Mass & Maine

Had to take a trip to Boston to see my grand babies, the birthday boy and the Blessed Kate♥, that amazing girl who has the honor of raising my grandchildren. :-) hahahah








Had a delightfully fun time hanging with the fam and friends and sight seeing. They took us to this amazing food place called Mr. Bartley's that has been in Cambridge forever, well my whole lifetime that is. I can't wait to go back. The menu was hilarious. The "Obama burger" One and done. Too funny and too bad I can't remember the other 29 items with funny titles like that. I loved the Cherry lime Rickey and The Elvis shake was so delish. That's really what I'm going back for. Chocolate, banana and Reeses Peanut Butter Cup. hmmmmmmmmm


Did some apple pickin at the Honey Pot Farm in Stow.









Pumpkin Pickin

or maybe just sittin


or how about a little kissin


Candlepin bowling - only in 3 northeastern states and Canada. Totally fun and I liked it a whole lot better than regular bowling.






Our scorekeeper
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York,Maine - the hottest I've been all summer except for the week spent in AZ. Strange we were on the coast and I expected it to be cold like the bay area, but nooooooo. Actually beautiful weather. Couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.













Love finding quaint outside food places like this. "The Daily Grind"





Birthday Boy with his Ultimate t-shirt quilt. Kate is amazing!

Yep, Mass and Maine a great place to visit, especially when cute kids like this live there.

Bubbles,Babies,Boys and Barking Crabs in Boston

On one of those rainy days on the east coast we headed over to the Boston Childrens Museum
Since I have a Chicago Science museum membership, we all got in for five bucks. whoohoooo what a deal.
Don't know who had more fun, my boys, my grandbaby or blissfully happy Molly?





I love how my boys love to play.


Ellieford loves the water and knew exactly what to do with bubbles, unfortunately they weren't the "no tears" kind. She was an amazing trooper who kept on going with swollen eyes and a smile.




There were other fun things for kids to do like climb up in a net so Miss Molly went for it.

Then the fam started dancing on TV with Arthur. This is what I saw anyway.



This green background is what they saw

Asked where to go close for dinner and The Barking Crab was within walking distance right up the river.
Now I'm not a seafood eater except for fried shrimp and tuna, but wanted to experience Boston cuisine.
J & M decided to try lobster and crab legs and went for it. David had to show them how to eat this crustacean.

I have to admire Miss Molly - she's adventurous and finally got the hang of cracking those legs. Her first comment was "I have to work for my food!!"

I really don't know what the big deal is with lobster and crab legs, nothing special in my book (I know, Keli, don't yell at me you crazy crab leg girl who jets to Vegas just for this morsel)

The clam chowder was excellent but the Itallian soda's not so good. At least we got to keep the glasses. (like we've ever used them since)
I imagine this place on the river front is hoppin when the weather is nice. Still never heard a barking crab.

Some fun things we did this past summer.

Dupage Children's Museum - We had some time to kill after dropping my mom off at the train station in Naperville. Anna usually gets a free pass to this museum but we had never gone before and alas when we did go we had no coupon. I don't think it was worth the money we paid but everyone with young kids out here should go at least once.

My personal favorite was this bubble making car wash. I like bubbles.
Strolling thru Kettle Morraine state park

Randall Oaks Park and Barnyard ZooOk this snapshot doesn't show you the enormity of this pig. She was the biggest pork I've ever seen.
Strawberry pickin in Woodstock

............................................................Anna and friend Lexi.
Museum of Science and Industry - Harry Potter The Exhibition

Weasley's car is the only thing you can take pictures of which is in the main lobby. Bummer no photography in the exhibit. Ok so I've been a couple of times with different members of the family. My favorite is still pulling up those mandrakes (screaming root babies. hahahh)
Some of my kids have been sorted - Jonathan is Raven claw - Anna and Ellie are Griffendor and I can't remember the rest. The exhibit is off to Boston in Oct. They are following my kids.
My girls love to have fun, well some of them do.
I don't think Ellie was too impressed with it but everyone else loved it.
My Family Hiked the Grand Canyon - Rim to Rim . Had a Great time
See David's earlier post
I don't know how Jonathan got up there, nor do I want to know. Sure makes for a cool shot.
Williamsburg, Va and Jamestown is where Anna and I ventured - see earlier post.
Yay - Josh and Emerald stopped by on their way to Boston U. So we had to take them downtown to Millenial Park and the Shedd aquarium.
Not only are Josh and Emerald in this pic but so is David,Tami,Molly and Anna. Can you find us?
(click on pic to enlarge)
Josh being an engineer major was impressed that you can't see any seems on "The Bean"



Kayaking in Lake in the Hills -

Paddle boating since they only have 2 kayaks to rent out.
Jet skiing on Crystal Lake. I have the nicest seminary student who invited us for a wet ride.

Jet ski's are my favorite toys. Too bad I don't own one. I miss the Lake Powell Days. There is just something about going super duper fast in the water. I LOVE IT!!!

He belongs on a magazine cover for Yamaha. Love his smile that boy of mine.



Have I mentioned "Never a dull moment when Em is around"
We love it when friends and fam come to visit. Scott dropped by for some Chicago style pizza.
Oh how I miss my grandbaby....


We had a busy summer with girls camp,youth conference,high adventure for girls and trips to Chicago. We love living here and we love company so plan a visit.