I think I will try to plan my kids receptions like the one they had.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Melissa and Luke's Wedding
Newport, RI. Castle Hill Inn & Resort.
It was a beautiful place. The only problem was that poor Luke has the sun in his eyes! And it was stinking hot for those who had to sit in the front because they had no shade. But over all it was a wonderful wedding and it was the most entertaining wedding I'd been at for a long time. In fact, it was at Luke's brother's wedding that I was also entertained! I liked that fact that each portion was short and to the point. I was able to pay attention and my ADD didn't get the best of my me. Which is rare. And I could tell before we even arrived that the wedding would be difficult to pay attention to. It was perfect though! Very well thought out! A new tradition that I had never heard of before: They took two colors of sand and poured them together, signifying how they went from two separates into one whole that can not be separated. I really liked the symbolism and the story/poem that went with it.
I had hoped I'd get better pictures, but this hill was giving me all sorts of trouble. As well as a few other things like trees and bushes. But that's ok. Being able to take pictures was just a bonus for me. The wedding was so much more interesting than the scenery!
I think I will try to plan my kids receptions like the one they had.
I think I will try to plan my kids receptions like the one they had.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Madison's Baptism
I forgot again! I posted about Salem and was just reviewing my previous posts, debating on where I should fix the errors or just leave them, (I left them) when I read that I was supposed to blog about Madison's baptism. I think I mentioned something about getting on in years in another blog post.
Here he is. My little man. He and his perpetual squint in his left eye. That's a squint of trouble. Kinda like when you see someone with an eye patch you know they are a pirate, so watch your treasure chest. When you see a cute kid with an eye squint you know to watch out, you don't know what he'll do!
Actually, Madison is a sweet and caring little boy. He loves his family very much. A friend was telling me about a time when his sister was upset and crying and he was stoking her arm and hand and talking sweetly to her trying to calm her down and make her feel better. What a sweetie!
At night Madison likes to cuddle so much that fairly often you will wake up with him on top of you. So far no one has died, but I have dreamed of being strangled many times from him laying his arm, leg, or entire body across my neck and chest.
Madison was very happy to be Baptized. He was very excited for weeks for when he got to have Ben Baptize him. He also was looking forward to seeing his Meme and Pepe as well as Grandma and Grandpa who came all the way out from California to witness this momentous day for Madison.
The Bishop talked to Madison before he was Baptized and asked Madison what he knew about the Ten Commandments. Madison jumped up and showed him a cute routine that the Primary has taught him. It incorporates hand motions that relate to the commandment. For example: Show number 1 and then say "only one God." and I don't know if that is even correct, but he has it down. You can ask him, he'll show it to you. Or if your kids are in Primary and they haven't shown you yet, you can ask them. Anyway, my point was, the Bishop was very impressed with Madison's knowledge and eagerness to be Baptized.
Jonas gave a talk that was very well thought out and touched hearts.
The Sister Missionaries talked a little but and my mother talked as well.
Over all, it turned out great.
An idea I had to help show our appreciation for those who came and still allow us to get out quickly was this: I made gift bags, just brown paper bags, I added a three cookies and then stapled the bag closed. I had the kids hand out the bags and water or juice. Everyone seemed to appreciate the snack, especially those with little kids, the kids were probably starving! And I'm sure the adults were too. I made 60 bags, thinking that I'd rather have too many than too few. We had exactly the right amount. Ben and I were the only ones to not have bags at the Baptism, so when we got home we went to see what was left and there were two bags. Yeah!
Actually, Madison is a sweet and caring little boy. He loves his family very much. A friend was telling me about a time when his sister was upset and crying and he was stoking her arm and hand and talking sweetly to her trying to calm her down and make her feel better. What a sweetie!
At night Madison likes to cuddle so much that fairly often you will wake up with him on top of you. So far no one has died, but I have dreamed of being strangled many times from him laying his arm, leg, or entire body across my neck and chest.
Madison was very happy to be Baptized. He was very excited for weeks for when he got to have Ben Baptize him. He also was looking forward to seeing his Meme and Pepe as well as Grandma and Grandpa who came all the way out from California to witness this momentous day for Madison.
The Bishop talked to Madison before he was Baptized and asked Madison what he knew about the Ten Commandments. Madison jumped up and showed him a cute routine that the Primary has taught him. It incorporates hand motions that relate to the commandment. For example: Show number 1 and then say "only one God." and I don't know if that is even correct, but he has it down. You can ask him, he'll show it to you. Or if your kids are in Primary and they haven't shown you yet, you can ask them. Anyway, my point was, the Bishop was very impressed with Madison's knowledge and eagerness to be Baptized.
