Boston 8-10-13

Every summer we love to head out to Boston and walk around. Usually we don't have much planned other than enjoying the atmosphere. This year we had a challenge to do! We wanted to do a taste test to see which cannoli really was best- 

 Modern or Mike's Pastry. 

And the verdict is.....

Mike's! We're sticking with what we've always loved best!

 It also happend to be our 22nd Wedding Anniversary! It was such a beautiful day to celebrate with family. Not quite Atlantis, like our 20th, but still a wonderful day for a harbor walk!

 It's really strange to see Xander almost as tall as his Dad and Uncle Mike! 

I love this picture! It's so random!

 Got pretty windy there for a bit too. Check out the do!

ALWAYS my most favorite Boston site! 

I am mesmerized by this clock tower set admist the clouds in the sky! 

All in all another fantastic day (and anniversary) in Boston!

Mini Hike

For YW last week we went on a mini hike. We would have loved to have gone for a longer one, but by the time we got there we only had 40 minutes to hike until it was dusk. 

No worries! We made the best of our time and happily chatted away enjoying the beautiful sights and just being together! I sure do love our girls! 

End of season BBQ at the lake

Xander's end of the soccer season party got postponed until August due to bad weather. Thankfully this time it was the perfect day at the lake! We had the perfect spot to watch the kids having fun while we visited and laughed! 

The kids had a blask kayaking and canoeing. 

Funny thing is one of Lissy's best friend lives across the lake. So when I texted her that Alyssa needed rescueing from all the boys (that'll change in a few years...) 

Lori was happy to pick Alyssa up on their way home. 

Next thing we know ALL of the kids are canoeing across the lake

 to see what's going on over at Alayna's. 

It turns out that all 9 kids ended up at Alayna's house on the rope swing and in the jacuzzi. She was all too willing to let them hang out for a bit. 

After a while ALL the kids were back at our party for dessert. Then Alyssa and Alayna went back to her house via canoe and her little sister stayed with buddies at our party. 

The kids have never be to a party swap across the lake. It was an awesome day and evening!

Henna

We went to the library to check out a few book and stumbled upon some good friends and a henna tattoo artist. It was fun to do something very temporary and learn about a different culture. 

We weren't suppossed to wash our hands for 24 hours, but that was totally unrealistic! So a half an hour after we got home Alyssa and I were washing away!

 It still was pretty dark and looked good. The next day it was even darker red and it would startle me everytime I looked at my hands. It made me grateful that this WASN'T permanent! 

Minute Man National Park

I can't believe we've lived here for 10 years now and never been to Minute Man National Park!

On Tuesday Alyssa had a doctor appointment in Waltham so I figured it would be awesome to make a day of it and go and see walk the battle road. The kids have written reports on the Revolution and some of the major people in it so it helped to piece it all together.

It was the perfect day to be outside for a walk along the trail!

 We even made a friend. The kids had to name him (or her) and they came up with Steven.
 Evidently Steven likes people, diet coke and reading the newspaper.

 The whole trail is 5 miles, which would have been great if it was round trip. Since it was each way we opted for 1 1/2 miles in and back. I love the history out here. It was fun to learn more about the way the colonists lived and made the most of the land.

North bridge site of "the shot heard round the world."

 Sad to think of some many lives lost.  

All in all my favorite type of New England day to be outside- low humidity and blue blue sky with big puffy clouds. Such a great day with my favorite not so little anymore people!