It seems we are always playing catch up. We seem to be too exhausted from getting to bed late. We seem to have the schedule of getting to bed at 11:00ish and getting up at 8:00am with both feet on the ground running. I wanted to add a bit about Palmyra. Aaron gave a good list of what we saw. It was interesting. The printing press (Grandin's press ) was interesting. I had no idea that he had just gotten the press 6 months before the Book of Mormon needed to be printed, and that he quit the printing business 2 years after the BofM printing and went back to farming. I thought that was pretty amazing. Kids voted that the most interesting and favorite for some kids. (I ususally quiz them about their favorites at the end of the day). The Sacred Grove was spiritual. beautiful and peaceful. We spent some time walking around the grove to soak in the wonderful spirit there. I know it impacted some more than others. Overall, it was a great day for all.
Thursday we drove to Springfield, MA. We had a bit of an easier day. We drove about 5 hours to get there and then went to the Yankee Candle Factory Flagship Store. It was HUGE! It was the "scenter of the universe" according to them. It took us a couple of hours to see the place. Kids dipped candles in all sorts of colors (most did rainbow) and they enjoyed the toy store that was in there. They even saw Santa while they were there. (Now you know where Santa spends his summers.) After the store we went back to the hotel and most of the kids swam while Gary and Annika went to Costco to find something for dinner. We have been cooking /microwaving more in our hotel room lately to save money on meals. I think I'm going to be tired of peanut butter sandwiches by the time we are finished with this trip.
Friday we spent in Sturbridge, MA. This was recommended to us by a friend in Bothell. It was well worth the time there. Old Sturbridge Village is a village that is set up as if in the 1830's. They do everything as if it were that time period. It was intereting to see things from a non church point of view since it was the same time period. The most notable was watching the saw mill (just like the one in Kirtland) actually work. It was amazing to see the water flow down and make this huge blade go up and down. The black smith was interesting. Both Nathan and Aaron tried their hand at being blacksmiths by making a hook and then blackening it with linseed oil. Kassie tried her hand at being a broom maker. We spent about 8 hours there seeing and doing everything. Aaron and Kassie especially liked the hoop races. That evening we drove to Bedford, MA to an old hotel where we will be staying for the next three nights.
Saturday morning we drove to Alewife (a subway station) and took the T (the subway) into Boston. We barely made the train since we had a hard time figuring out the cards and the entry gates weren't cooperating. I was happy to make it on the train. While in Boston we walked the Freedom trail where we saw the Boston Commons, the State House, lots of old churches, old graveyards where Paul Revere etc. were burried, the old North Church, Quincy Market and lots of other notable historical sights. We ate lunch in Little Italy in a small park. We bought Pizza at a small out of the way Italian Bakery, and then tried another reccommendation- a "lobster tail" at a place called Mike's Pasteries. They were HUGE and filled with lots of artery clogging cream. After spending some time in the Little Italy Area, we split up. Half of us went to the Museum of Science, and the other half went back to where the tea party ship was supposed to be, but alas, it wasn't there. They did stop off at some fountains where kids played and got soaking wet, which they thought was great since it was definitely a hot day. The half that went to the museum got to see the Lightning show that the musuem does. It was one of the most facsinating things I've ever seen. It was well worth the visit. They explained how lightning worked and they showed how it was the metal on the car that kept one safe from lightning and not the rubber on a tires like I had thought. It totally went against everything I thought, but I saw it with my own eyes. The other amazing thing was they had a petrified lighning bolt there on display. Lightning had struck a sand dune? and the sand fused together in the shape of the lightning bolt-very interesting. We convinced the other four that they need to go on Monday and experience it for themselves. We were very lucky because our science center pass from Seattle got us in for free (up to four people). After returning to Bedford we went to a small neighboring town for fireworks which was great (except for the bugs).
Today we went to church in the morning. The kids begged to sleep in. I think they are tired from all the running (they also informed us that they are tire of seeing old churches and graveyards). They did sleep in for a bit the then we rushed and got to church about 15 minutes away with 2 minutes to spare. We sat behind a family who after sacrament meeting introduced themselves. It turned out to be Gary's old mission companion. What a small world. They were in Logan when we were attending USU, and we hadn't kept track since. It was pretty amazing!
After church ended at 1:00 (btw-10:00 church is what I'd consider the ideal church time-a bit of time to sleep in but time to have an afternoon free), we went later to the Minuteman National Park. This is located in Concord and Lexington. It was really interesting to see the old North Bridge, and also to see their presentation of the events that happened on April 19, 1775. It was very well done. I have thought that this was a great day (on July 4th) to see that since that was the beginning in a way of the fight for freedom. I've gained a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices that have been made in my behalf for the freedom and gospel that I have It it amazing to see the Lord's hand in everything. I just hope that some day that our children can gain that understanding as well. I do think this trip has helped, but sometimes I wonder if the walking, the barrage of information, and distractions sometimes diminishes the gain that could happen.
I am thinking that being tied up together 24/7 for an extended period of time isn't a good idea, we have now hit the-how much patience can I teach my sibbling by ramdomly bothering them for a certain period of time-stage. Maybe the sibling's patience is building, but mine is not. I amazed that Gary's mom is still sane from all of us. It has been nice to have her around. We've been very lucky to have her here with us. I believe her patience is better than all of us put together. Gary's seems to be holding out as well. He never ceases to amaze me.
Anyway, I hope this is a good catch up. I guess the best thing I can say is that I'm grateful. Grateful for the patriots and people that have gone before us and for the blessings I have because of them. May you all have a wonderful holiday!
Becky
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