Jonas gave a talk that was very well thought out and touched hearts.
The Sister Missionaries talked a little but and my mother talked as well.
Over all, it turned out great.
An idea I had to help show our appreciation for those who came and still allow us to get out quickly was this: I made gift bags, just brown paper bags, I added a three cookies and then stapled the bag closed. I had the kids hand out the bags and water or juice. Everyone seemed to appreciate the snack, especially those with little kids, the kids were probably starving! And I'm sure the adults were too. I made 60 bags, thinking that I'd rather have too many than too few. We had exactly the right amount. Ben and I were the only ones to not have bags at the Baptism, so when we got home we went to see what was left and there were two bags. Yeah!
Vacation Day #5
Salem, MA
Salem was a lot of fun. But don't bother going to every with museum there is. Just go to one. The information is basically the same in every place, with just slight changes. We got free passes for the Salem Witch Museum, and we bought triple passes for Witch dungeon museum, New England Pirate Museum and Witch History Museum. Choose one of the many witch museums then go to the pirate museum. It is very much the same set up as the witch museums but with totally different information.
For some reason I can't upload any images right now, so I will add more later.
We went on to a ship, they let people just walk around their ship and have a donation box, if you choose to leave money. We did. It was really fun to be able to walk over the ship and look at all the things that make up a ship. I don't know what most of those things are called! The kids had a blast. We also got to watch seagulls feasting on fish. These fish swim to the top of the water for who knows what, then the seagulls swoop down and grab a mouth full.
After doing the self guided walking tour we headed out to Salem Willows. (If I had my choice I'd do a guided tour through Salem, we were walking through a cemetery and listened for a few minutes, and it was very interesting!) Salem willows has a few arcades, a wharf, loads of fun places to eat and a beautiful view of the ocean. (The header to the blog is a picture from Salem Willows) The kids got to play arcade games while mom and I walked around looking at the sights. We found a place where they have bands, just not the night we were there. At the wharf a mother and her four kids were catching crabs with raw chicken. The two girls caught about 10 and the boys didn't catch a thing. The difference is where they were putting the trap, but since you can't see the bottom, you don't really know if you are in a good spot until you pull it up.
We stopped at Peppy's pizza for fantastic pizza, it was so good. I would rate it near the top of the best pizza ever list. We also had ice cream and popcorn from Hobb's.
There was one thing we wanted to do, but just didn't have the time. And that was Mahi Mahi Tours. They have a ship and you go and see the sites, you can get a guided tour or you can get a meal tour. The meal tours you order your food which is then cooked right there on the ship. But the guided tour tells you where you are and other interesting facts. I would love to do a guided tour. We may go back sometime in the future to do that.
Mahi Mahi Cruises & Charters
For some reason I can't upload any images right now, so I will add more later.
We went on to a ship, they let people just walk around their ship and have a donation box, if you choose to leave money. We did. It was really fun to be able to walk over the ship and look at all the things that make up a ship. I don't know what most of those things are called! The kids had a blast. We also got to watch seagulls feasting on fish. These fish swim to the top of the water for who knows what, then the seagulls swoop down and grab a mouth full.
After doing the self guided walking tour we headed out to Salem Willows. (If I had my choice I'd do a guided tour through Salem, we were walking through a cemetery and listened for a few minutes, and it was very interesting!) Salem willows has a few arcades, a wharf, loads of fun places to eat and a beautiful view of the ocean. (The header to the blog is a picture from Salem Willows) The kids got to play arcade games while mom and I walked around looking at the sights. We found a place where they have bands, just not the night we were there. At the wharf a mother and her four kids were catching crabs with raw chicken. The two girls caught about 10 and the boys didn't catch a thing. The difference is where they were putting the trap, but since you can't see the bottom, you don't really know if you are in a good spot until you pull it up.
We stopped at Peppy's pizza for fantastic pizza, it was so good. I would rate it near the top of the best pizza ever list. We also had ice cream and popcorn from Hobb's.
There was one thing we wanted to do, but just didn't have the time. And that was Mahi Mahi Tours. They have a ship and you go and see the sites, you can get a guided tour or you can get a meal tour. The meal tours you order your food which is then cooked right there on the ship. But the guided tour tells you where you are and other interesting facts. I would love to do a guided tour. We may go back sometime in the future to do that.
Mahi Mahi Cruises & Charters
Morning Cruises:
This is the grand tour! A relaxing 14-mile loop throughout Salem Sound so you can see all it has to offer.
