Grandparents are the best.

A few days after we got back from Florida, we were blessed to finally have Grandma and Grandpa come! They had been trying to come for a visit since September, and we were so excited to see them!

We were able to do some fun things with them this time. I finally got to go inside the Orchard House with my mom! We got great discounts from the library pass, and had a fun time.
Grandpa and the boys came, too, although Mr. B and D-man enjoyed the sticks, rocks, and trees outside much more than the tour inside.
R took a day off, and we all went to Plimoth Plantation (again, thanks to the Library pass discount!). This place has great significance to our family, as my Great( x 9)-Grandfather William Bradford was Governor there for many years.
It was great to be there, and think of the many hardships that these people experienced all in the name of religious freedom. Having lived through a few New England winters myself, I cannot imagine how anyone survived without modern technology. It gets so cold for so many months, and the soil is awful, and there are so many bugs and other things that made life difficult.

We stopped and saw the Mayflower II (remake of original),
The boys were greatly disappointed to learn partway through the tour that the boat would not be sailing while we were on it.

and Plymouth Rock (not so big now because tourists used to take pieces of it for souvenirs, but you can barely see it behind)

On the way back from Plymouth, we stopped at a cemetery (one of a few during the visit!) where some of my ancestors (Winslow) are buried or memorialized. They helped settle the town of Marshfield (also called New Plymouth, I think) in the 1600s.


We were very excited to have them come to church with us this visit. Mr. B was hoping they would come to class with him. The boys had a great time visiting and playing with Grandma and Grandpa.

Come back soon!