Laundry Helper

Today Marshall decided he would help with the laundry! Who was I to say no to a willing two-year-old who wanted to help his mommy? As much as I love clean laundry from my super nice Bosch set, I have to admit it gets old and help is much appreciated. He really enjoyed running back and forth with one item to load each time since the basket was too heavy, and he got almost all of the darks! He watched proudly as his laundry began to spin. The best part was when he patted my cheeks and said, "Mommy, are you proud?" It was so sweet!!!

Cape Cod & Plymouth

We spent Sunday night and Monday morning on the Cape. We stayed in a really nice place called Inn on the Square in Falmouth. Monday morning we drove a little bit further to see some beaches and look for a lighthouse that we never did find, but stumbled upon this beach. The water was cold but we had fun taking pictures and exploring the New England coast.

We decided to go see Plymouth where the pilgrims landed in 1620. We were too late to get a tour of the Mayflower and the museums, but just seeing the ship was good enough for us. It was a lot smaller than I thought it would be, maybe it is one of those things that is bigger on the inside than it looks from the outside. We took pictures of the rock then had to go for our dinner appointment at the Cox's house where we stayed for the next 3 nights. On the way we got to see cranberries being harvested which was really cool to watch.

Sunday with the Forgits

I was so glad to finally meet the Forgits. Since we were dating John has told me about the many memories he has had at their home. At first I was nervous when he suggested we stay with people I had never met before. I quickly learned that I shouldn't have been. We stayed at the Forgits' from Thursday to Sunday after church. They were so nice to have us there and it was fun to hear about John as a missionary and their memories of him. They are such a fun family and I am so glad to have made new friends. If John gets into grad school here some day they told us we would be over every Sunday for lunch after church. I am already picturing Marshall calling them Aunt Maria and Uncle Paul! It was also fun to meet their daughter Amanda, left, and their best friend, Michael, right. What great people, we look forward to seeing them again!

Cambridge & Harvard

Harvard is such a beautiful campus! Most of these buildings are only dorms, beautiful dorms. The architecture is outstanding, each building is unique. While we were there we visited the Fogg Museum of Art. I really loved seeing all the famous works of Picasso, Degas, Monet, Manet, Renoir, and more. After the museum and exploring Cambridge we ate at the funkiest, most whimsical restaurant I have ever seen called UpStairs on the Square. They had things like zebra print seats with pink piping and green walls with gold and silver plaid. All the lights were different and funky. Then there was the floors, one area was purple leopard print! Oh my!

The Mansions at Newport

Today we drove down to Rhode Island to tour the Mansions at Newport. There are 10 open for touring and a bunch more along the cliff that were absolutely breathtaking. I love history, so to see how people lived during the 1800s really brought it more to life for me. We toured The Breakers and The Elms and both were spectacular. John loved the gardens and statues at The Elms the best. The decor inside these homes was just over the top and all for show. Funny that they are only summer homes, used only 8 to 12 weeks out of the year, imagine their home homes!!!

A (Witch) Hunting We Will Go!

Which way are the witches?? Literally, everywhere we went we got lost, turned around, and then lost again. Massachusetts freeways are confusing, even for someone who thinks he's a native. Needless to say we spent a lot of time in the car looking at our maps.





In Salem we visited The House of Seven Gables where Nathaniel Hawthorne drew the inspiration for his book of the same title. However, he never actually lived there. Next, we saw the Salem Witch Museum where we both learned a lot about the witch trials. Then we went to the Pirate Museum because apparently Mass. has a rich pirate history. It was really lame and we don't recommend anyone go there.

It was so great to be somewhere old with a rich history. There is so much to see, do, and learn. On the drive back to Boston we discussed how traveling makes you a more educated person. Not only can you learn about history and geography, etc, but it gives you background knowledge when you are reading. For example, I was reading a novel not too long ago in which two sisters hide under a porch with thatched sides. I had never seen this and could only vaguely picture what the author was describing. However, while driving home this day I saw exactly what she had pictured and it was an "uh-huh" moment! Just the fact that travel really does make you smarter and my principles of lit. teacher last fall was right, background knowledge makes you a better reader. WOW!

First Night in Boston

We're going to Boston! Jealous? Thought so!

John and I can hardly wait for our 8 day trip to Boston!!! Marshall is staying with my mom, thank you MOM and we get our first vacation in THREE years! We leave Wednesday morning and don't get back until the following Thursday. I'll have lots of pics to post, so check back after September 20th!

Cousins who read together...

One day while watching my adorable nieces, it got quiet all of a sudden. When three preschoolers suddenly get quiet it causes concern. So, as I snuck a peek in Marshall's room to see what was going on, I saw this.....

Three cousins who share a love of reading! L to R: Marshall, Laine, Eve

Marshall Started Preschool

My little boy is off to preschool already! Twice a week he goes to the Child & Family Development Center lab school at the University of Utah. He is fine separating from me when I drop him off but every morning as we head out he gets a little apprehensive. I stay and watch him through the observation booths, unseen, and he looks like he's enjoying himself. I love this preschool, although I am a little biased since it is where I did my practicum last fall. The teachers are great and I love the philosophy of a child-centered, NAEYC accredited program, that allows children to be creative and focus on the process, not a product. I can't wait to see him start little friendships and go to playdates. My sis-in-law just gave me the cutest Mommy business cards for that very purpose! For now I can be a "Pre-school Mom!" (Soccer-mom is coming soon.)

A Fun Day

My sister-in-law Mel was in town from NY and her son Sam is a little older than Marshall. Since they haven't seen each other for a year, we thought it would be fun for some cousin bonding time so we took them to Jungle Jim's Playland.

Marshall, ever the observer, didn't quite know what to make of this crazy place until the end. Nevertheless, we all had a good time and the boys got to know each other, if only a little better. I can't wait for this relationship to form (as you know from previous entries how I feel about cousins)!

A Big Boy Bed

With IKEA here and only half a foot of space left in his crib, we decided it was time to move Marshall to a twin size bed. Here are some shots of it and his first night in it. I just love the bedding, it matches the existing wall color, saving my dad from painting again.