- Departs Daily at 10:30am
- 1½ hour in length
- Costs: Adults $18, Children $14, Seniors $16
Early Afternoon Cruise & Late Afternoon Cruise:
A shorter version of the Morning Cruise, you’ll either venture along the Salem coastline to Marblehead Harbor or along Beverly’s Gold Coast to Great Misery Island.
- Daily at 2:00pm and 3:30pm
- One hour in length
- Adults $14, Children $10
Lunch Cruises
Let loose, kick back and relax...
During this one-hour lunch break you’ll find everything you’d need for a relaxing experience: the bar is open, the grills are hot and the music is always playing. This one isn't narrated but passengers are always welcome to inquire about the passing landmarks as we set course for either Marblehead Harbor or The Misery Islands.- Departs Daily at 12:30pm
- One hour in length
- Adults $12, Children $8
The Main Stuff...
Chicken, Steak or Tofu Kabobs – Our most popular choice! Prepared with ease in mind, these bite-size pieces are served on skewers with tri-color peppers, mushrooms, and onions so you don’t have to deal with utensils. Two kebobs per serving. $14
Shrimp Kebobs - Unique and delicious, these seven jumbo shrimp are served on delicious edible sugarcane sticks. Two kebobs per serving. $14
Finger Sandwiches – An absolute favorite! An assortment of Boars Head® Ham, Turkey, Roast Beef, Egg Salad, Chicken Salad and Tuna Salad all in mini rolls. You’ll want more than one! $3.50/each
Gourmet Burger – Here at Mahi we’re burger snobs and wouldn’t think of serving you anything but the best. Over a ½ lb. of premium ground beef grilled to order with your choices of cheese, lettuce, onion and tomato on a fresh jumbo bulky roll. $10
Chicken Sandwich – Simple yet desirable! A healthy sized breast seasoned and served with your choices of cheese, lettuce, onion and tomato on a fresh jumbo bulky roll. $9
Grilled Pork Loin – This juicy, mouth-watering favorite is full of flavor. Sliced and served with crushed pepper. $12
New York Strip – A tender 12-oz. steak prepared in a robust rub and grilled just how you like it. $16
Mahi Mahi Steak – Known as dolphin in the tropics, but don’t worry we’re not going to grill “Flipper!” This white-pinkish, firm-textured, mild-tasting fish is lightly seasoned and grilled to perfection. Available as a sandwich with a side of tarter sauce if desired. $14
Twin Grilled Lobster Tails – Two fresh native lobster tails prepared with Caribbean flare and melted butter or rum BBQ sauce on the side. Market Price
Boxed Lunches – Boars Head® Turkey, Ham or Roast Beef sandwiches, accompanied with a refreshment of your choice, chips, and a homemade cookie. $12
Shrimp Kebobs - Unique and delicious, these seven jumbo shrimp are served on delicious edible sugarcane sticks. Two kebobs per serving. $14
Finger Sandwiches – An absolute favorite! An assortment of Boars Head® Ham, Turkey, Roast Beef, Egg Salad, Chicken Salad and Tuna Salad all in mini rolls. You’ll want more than one! $3.50/each
Gourmet Burger – Here at Mahi we’re burger snobs and wouldn’t think of serving you anything but the best. Over a ½ lb. of premium ground beef grilled to order with your choices of cheese, lettuce, onion and tomato on a fresh jumbo bulky roll. $10
Chicken Sandwich – Simple yet desirable! A healthy sized breast seasoned and served with your choices of cheese, lettuce, onion and tomato on a fresh jumbo bulky roll. $9
Grilled Pork Loin – This juicy, mouth-watering favorite is full of flavor. Sliced and served with crushed pepper. $12
New York Strip – A tender 12-oz. steak prepared in a robust rub and grilled just how you like it. $16
Mahi Mahi Steak – Known as dolphin in the tropics, but don’t worry we’re not going to grill “Flipper!” This white-pinkish, firm-textured, mild-tasting fish is lightly seasoned and grilled to perfection. Available as a sandwich with a side of tarter sauce if desired. $14
Twin Grilled Lobster Tails – Two fresh native lobster tails prepared with Caribbean flare and melted butter or rum BBQ sauce on the side. Market Price
Boxed Lunches – Boars Head® Turkey, Ham or Roast Beef sandwiches, accompanied with a refreshment of your choice, chips, and a homemade cookie. $12
Tidbits...
Make it a meal! Add any of the following to your main course for $2.50 per person.
