Collin and Amanda

R's brother Collin and his wife Amanda came for a fun visit! We managed to squeeze in quite a bit of sight-seeing:

On Tuesday we went to Walden Pond for a swim. We were greatly surprised to find it closed when we arrived at noon (NEVER seen it closed before!); we were told to return at 2. That didn't fit our schedule well, but we went back around 4. Imagine my surprise to find no beach when we finally got there! Due to all of the rain this winter and spring, the level of the pond is so high! I should have taken a picture to compare, but imagine this picture, where D-man's feet are touching water, and the people in the background are up to their waists! It was so crazy. We sat on the wall and did our best to help D-man play with his new beach toys, but it was only a fraction of the fun it would have been.

On Wednesday, a record-hot day for May, we headed out to Wingaersheek Beach. It is a favorite around here, and is especially good for little kids. It gets deeper so gradually that there is plenty of space to play, and the water temperature is so much more tolerable (mildly numbing instead of frigid)! I had only been there once before, 10 years ago, and didn't have such a great experience due to bicycling and a torrential thunderstorm. This visit was MUCH better. D-man and Mr. B got their fill of beach toys, digging, splashing, running, sea life (although nothing alive), shells, rocks, and sunshine. I didn't take too many pictures, because we were having so much fun. Only would have been better if R could have come.

Need I point out Mr. B's enjoyment of 2 more grownups to listen to him?

Mr. B enjoying lunch in the shade

So cute!

Thursday morning we saw some Lexington and Concord Minuteman sites.
Having just taken Paper Ava (another blog) to most of these places, the boys weren't thrilled, but they did enjoy the Minuteman Museum video presentation. Upon waking from his nap that afternoon, D-man reminded us that the "Redcoats all fall-down dead." Hmm, guess he got the message.

That evening, we dropped the boys off for some playtime (thanks, D!) and headed downtown for a Red Sox game. The weather got a bit cool, but for the most part was quite nice. There was enough action to keep us interested, but unfortunately they didn't win (if that umpire would have made a certain call correctly it would have been different!!). We did get some bargain-priced t-shirts, though, to wear on Mormon night at the Red Sox when we take the boys!

Friday we all headed downtown on the T (the boys love riding the train!). Had some lunch in the North End, walked some of the Freedom Trail, saw some great street performers, and enjoyed Boston Common. We left Collin and Amanda to enjoy on their own and went home to put the boys to bed.

Saturday we sent them downtown again while we did some catching-up here at home.

Sunday after church we drove up to Vermont, to the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial. It was a long but beautiful drive, with lots of off-and-on napping going on (except poor R who drove the whole way). We enjoyed the sculpture collection on display there, as well as seeing some of the other family home foundations (got to ride in a golf-cart, the highlight for the boys of course!). We saw a family we knew there (as we did last time we went!) which was so fun.


On Monday we took it a little easier, staying home most of the day. Our complex pool opened over the weekend, so R, Mr. B, Collin and Amanda enjoyed the sun while D-man had a nap. We had a few friends over for a BBQ and we had a great time (mmm, I love me some homemade Ice cream!).

Tuesday was back to reality. R was back to work, and we had to take Collin and Amanda to the airport. We were so sad to see them go. D-man asked all the way home "weh Coyin an Amanna go?" "Home on the airplane." "WHYYYYY?"

Thanks for the visit, guys! I hope you've caught up on your sleep by now! We miss you!