Harrison and I made the trek to the East Coast to visit my siblings. First stop, Boston! We left about 12 hours after the Boston Marathon bombings. M.E., Jeff, and Riley were just 200 feet away from the bombs when they went off. We are so grateful that they are safe.
Our first day in Boston was one of recuperation from a red eye flight with a toddler. My advice, don't ever in a million years do a red eye with a toddler. Ever. Silly idea. After a good nap in the morning, we headed over the quaint town of Concord to explore. Harrison particularly enjoyed the cemetery because the headstones are his hight. He loved it!
After our adventure, we headed home to feed the babes. Harrison loves his cousin. He couldn't stop hugging, kissing, and smothering Riley with love. He repeatedly tried to sit on her lap.
The next day, M.E. took me on a walking tour of Boston. It was fabulously beautiful that day and we enjoyed every minute of it. We loved going to the Boston Public Garden where Harrison could feed the ducks.
The delightful children's book Make Way for Ducklings, is based in this park. A bronze statue of the ducklings was made and Harrison decided to take one for a ride.
One of the many times during our trip that I had to ask Harrison to stop tackling his cousin.
We then walked along Newbury Street and saw the barricaded blocks surrounding the bombing sight. There were armored policeman throughout the city while we walked that day. The kids didn't find it all too exciting and so they slept.
We then made our way over the the Boston Museum of Fine Art. I loved it!
The kiddos were ready for a tandem bath by the end of the day. Harrison eagerly taught Riley how to splash splash splash.
The next day was enjoyed with a trip to a local park, Boston Science Museum, and beautiful blossoms.
Harrison and I woke up early on Friday morning to get things ready to board a train to New York. We found out pretty soon that the marathon bombers had resurfaced the night before and that the city of Boston was on lockdown. Many of the events during the night happened just blocks from M.E. and Jeff's apartment. So, we spent the day safely at home.
Harrison touching Riley on the cheek with one finger after I asked him nicely to stop tackling her.
Apparently lockdown has never tasted so good.
(we are in the apartment courtyard)
The lockdown was lifted Friday afternoon and so we purchased a train ticket for early Saturday morning to New York. Harrison prefers trains to airplanes, clearly.
I love trains! Harrison peacefully napped in his stroller for the last hour of our trip.
We were welcomed by Will and Caroline at Penn Station and the second we got back to their apartment, Harrison proceeded to tackle Caroline with love. I see a trend.
After a few good tackles, Will and I ventured through Central Park to meet Laura at work. It was a beautiful day!
We got to see Laura in action as a manager at the J.Crew Collection store. Very fancy. And very cool!
We then had some good sliding time in the park.
Caroline thoroughly enjoyed her push pop.
The gang in the park. Love these people!
And of course, we had to put Caroline and Harrison in the bath together.
Reading time with the kiddos.
We went to church the next day. It was so neat to be worshipping in a building that has the temple on one of its floors.
After church, Laura and I headed over to the Met. I could spend all day long in this place. We had a blast picking out some favorite pieces. Laura is the best to go with to art museums. She helps engage you in conversation about the artwork that expands your interpretation of it. We felt Van Gogh's wheat field was quite reminiscent of Calabasas.
Laura's favorite series of paintings by Monet. I asked her to express how the painting made her feel. From the look on her face, it looks like it either makes her feel very surprised or joyous.
Unfortunately, this piece has a story. I first came to New York, with my mom, when I was 16 to visit M.E. I remember seeing this piece by Degas. I had never seen a bronze statue before that had gathered mesh. The mesh was so old and I moved closer to get a better look. I suddenly, before I could allow any of my common sense to take hold, reached out and touched the mesh. Immediately, the alarm went off and my mom said, "Did you seriously just touch that?" The security guard came over to me and I sheepishly said, "I don't know why I touched that! I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!" Needless to say, we rushed out of that room. I will never live that story down.
Harrison felt completely liberated sans carseat in his first New York Cirty taxi ride.
We then walked around the Financial District. Here we are in front of the New York Stock Exchange.
Austin gave me a tour of his crazy awesome office at Deutsche Bank.
On our final day on the East Coast we took the subway to Bryant Park to meet up with our cousin Amy Clayton.
Amy had another baby girl just one week after this shot was taken.
A street vent named after my son.
We felt close to Mae Mae as we walked the steps of the New York Public Library where she worked in the children's literature department many moons ago.
We then tried one of the many gluten free bakeries in Manhattan. Bites of coffee cake, red velvet cupcake, and a snickerdoodle were pretty much perfect for this intestinally-challenged visitor.
(I saw this sign in the bakery and at first glance, I thought it was a diagram to show how gluten makes people with celiac disease feel. I'm crazy.)
The blossoms were bursting everywhere we went!
We then went to the 9/11 Memorial. This place truly feels like hallowed ground.
We then took a taxi to the airport to board our plane back home. When I checked in, I was told that the flight was delayed at least three hours. It was 7:30 pm at the time and we weren't supposed to take off until midnight. My eyes began to cloud with tears as I worried how Harrison and I would survive close to five hours in the terminal and then six hours on a plane. But, after I asked loved ones to pray for us, Harrison fell asleep for 2.5 hours in his stroller. Bless.His.Heart.
Additionally, this little man slept for close to 2/3 of the plane flight home. We arrived at LAX around 3:15AM and my sweet Jonny picked us up. What a trip!
The next day we went to enjoy wide open spaces and warm beach weather.
It felt nice to be home.