Balsamic Penne Pasta Salad
Prima Vera Pasta Salad
Traditional Garden Salad
Gourmet Potato Salad
Grilled Asparagus
Sweet Corn-On-The-Cob
Tropical Fruit Kebobs
New England Clam Chowder
The Little One's Favorite Hot Dog
Balsamic Penne Pasta Salad
Prima Vera Pasta Salad
Traditional Garden Salad
Gourmet Potato Salad
Grilled Asparagus
Sweet Corn-On-The-Cob
Tropical Fruit Kebobs
New England Clam Chowder
The Little One's Favorite Hot Dog
Treat Yourself...
Key Lime Pie – A large slice of tropical heaven! The perfect way to end the evening. $4.50/slice
Cookie Basket - A variety of your favorite cookies all together in one basket. $1.50/person
Traditional Pastry Platter – A delicious assortment of all the best pastries. Everything from apple and raspberry turn-overs to brownies, congo bars and butter cookies. $4.25/person
Custom Cakes – Perfect for a birthday, graduation, or anyone deserving recognition. Many different sizes, flavors and options. Prices Vary
Cookie Basket - A variety of your favorite cookies all together in one basket. $1.50/person
Traditional Pastry Platter – A delicious assortment of all the best pastries. Everything from apple and raspberry turn-overs to brownies, congo bars and butter cookies. $4.25/person
Custom Cakes – Perfect for a birthday, graduation, or anyone deserving recognition. Many different sizes, flavors and options. Prices Vary
They have a dinner menu as well, but you can follow the link yourself to find out more!
For my family of six, plus the food we'd most likely eat would cost us $124 plus drinks. I'm sure it would be a tasty $124 though.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Vacation Day Three and Four
Day three and four were not days for pictures. Day three we did laundry. While my parents went with J's parents to the Norman Rockwell Museum. And day four we went to the temple. I planned to take pictures of the outside of the building, but we took my parents rental car, and my camera was in my car. Oops!
We were in the temple when the fire alarm went off! We had to evacuate the building! It was not fun. But you don't realize how white white can be until you see a bunch of people in white standing outside the temple. On our way home the highway, all three lanes! was closed. So we had to figure out a way to get home. Thankfully we are in Massachusetts and they don't bother with silly things like detour signs. So we kinda just guessed and it worked out well. It may have been the most out of the way possible route to the highway, but we made it! And it took us less time than another Sister who left about an hour and a half after we did. We took just over 2 hours, her ride was 4 hours!
I'll post about Friday tomorrow. It's almost midnight and I'm tired. And I just realized that Madison's Baptism was the point of this vacation and I have neglected to mention it!
We were in the temple when the fire alarm went off! We had to evacuate the building! It was not fun. But you don't realize how white white can be until you see a bunch of people in white standing outside the temple. On our way home the highway, all three lanes! was closed. So we had to figure out a way to get home. Thankfully we are in Massachusetts and they don't bother with silly things like detour signs. So we kinda just guessed and it worked out well. It may have been the most out of the way possible route to the highway, but we made it! And it took us less time than another Sister who left about an hour and a half after we did. We took just over 2 hours, her ride was 4 hours!
I'll post about Friday tomorrow. It's almost midnight and I'm tired. And I just realized that Madison's Baptism was the point of this vacation and I have neglected to mention it!
Vacation Day Two
Gillette Castle- Not the razors but the actor.
William Hooker Gillette, noted actor, director, and playwright, built this one hundred and eighty-four acre estate, the Seventh Sister. The focal point of his effort was a twenty four room mansion reminiscent of a medieval castle.
Gillette Castle Website
Gillette was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1853, the son of former U.S. Senator Francis Gillette and his wife Elizabeth Daggett Hooker Gillette, a descendent of Thomas Hooker, the founder of Hartford.
Go to the website for more interesting facts! Parking is free and it's $6 for kids and $8 for adults, I think, to tour the castle. Magnets are $2. I forgot my $2, so I'm sad. But we will go back and walk the grounds instead of tour the castle, which is free. Excepting gas.
Mr Gillette gave Sherlock Holmes his particularities that everyone thinks of when they think of Sherlock Holmes. Things like, "Elementary, my dear Watson." and the pipe.
You can't touch anything while inside the castle, but it is still interesting. The guy was a real jokester too! He had a special lock on his liquor cabinet. He'd lock it up, then retire to bed, letting his guests know that they can go ahead and have another drink. He'd go to his room and watch, from a mirror in the wall, his guests struggle to figure out the invisible lock! After a time he'd go down stairs and ask why they hadn't made themselves a drink. Then he'd just open the cabinet as if it were nothing.
The attendants will show you the secret to the lock and the story. Then you can go and stand at his bedroom doorway and see the liquor cabinet.
