Things I Just Can't Classify...

Here are a few more random pictures from our month long journeys....

Daddy picking us up from the airport!

Noah 'riding' his bike on our balcony. 

The kids were such a good sport while we unpacked everything.  It always amazes me how they can entertain themselves and I am definitely grateful for that! 

Walking around campus.  I love how scenic it is!

The Green Monstah

Try to say the title with a Boston accent and it will make a little more sense.  Infact, the other day we were at Costco and one of the employees was talking about some bottled water.  She kept saying, "This isn't the right watah.  This coupon isn't for the right watah."  You have to love it, but honestly it drives me crazy!  I told Andy if I, even for a second, accidentally said something like that to punch me in the face (those were my exact words)  he then said, "Right, like you could really picture me doing that."  haha Hopefully he would at least give me a stern look or something.

Onto more important things!

After the LONG drive out east, which was made by Andy, his Dad and his brother Greg, the guys treated themselves to a Red Sox game.  They all love professional baseball, and couldn't pass up a trip to Fenway park!  I should really be letting Andy write this post, because I don't even know who won.  I can assure you that they had a good time though, even in the hot Boston sun!

 
Not only do we appreciate Greg and Gary making the drive with Andy,  I know that Andy loved being able to spend this time with his Dad and one of his Brothers.  There are few things he enjoys more than spending time with his Dad and brothers!  No better welcome to Boston then spending a little dude time, right?

Kayaking the Charles River

One of the wonderful things about living so close to downtown Boston, is that we also live so close to the Charles River.  I mean, walk across the street close!  Not only is it beautiful to look at...

But it provides some great recreation as well!  There are walking/running trails around the river which are ALWAYS in use, and you can rent canoes, boats and kayaks to go out on the water - so when a friend approached Andy about taking Noah out on the water, we couldn't pass on the opportunity!

I thought Noah might be a little freaked out, but Andy  said he wasn't scared in the least.

Here are the guys, all suited up and ready to go.

And here is a little picture on the water.  The kayaks they used were for novices, so it would be very difficult to flip them over.  At one point Andy said that he was adjusting something and the Kayak started to teeter a little, to which Noah said, "Heyyyyy,  Whats going on!!?" haha It was the first time Noah had ever said that to either Andy or I, and he got a good laugh out of it.

I think the whole adventure was a success! Noah still talks about going out on the boat and Boston continues to score points in our book.

Andy's First Day of Grad School

Andy's first day at Harvard Business School was a success!  He has worked SO hard to get here, and I know he will only continue to put that much more effort into being successful here at HBS.  I couldn't be happier or more proud of him and am so grateful we get to share this experience with him!

Boston Common Frog Pond

In our short time here in Boston I have seen a lot.  Mostly I've seen a lot of Target and a lot of the the playground!  ha  Oh, and a lot of boxes! So when a friend of mine invited a group of us to the infamous Boston Common Frog Pond, we had to take her up on it!  I was surprised at what a short drive it was from our house.  I forget how close we are to downtown Boston.  I mean literally, a few miles away.  I love having so much available to us, and so close too!  The weather didn't disappoint either, and the pond was the perfect temperature.  The kids loved it!

The wonderful part is that the pond is only about 6 inches deep, so the kids can wade around in it (even lay down if they want) so easily.  Noah didn't waist a second and got right in!

Clare was a little bit more cautions and sat on the edge of the pond with me until she slowly decided to make her way in.  I let her go at her own pace, and she ended up loving it - just like I knew she would!

Boston common was so pretty!  One of the girls made a comment about how it could be considered Boston's 'Central Park'.  There were boat rides, a carousel, a play ground, hot dog stands, monuments and a lot of grass to play in.  I hope that we can take a trip back there as a family soon!  I loved it! 

Next on my list to see.... the Cheers Bar! haha   Stay tuned! 

Pictures of the Month and Other Stuff

YES, I am alive!  We have mostly survived our move and are finally settled into the place (and have practically taken over).  Let me just preface this post with this - Boston is the bomb.  We love it already and can't wait to explore more!

