Summer Family Vacation - Boston

Two beach trips in Cape Cod, one winery tour, one day in Hyannis, multiple seafood meals, and a lot of R&R later, we headed into Boston to finish out the remainder of our vacation.

I have some fond memories of being there when I was Lauren's age, but found the city is a bit harder to navigate with a small child.  They don't like brewery tours, double-decker bus tours, history, boats, the smell of the ocean, Red Sox games, fine dining, or in Lauren's case...walking.  How did my parents do it?

Boston Tea Party Museum.  

Of course we couldn't go in because Lauren thought the greeter dressed up as Paul Revere was a pirate, but you get the idea.

So we made a deal with Lauren that if we went to the Boston Aquarium and the Children's Museum that she MUST behave at any/all restaurants we took her too.  

You get your fish.

We get ours.

Out final meal in Boston was on the North End of Boston (Little Italy) where we dined on the most wonderful Italian meal I can remember (I'm sure Lauren's butter noodles were great too).  A really fun ending to a really great week.  Until next time...

Summer Family Vacation - Hyannis

The morning after our lobster bake, our fabulous hosts took the remaining lobster "parts" and boiled them for lobster bisque.  Who knew you could eat a meal, take the remaining parts off of everyone's plate, and make it into yet another meal.  I love they way they recycle!  Lauren however did not.  

She repeatedly complained about the horrible smell of the simmering bisque. "It smells disgusting" she would say.  Lucky for her, Mom found her nose plugs from swimming in the suit case so she could sport them all morning long.  What better way to offend your hosts right?

Next it was off to Hyannis.  I had to Google to see if Hyannis and Hyannis Port were the same place as I was very interested in finding the Kennedy Compound. Not only am I still unsure if they are the same place, but Bryon refused to attempt a drive-by so we opted for carnival fun instead.

Summer Family Vacation - Cape Cod

The Thomas family just returned home from a perfect family vacation to beautiful Cape Cod.  We have a good friend who runs an Inn in Brewster, Massachusetts so were invited to come and spend several days there for our summer outing.  There are no words to properly describe the beauty of Cape Cod, the charm of the Inn, or the hospitality of our friends and their family.  

The Ruddy Turnstone Inn.  What a quaint place to lay your head every night.

We were able to view this stunning view of the marsh and the ocean each morning and night. 

Bryon said we look like stand-ins for a commercial.

The people we stayed with have a 5 year old daughter so this was the perfect vacation for Lauren.  Here she and Ashlynn are walking down the sea shell-laden path to the beach. 

The walk back wasn't quite as fun.

The beach agreed with us all.

Headed home to an official Clam and Lobster bake.  

Lauren and I decided we prefer the lobsters on our plates versus crawling around the kitchen.

One of these things is not like the other - Round #6

For Lauren's 5th birthday we got to see Uncle Brandon for another side-by-side measurement.  Guess who's growing???

Someone just turned 5! Part 2

We're halfway through our birthday and the fun just keeps on going.  After all isn't sitting outside having lunch with the ladies a right of passage for a new 5 year old?

And so is eating chicken nuggets with chopsticks.

Next we headed home to decorate the house in "Frozen" decor and get ready for the real birthday party (touche). And Lauren had the most MARVELOUS Elsa Barbie cake you have ever seen. 

Another special request from the birthday girl to her Aunt!

After some donuts for breakfast and cake for lunch it was time to go and burn some energy with a candy-filled Frozen-themed pinata.  So fun for everyone.

We ended the day with a wonderful party joined by family and fun.  

The day was perfect (thank you so much Aunt Jerris and family) and one we will never forget.  

It's good to be 5!

Someone just turned 5! Part 1

Happy 5th Birthday to our beautiful Lauren!  

You have grown so much this past year and we enjoy every new day of adventure with you.  

For our next adventure, we hopped on the airplane and headed to Colorado to start the party.  It was the perfect way to celebrate YOU with our family and friends. Let the spoiling begin!

The big BIRTHday!  

Aunt Jerris promised Lauren she could have whatever she wanted to eat, drink or buy on her day.

So at 6:30 a.m. we came back from the bakery with two huge pink sparkled donuts full of sugar and sprinkles.  

Then of course it was time to open our first present.

Time to put on our party clothes because the ladies are GOING SHOPPING.  

With one cute squint of her eyes, Lauren conned Aunt Jerris and Grandma Keren into a shopping spree at the American Girl doll store.  Again, SPOILED.  

Next stop.  

Ladies Luncheon.

The last days of being 4

On July 1st, Lauren got to have a pre-party to her real birthday party which will be followed by her post-birthday party the weekend of July 11.  

Three cakes, 11 days of celebration, and countless surprises 

all for one very lucky girl.  Happy Birthday Lauren.