This really pretty arch leads to a building in the bottom right corner. That building is the composting building. There are no animals large enough to leave droppings for fertilizer, other than the humans. Thankfully, the bathrooms didn't smell but it was still gross.
I washed my hand through two verses of Happy Birthday and then had try to dry my hands with an air dryer! So I had to touch the door with my bare hands. Just adding to the Eww factor. Bring hand sanitizing wipes!
Here is a side view of the castle.
I have many more pictures, but I don't want to spoil the tour for anyone. But as a hint to anyone interested. The light switches, the window latches, the doors and all the locks, even for the liquor cabinet are all wood!
On our way to lunch we decided to take a ferry ride. It was only $3! But it was plenty of fun! We got to get out of the car and look over the edge. It was neat feeling the salty spray and smell of the ocean water that is mixing with the fresh water.
William Hooker Gillette, noted actor, director, and playwright, built this one hundred and eighty-four acre estate, the Seventh Sister. The focal point of his effort was a twenty four room mansion reminiscent of a medieval castle.
Gillette Castle Website
Gillette was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1853, the son of former U.S. Senator Francis Gillette and his wife Elizabeth Daggett Hooker Gillette, a descendent of Thomas Hooker, the founder of Hartford.
Go to the website for more interesting facts! Parking is free and it's $6 for kids and $8 for adults, I think, to tour the castle. Magnets are $2. I forgot my $2, so I'm sad. But we will go back and walk the grounds instead of tour the castle, which is free. Excepting gas.
Mr Gillette gave Sherlock Holmes his particularities that everyone thinks of when they think of Sherlock Holmes. Things like, "Elementary, my dear Watson." and the pipe.
You can't touch anything while inside the castle, but it is still interesting. The guy was a real jokester too! He had a special lock on his liquor cabinet. He'd lock it up, then retire to bed, letting his guests know that they can go ahead and have another drink. He'd go to his room and watch, from a mirror in the wall, his guests struggle to figure out the invisible lock! After a time he'd go down stairs and ask why they hadn't made themselves a drink. Then he'd just open the cabinet as if it were nothing.
The attendants will show you the secret to the lock and the story. Then you can go and stand at his bedroom doorway and see the liquor cabinet.
I washed my hand through two verses of Happy Birthday and then had try to dry my hands with an air dryer! So I had to touch the door with my bare hands. Just adding to the Eww factor. Bring hand sanitizing wipes!
Here is a side view of the castle.
I have many more pictures, but I don't want to spoil the tour for anyone. But as a hint to anyone interested. The light switches, the window latches, the doors and all the locks, even for the liquor cabinet are all wood!
On our way to lunch we decided to take a ferry ride. It was only $3! But it was plenty of fun! We got to get out of the car and look over the edge. It was neat feeling the salty spray and smell of the ocean water that is mixing with the fresh water.
Vacation Part Deux
Glacial Pot Holes and The Bridge of Flowers-
The potholes are not as exciting to look at as I had hoped. They have an interesting history though. As the water rolled down the hill the small rocks would tumble around and create a small concave. Over time that concave became a hole. They have damed up the water flow. They also don't allow anyone to get too close because too many have been hurt, and there is almost no way to get an ambulance down there. In this picture you can see two small glacial potholes and a large one with less regular edges. As well as a half hole that must have broken as the water direction changed, possibly from the damming of the water.
Taylor
Madison
Bailey
Jordan
Jason
Grandpa
Grandma
Me. Becky
Here we are all enjoying our most delicious ice cream. You will probably never see another picture of me on this blog. So enjoy it.
The Bridge of Flowers is located in Shelburne Falls. There is not much to do there, other than a short strip of shops, similar to what you'd find in any tourist trap. The Glacial Potholes are a short walk down the street from the bridge giving the town three reasons to be visited. The third being the candy and ice cream shop at the end of the bridge. Which, if you go, stop there and get the Burnt Sugar ice cream, it's fantastic. The kids really enjoyed the chocolate cookie dough ice cream. I can't remember what every got, but it was all good!
The potholes are not as exciting to look at as I had hoped. They have an interesting history though. As the water rolled down the hill the small rocks would tumble around and create a small concave. Over time that concave became a hole. They have damed up the water flow. They also don't allow anyone to get too close because too many have been hurt, and there is almost no way to get an ambulance down there. In this picture you can see two small glacial potholes and a large one with less regular edges. As well as a half hole that must have broken as the water direction changed, possibly from the damming of the water.
Taylor
Madison
Bailey
Jordan
Jason
Grandpa
Grandma
Me. Becky
Here we are all enjoying our most delicious ice cream. You will probably never see another picture of me on this blog. So enjoy it.
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