September 13-14, 2008 Boston, MA

note: This is the fifth (and final) of a series of "catching-up" posts...I'm posting them chronologically oldest first and dating them in the titles.

We had a great time in Boston! One of the things that I was really looking forward to while we were preparing to move to the northeast was being able to take the boys on the Freedom Trail. We had tried it several years ago in February, and it was just TOO COLD so we bailed. The weather this past weekend was much better! It was sunny and cool for most of the weekend, with the exception of a rainy period early Sunday afternoon. It was windy enough to ruin 2 of our umbrellas, but of course the rain and wind died down as soon as we found a drugstore and purchased rain ponchos!

Joshua and Jonathan had recently read a biography of Paul Revere, and Joshua has read several other books about the Revolutionary War period, so they were excited to actually see all the locations they had read about. We bought a nice book with pictures and information about all of the stops along the Trail, then we were on our way!

A slightly grumpy Jordan waits while Mommy buys our book and picks up a map at the visitors center.


Jeremy and the boys posing in front of the Massachusetts State House. In front of them you can see a line made of two rows of red bricks--this runs the entire length of the Freedom Trail to show you where to go. Of course, the boys thought it necessary to actually walk ON the brick line the whole way!


Close up of the State House.


Joshua in front of Park Street Church. We didn't go in as it was currently closed to tourists, but we did enjoy the graveyard next door.


Joshua next to Samuel Adams' grave in the Granary Burying Ground next to the Park Street Church.


Joshua again, this time next to Paul Revere's grave.


Jonathan reading the inscription on Paul Revere's grave.


The monument over John Hancock's grave...Also buried in this graveyard are Joseph Warren, James Otis, and Benjamin Franklin's parents.


Unfortunately my camera battery (which I had JUST charged--I think it's getting old) died at this point, so I don't have any more pictures from Saturday. Jeremy took some with his cell phone, so maybe I can add those on later. After visiting the Granary Burying Ground we visited King's Chapel, which was very interesting. We had a couple things Jeremy wanted to do Saturday afternoon and I wanted to go back to the hotel and charge my extra camera battery, so we took a break at this point.

Sunday, we resumed our tour at the Old State Building. It's been turned into a museum, and we really enjoyed the exhibits there. Especially nice for the boys was the third floor, which consisted of 4 or so different areas of hands-on exhibits for children.

Here are Joseph and Josiah peeking through a replica of the Old State House's clock. Flash photography wasn't allowed in the museum, so the quality isn't great.


This is inside Fanueil Hall. We took several photos of the boys in here, but unfortunately none of them turned out well.


This is in front of the Quincy Market right behind Fanueil Hall. It has been turned into a fancy marketplace with high-end retail stores and expensive restaurants, and of course plenty of spots to purchase Boston souvenirs. We stopped here to watch a street performer for a few minutes. He was doing magic tricks and juggling. The boys enjoyed his performance.











Outside view of Faneuil Hall...


The boys posing on the doorsteps...


Quincy Market again...


Joshua and Joseph playing around...


We stopped for lunch at a place called the Green Dragon Tavern.
Joseph playing with his daddy!


Joseph and Daddy...


Daddy and Jonathan...


Daddy and Joshua...


Daddy and Jordan...


I think this is a science project involving an oyster cracker, ice water, and a straw. Oh, and a two-year-old scientist...


Outside the Green Dragon Tavern...


Outside Paul Revere's house. Photography wasn't allowed inside, but we enjoyed our tour here...


A statue of Revere...





Jeremy


Inside the Old North Church.


The Old North Church





On the way to the U.S.S. Constitution we stopped to pose for a photo on this old anchor.


In front of the U.S.S. Constitution, or "Old Ironsides."


Joey


In front of one of many cannons below deck.

Josiah

Another view of the ship...

This picture is actually in Providence, R.I. We got a hotel room with two huge beds and lined up all the boys across one of them. For some reason, looking at this picture reminds me of the Night Before Christmas poem. Doesn't it look like they're dreaming of sugarplums?

Anyway, we had a great (though exhausting!) time on our trip! We're looking forward to some time to hang out at home, though!