So let's get started, shall we?

Since I have been behind on all things blog, this is going to be a doozy of a post.  Mostly because I am too lazy to separate each event...so take it or leave it!  I will do my very best to keep things in chronological order, for my benefit - and yours :) 

Pre-Move Chaos!

Clare learned quickly how to use the chair as a stool and climb up onto the table.  She has continued to climb on everything!

 Clare loves to wear shoes.  Even if they aren't her own (and even if they are on backwards).

 What my kids ate for almost three days straight during the move.

 Pictures of all our stuff!! I was actually very happy with how prepared we were for this move.  It was definitely better than all the others!

This time it was Clare and mommy's shoes! 

 Noah playing the 'biolin' (aka Violin).  Music prodigy?  We will see.

 Noah camped out on our floor for almost a week (because his bed was down). One night he even left the dinner table and put himself to bed!  Sweet boy.

 Clare also slept on the floor, this was taken the last day we were in our house.

 At the hotel on post the night before leaving!

Possibly the very last time I will ever shop at a PX.  It was very bitter sweet.

I didn't take many pictures of our drive from WA to Idaho.  The plan was for us to drive to Idaho and then Andy, his Dad and Brother Greg would finish the drive to Boston.  The kids and I stayed in Idaho and flew to Boston a week later.

The drive from WA to Idaho went pretty smoothly, but we did have a few breakdowns from this little lady, very dramatic ones at that...

We had a great time in Idaho while we were there....here are some of the fun things we did!

 Date night to get some Frozen Yogurt (Noah in his PJs none the less)!

 Walking home from church on a beautiful sunny day!

 Eating Popsicles shirtless (it was sure warm outside)!!

 A lot of time spent in the car!

 Road trip to Lewis and Clark Caverns and Virginia City.  We took the motor home and Noah was in heaven!

 Clare enjoying nature.

 Three generations! :)

 Lot's of fun on the swings!

 Here we stand, outside the opening of Lewis and Clark caverns!

 And one inside the caves!

Virginia city was great fun.  We decided to do an old-time photo.  I was a little hesitant at first, and didn't really want to do it, but I'm glad we did.  It turned out great!

 Noah obviously loved the cowboy get-up!

 The end result.  See what I mean?! haha

 Riding the train in Virginia City.

After our week in Idaho it was time to start our travels to Boston.  My mom and sister Whitney drove us down to UT to catch our flight.  It was a great way to end the trip, and I think we all had a good time!

This next picture marks the begging of our VERY long day of travel.  I don't have a desire to fly across the country again anytime soon (especially alone with both kids).  But overall they did remarkably well, and we were all happy to land in Boston! 

 Spent a long 4 hours at the very small Long Beach, CA airport.  They kids did well though, and I did my best at keeping them entertained!

 On the Plane!

Our first official day spent in Boston we decided to walk over the river (we are so close) to Cambridge to get some food.  This was our view walking over the bridge....it was love at first sight!

Getting settled has been my biggest task since arriving!  Thankfully after a week of unpacking, buying a few things, putting furniture together and hanging things on the wall we are practically there!   It feels SO nice to be in our home and getting back into a routine.  We have already been able to see many things and can't wait to explore all that Boston has to offer...until then, here are a few pics of our very small apartment! 

Lastly, a few of the kids since our arrival...

 Clare eating her yogurt (she won't let me help her)!

 Playing with Noah's cars, just like Noah does.  She was even making sound effects.  I love her.

Sunday naps, oh how we love them!

Whew!  Well there you have it!  We are practically up to date!  Andy officially starts class next week, although he did start a week long course yesterday and has already been very busy with school work.  I better find plenty of things to keep us busy while he is away, but thankfully I don't think there will be a shortage of things to do!

Anyway, I'll leave you with this quote I found that seems so fitting!

Here's to life changes!
Have a happy day my friends.