere was buried and the monument to mark where John Hancock was laid to rest and as we let the burial ground we caught a glimpse of Samuel Adam's resting place.

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We also walked around Faneuil Hall and returned later in the day to do shopping there. That area has so much energy. There was a man propped up next to a building playing plastic buckets and metal pans, a clown making balloon animals for the children and some young men with boom boxes dancing-kind of.

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We walked through a neighborhood that was a "Little Italy". This was probably my favorite spot. The streets were lined with pastry shops, Italian restaurants, and Gelato shops. Can you say, "MMMmmmmmmm". We went to a pastry shop that had been recommended by our neighbors (thanks Lindsi!!!) named Mike's Pastry. I bought a canoli, some pizzelles and Suzanne bought a whoopie pie and some chocolate dipped strawberries. We came back to that Little Italy area and had dinner that night. We ate at a restaurant named La Dolce Vida. The food in this restaurant was to die for, I had some gnoochi in a pink sauce. H-E-A-V-E-N!!!!

We also walked to the USS Constitution. Initially I was not too excited to see a ship. I am just not into the whole "nautical" thing, but it was actually kind of neat to stand on its deck. My first impression was that I was so surprised at how small the ship was. After watching Pirates of the Caribbean I thought those ships were gigantic.

I enjoyed my day of walking around the city. Suzanne was an awesome traveling buddy, but I hope to go back sometime with Steve and the kids and do the whole thing with them.

Emery County Fair

This past weekend the kids and I went down to Ferron to visit my parents and attend the Emery County Fair.

It all started off with sitting on the side of the road in Castle Dale and watching tIe "floats" pass by. The girls were all excited to see girls wearing crowns and cheerleaders dancing, but the best part was ALL the C-A-N-D-Y that they scored.

Following the parade we walked over to the town museum and looked at the different art work that had been created by members of the community: quilts, afghans, turned bowls, paintings, widdled figurines, bronze sculptures...There was some beautiful stuff. Then we sat outside the museum and listened to a local performer sing and play his guitar while Papa and Zack shot bows and arrows.

We finally wandered over to the fair grounds and the kids got to play on the slides and bounce equipment.

Once they had bounced their little hearts out Zack and Belle decided to give the rock wall a try. Zack only made it about half way up, but Belle made it all the way to the top. I was shocked. She can do anything she can put her mind to.

We visited the different booths. I bought one of those cute wooden wall plaques that says, "All because two people fell in love". After visiting all the booths we wandered over to the food area. So many choices, so little room in my tummy: ribs, BBQ corn, Navajo tacos, scones, Corn dogs, burgers, Chinese food,Pizza, frozen bananas (which Becky and Belle manage to wear more than got into the tummies).

It was a fun way to spend a summer day. I know my parents get a kick from showing their grandchildren off to all their friends.

Back to School

Yes I am not joking...We have gone back to school already.


After 3 weeks of summer vacation ALL of my children headed back to school. This year I have a 5th grader, a 3rd grader and 2 - 1st graders. That's right Katie and Becky began all day school!!!
Zack and Belle both began the ALPS (accelerated learning program) at a new school. It is the same distant away as Elk Meadows so they can still ride their bikes and scooters. Belle's friend Ryan is also going to the new school and they even lucked out and got to be in the same class. And Zack will also have a familiar face in his classroom since Trae has also transferred schools.
Both Zack and Belle were a little nervous about the change, but by the time they came home they had smiles on their faces and were excited about their new teachers: Mrs. Stowe and Mrs. Lybbert.


Katie and Becky started a day later than Zack and Belle. They were so excited, to the point that they were impossible to live with for the couple of days preceding the first day. They would ask questions hourly,

"Mommy, I wonder what our teacher will be like"

"I wonder who will be in our class"

"Do you think we will see Miss Snow?"

"How many days now until we leave?"

I am glad that they are so enthusiastic to learn and go to school. I am sure they will do well. I think they are excited about their new independence too. They get to ride their bikes to school and make their own school lunches. I can't believe my babies are in school all day long.