Had an amazing time this week with my brother Scott and his kids who visited us from Arizona
Welcome to New Hampshire!
When the Parker's arrived we had dinner, showed them all around our home and yard, and played a game of Gizmos.
Day 1
First full day, we showed them the Searles Castle, Robert Frost Farm, Windham Junction and the town in general.......and then ended the day with a swim at Clyde Pond.
After dinner, we looked for fireflies over the yard. There were many twinkling in the raspberries and the woods. Scott and Cora ventured out to catch one in a jar, and we all enjoyed watching him light up in the jar on the dining room table. Fireflies are fascinating!
Day 2
Day Two, we spent canoeing & swimming at Robinson Pond, and then toured the Lowell National Historical Park
We were singing and listening to Hamilton a lot, so we were quite fond of seeing a portrait of Alexander Hamilton at the museum.
Day 4: Martha's Vineyard
We spent two days and one night in Martha's Vineyard.
A huge bucket list item for me, and it did not disappoint!
On the way, we stopped in Plymouth to see the Bay and Plymouth Rock where the pilgrims landed.
We then took ourselves along, with our cars, onto the ferry to Vineyard Haven
We saw so many beautiful homes and gardens
We went swimming out by the Edgartown Lighthouse
After picking up Chinese food, we had amazing ice cream in Edgartown.
They had Black Sesame ice cream!
Modern art on a lawn in Edgartown
Day 5: Martha's Vineyard
Scott and Brooklynn and I took a morning walk in Edgartown to see the sights, buy souveniers and pick up breakfast at a well reviewed cafe, Among the Flowers.
When the rest of the family woke up, we had breakfast and then took the Chappy Ferry to Chappaquiddick Island. First stop was Mytoi Japanese Garden.
Then, we ventured down to a couple of different beaches in the same area: East Beach and Wasque Point.
East Beach
Wasque Point
Heading back to the "Mainland" on the Chappy Ferry
Gayhead
Gay Head Cliffs
Gay Head Lighthouse
Day 6: The Tour of Boston
The Boston Duck Tour
The cool part of the Boston Duck Tour is the truck driving straight into the water
and turning into a boat.
The views of Boston from the water are the best
After the Duck Tour, Scott took Ollie and Cora home, so the rest of us could take our time touring Boston's Freedom Trail. We started at Bunkerhill and toured the North end, since those were parts of Boston not seen on the duck tour.
The USS Constitution
Skyline of Boston from the Navy Shipyard.
Mike's Pastry
I've never seen Mike's Pastry without a huge line going down the street.
It was rather nice to be able to actually look at the pastries for once.
Paul Revere with the famous North Church in the background
"One if my land, Two if by sea"
Alexander Hamilton statue, close to the Public Garden
George Washington
Mrs. Mallard and Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack
Very popular spot for children to visit in the Public Garden
Brooklynn, age 14
Timmy, age 12
Aaron, Age 11
Jack, age 10 1/2
Day 7: Kennebunkport
Walkers Point is in the background, which is G.W. Bush's family summer home.
We got to eat in an open air restaurant, which was nice, because it was out of the rain and wind, but we could still see the river views.
Catch Fish, not Corona
We enjoyed a windy beach in the area, expecting to simply play by the water, but ended up with 4 of the group IN the water.
Scott flew his new kite from the Kennebunkport toy store, and the kids loved it!
Back and home we chilled a bit. Cora and Brooklynn painted rocks they collected at the beach, and made cookie dough to bake for the next day.
The boys set up the tent in the woods, had a great time hanging out in the tent together
playing on the switch.
Day 8: Chillin and the Town Beach
Today was our last day with Scott and the kids. The kids were tired, so we stuck around home and enjoyed playing games, relaxing and eating Brooklynn and Cora's delicious sugar cookies.
Brooklynn taught us to play "Trash", the boys played D & D, and the adults played Gizmos.
In the evening, we brought a picnic and visited the town beach. It was a little crowded at first, but then people went home as the sunset, and we had the majority of the water to ourselves, as well as our own picnic table to enjoy. It was a beautiful sunset and evening.
We enjoyed reconnecting so much and had a memorable week together!
Thanks for coming Scott!
