We Can Help!

Amy, my drop dead gorgeous college roommate, and one of the absolute best people I have ever known, was hit with devastating news in August. Shortly after celebrating the birth of their third child, her husband, Leo, was diagnosed with Stage IV Melanoma, and given a life expectancy of 9 months.

Leo had just graduated and was in the process of searching for a job when the cancer was discovered. Without adequate insurance, this sweet family is not only fighting for life, but faced with costly medical expenses as well.

Please help the Teemant family by donating any amount you are able. Proceeds go directly to Amy and Leo in their battle to beat cancer.

To find out more, click on this link, or you may click on the badge at the top of the right hand sidebar.

Pumpkin Picking Perfection

Today was a holiday. And it was 80 degrees. Which by definition, makes it a perfect day.

We elected to take advantage by visiting one of our favorites, Wightman's Farms, to do a little pumpkin picking. We began with a bouncy hayride.

Then each took turns picking our perfect ten pumpkin.

We finished off the trip with donuts and fresh apple cider. And my absolute favorite part of a visit to the farm, pie. We brought home a most decadent bakery confection packed full of blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb, and apple. It will be consumed as soon as the children go to bed. In mass quantities. Because Allen is back to Boston tomorrow.

And real life will return. Oh exhaustion.

Weekend Getaway: Boston, Day 3

Our Boston finale began with breakfast. As should always be the case with any good finale. We ventured back up to Beacon Hill, this time to try out The Paramount. Which made us feel totally hip. And full. Really, really full.

We stopped for a photo op in front of Cheers. Who cares that I have never seen a full episode. It's the cool thing to do. Too bad I didn't study the hand a little better before I tried to imitate it. Idiot.

Allen naked wasted. You know. Because it's a bar. And we are cool like that.

Okay, so our Boston finale didn't actually begin with breakfast. The day started with all of us cuddled up in bed reading Make Way for Ducklings. All for this.

And this. All aboard Mrs. Mallard.

And to feed some ducks. Which may or may not have been illegal.

And finally, posing on the bridge, with the Mallard's homey island behind. The kids thoroughly enjoyed seeing the book come to life. It was kind of adorable.

We drove through Harvard Square, and determined it a phenomenal college town and agreed we would love to go to school there. For graduate degrees. Because no college town is more perfect than Provo :)

Our last stop was the Boston Temple. Because it was Sunday. And we are super righteous.

It's pretty obvious who the favorite parent is. I seriously considered running to the car and escaping at this point. Instead I took a picture. Still questioning my decision.

A couple notes about Boston:

*Every single person I have ever spoken to that has ever been to Boston has nothing but good things to say about. I can now be one of those people.

*Boston is gorgeous. Pristine, well-kept, quaint, charming, full of fabulous shopping and fine dining. If it wasn't so bloody cold there, it would be the perfect city.

*The weather was divine. Sunshiny and crisp and perfectly Fall.

*The drive to and from Boston was breathtaking. Picturesque. The tree lined highways are in full Fall color. Ablaze and vibrant and magnificent.

*There were many things we did not see or do in Boston. However, it was a perfectly paced trip. Relaxing, enjoyable and new. A little dreamy weekend getaway.

Life really is pretty fabulous. We are some lucky kids I think.

Weekend Getaway: Boston, Day 2

Saturday we spent walking. And shopping. And eating. It was perfection. We started off roaming around the Public Garden. Where we met up with George Washington.

And a statue commemorating the discovery of the effects of Ether at Mass. General Hospital. If only I had a statue for every drug I discovered the effects of (that was a joke father).

From the Public Garden, we headed to Beacon Hill. Where we had a most delectable breakfast at the Beacon Hill Bistro. No joke. Best french toast I have ever consumed. Ever. Tessa was a fan of the crayons. As in, the best crayons she had ever consumed. Ever.

We played in Beacon Hill, walked up and down Charles street, shopped like animals, ate lunch Downtown, then headed back to the hotel.

The State Building. In case that wasn't obvious.

We took a pit stop at the park in the Public Garden to make sure the kids were extra sleepy.

Refreshed from naps, we headed to Newbury street where we feasted on some seriously fanciful food. I had to refrain from licking my clam chowder bowl. Not because I have manners, but because I didn't want to get kicked out before I ate my entree.

We walked off our dinner while salivating into the windows along Newbury, then headed back to the hotel. Where the kids and their father swam. And I watched football on the TV inside the bathroom mirror while Tessa fell asleep.

Then the big kids fell asleep. And Allen went across the street and picked us up some disgustingly delicious Ben and Jerry's. Which we ate in the bathroom. As is our tradition while vacationing with children. Don't stick your nose up at us. They are always super nice bathrooms.

The End of day two.

Weekend Getaway: Boston, Day 1

Allen was working in Boston all week. He was scheduled to fly home Friday evening. Instead, the following occurred:

Allen cancelled his flight

Allen booked a fancy shmancy hotel for the weekend

I packed

Ryder ditched school

I loaded children in the car

I drove 5 hours (should have been 4. Stupid traffic) all by my lonesome to Boston. Where we joined daddy.

We began with lunch at the Prudential Center, where I at a Lobster Bisque that dreams are made of. Seriously. Followed by a tour of Boston on a Duck Boat (World War II amphibious landing vehicles...or a big 'ole bus thingie that travels on land and in water). Like this beauty. Except ours was Pepto-Bismol pink. Linley was thrilled. Ryder nearly refused to step foot on the girly ride.

Aboard the Duck Boat. Don't be fooled by Tessa's smile. She was angry. Real angry. Unfortunately, she could not be allowed to jump out the window. Although, I am certain we all considered it. Many, many times.

We toured all around Boston, learning the history and seeing the sights. Then, the duck boat took us into the Charles River. Where Linley drove. It was fun. A perfect way to take in Boston. That said, it was long. Like 2 hours long. Which probably would not have felt nearly as long had Tessa made the jump out the window at Beacon Hill.

Then we grabbed some dinner and finally arrived at our hotel. Where I got picture happy.

th yoohoos and chocolate chip cookies for their feasting pleasure.

Three days playing in Boston and Ryder will say his favorite part of the trip was swimming in the hotel pool. Or maybe the kid sized robes and slippers.

And the only reason this picture made this post was the boots. I like my boots. It was a real long day. Just look at my boots. And like them.

Come Again???

Warning: Adult Language Below

A couple weeks ago the kids and I were walking Ryder to school. The following conversation ensued.

Ryder: "Mom. Wait up. Jackass is behind us."

Me: "Who?"

Ryder: "Jackass. He's my friend from school. He sits next to me."

Me: "What did you call him?"

Ryder: "Jackass. That's his name mom."

Me: "We don't call people that Ryder. It is not a nice name."

Ryder: "But that's what all my friends call him."

Me: "It doesn't matter. I don't want you calling him that. We don't say that word."

Ryder: "But even my teacher told us to call him Jackass."

Me: "Ryder. I highly doubt your teacher told you to call him that. I don't want you calling him that anymore."

Ryder: "But mom. His last name is Stephens. And there are two Jack's in our class. And we have to call him Jack S."

Me: "Oh. Okay."