Boston 2015

About a year ago both Jordan's older sister, Heather, and my older sister, Chelsie, started making threats (okay, morel like hints) that we should all scurry our little butts up to New York and Boston to visit them before they moved. Jordan and I were worried that we wouldn't be able to pull it off. We had been having major leaking inside the house because our roof was so old. Nobody tells you that replacing a roof is so darn expensive and it cost more than either of us had imagined. So, wanting desperately to visit our sisters, and two of the neatest cities in the country, we buckled down to make it work. It was worth every last penny to go, especially since Jordan had never been to Boston or New York, and lets be real-- it was as cheap to go as it was ever going to be. Lucy was a free lap infant and all three of us had free housing!

I'll start with BOSTON! Well, maybe how we got there first. It was a bit of a fiasco. Our flight left from Salt Lake to Denver at 4:00 p.m. There we were supposed to have a short layover and arrive in Boston at 12:20 a.m. Right when we were checking in at the Salt Lake airport we learned that our flight from Denver to Boston was delayed. It ended up being delayed a few hours and we got into Boston at 2:45 a.m. Considering the next day was the 4th of July we weren't about to sleep in and miss any festivites!

On our way... with a very surprised little Lu.

We walked in late that night and Chelsie was up with the babies. Apparently they woke up just a few minutes before we arrived at their apartment, so we were greeted in the sweetest of ways! The next morning we were up and at em for the fourth!

Chelsie drove us downtown and we were able to listen to the Declaration of Independence read from the balcony of the Old State House. It was a totally neat expereience! We walked from there to Quincy Market and Fenueil hall and got ourselves some yummy calamari and clam chowder; or should I say "Chowdah!"? It was delicious. We did a quick freedom trail tour, but ditched part way through because we got a teeny tiny bit bored (best part about traveling/touring with family!) we all giggled and ran away. The rest of the day Chelsie taught us how to speed walk our way around Boston and we had a blast. She took us to Mike's pastry where I had my first Canooli? Is that what those delectable things are called? Holy Moly! Jordan could only have about one bite (he's not much of a sweet tooth, unfortuantely) but I had much more, and enjoyed every little bite. We went to Paul Reveres house, Old North Church, Haymarket, North End, and the Government Center.

 Red, white, and blue confetti was dropped on everyone after the Declaration of Independence was read and the Start Spangled Banner was sung. Everyone pulled out their phones to capture the moment.

 Riding in style, I tell you. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to climb in to that chair with Lucy. My legs weren't used to so much walking!

After ALL of that we ran home, ate, and then made our way back outside to watch fireworks by a beautitful lake and ate movie theater candy. Lucy screamed bloody murder for a bit, she really isn't so great at falling asleep anywhere other than her own crib (good thing Chels has the same crib and we could trick her!), so Jordan had to walk around a very unhappy baby. Meanwhile, I enjoyed some fourth of July fireworks and spending it with my favorite family in the world!

The next day after church we took a drive up to Rockport and wandered our way around all of the beautiful cities. What a gorgeous place to live! That night we did a "Chopped" dinner. Jordan and I have gone through a "Chopped" obbession and find ourselves explaining what we are eating in the most fanciest of ways because of that show. Chels thought it would be fun to do our own "Chopped" dinner and she was absolutely right! One of the funnest dinners I have ever experienced. Jordan and I competed against Chelsie and Jordan. We were in charge of an appetiser and main dish that had to include 3 random ingredients of the other couples choosing. Chelsie and Jordan were in charge of a second main dish and dessert that each included 3 ingredients of OUR choosing. We were not easy in our ingredient picking, but it was incredible what was whipped up! Before each dish was served a detailed (overly fancified) explanation was given and, of course, the dish was judged. I'm pretty sure we should always cook this way because all of the food was incredible! That night we did a game night and sang at the piano. I sure love that Troxel family.

James was constantly looking out for Lucy and it was so sweet.

 So much for, "act natural."

While Jordan was at school the next day the rest of us made our way to Ralph Emerson's home and Walden Pond. When I heard "pond" I imagined a delighful little puddle. No, I was wrong. It was a huge pond! And delightful still the same. Lucy ate herself a bunch of handfuls of sand and looked dreamy sitting on the beach. (Wait, ponds have beaches?) We had packed lunches and ate them there. Later, we went to Louisa May Alcotts ome, Old North Bridge, and Authors Ridge at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. That evening we went to Not Your Average Joe's for dinner... umm... yum! Then we went to Kimball Farms for ice cream. We walked around while snacking on our yumminess and let the kids run around. It was wonderful!

Sweet little Emmie.

 A wrong toss of the keys and they were stuck up in a tree. We all buckled over in laughter and then seriously had to buckle down to figure out how to get them out!

Our last full day in Boston we went to the Public Gardens and Chelsie and I took the littles on the swan boat ride. It was so darling and I was so glad we did it! We visiting Newbury street, Charles St, Copley Square, the Marathon Finish Line, and the Boston Library. We had a picnic in copley square and Chelsie found us some delcious apple cider donuts. That night we found ourselves some yummy Lobster rolls for dinner and chowed them down in record time.

 Cute boy trying to get some work done while we are out and about.

Random, quick wind storm!

The next morning we packed up, said our goodbyes, and headed to the airport for New York. (Post to come soon!)

Our trip to Boston was nothing short of delightful, and wouldn't have been anything close to as wonderful as it was without Chelsie, Jordan, and her sweet babes hosting us. James was so sweet to Lucy and us. We feel so lucky to have the family we do. Thank you, Chelsie!!!