6/23/19 Making Memories

Sunday we attended church at the Brewster Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We’ve gone there a few times every summer and Christmas for the last 3 years, so the members know us somewhat, and the boys headed off to Primary right after Sacrament Meeting without even asking us where to go. It was a missionary homecoming for a young Elder that just returned from serving 2 years in the Philippines. The little branch was humming with excitement and so proud of their boy.

After church we FINALLY had sunny weather, and it was warm enough to go to the beach.  The kids had been begging to go to Bass Hole (Gray’sBeach) in Yarmouth.  They love it there because there are always TONS of crabs to catch, and not just hermit crabs.  Nate went fishing and let Hudson reel in a nice sized striper.  We went way out onto the sand across the little bay while the tide was out.  Peter joined us, and on the way back he helped get Hudson across the incoming tide that was up to our waist by then, and COLD.The kids had so much fun swimming and catching crabs. I only took one picture of the day with our group: Peter and Eileen, Denise, Nate, the boys, and myself (taking the picture). It was a beautiful and relaxing afternoon.

I made pot roast, carrots, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn on the cob and salad for dinner. Jimand Denise joined us and Grandpa at home for dinner, and we had a great evening together. 

After dinner Grandpa shared with us some of hisWWII photos, and other memorabilia from his life and career.  He has an old WWII ration couponbook from when he was 16 years old.  He also has a military newspaper from when the war ended that has Hitler on it as well as photos of concentration camps from Europe, etc.  So many relics of a time so long ago—it was amazing! 

This is one of Grandpa as a very young boy.  I’d guess he’s 3 or 4 years old in this picture.

Beautiful, young Nana

Grandpa worked for I-tech in the 1960s, and here he is (on the right) with the first IBM 360 computer.  He also was involved with one of the first satellites, and was one of the first who telecommuted through a modem via telephone. His careerfascinated me.

We had a great time going through many old photos, and hearing lots of stories.

6/22/19 Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

On Saturday we took a break from Cape Cod and went to Boston for the day. Our ultimate destination was the Red Sox game in the evening, so we had a few hours to enjoy some of the city. We decided to show the kids another side of the city they’d never seen.  We parked near Copley Square, and showed them the Prudential Building. Didn’t have time to do the skywalk at the top, but the kids thought the view of all the tall buildings from the street was pretty cool too.

Before walking around the city, we headed across the street to the Boston Public Library for a pit stop. I’d forgotten how beautiful the library is inside! This is the ceiling in the main lobby.

This is the main staircase. The kids couldn’t believe this is where I used to check out library books.

The boys also enjoyed looking at all the gorgeous old churches in Copley square just as much aswe did. Just as we got an ice cream from an ice cream truck right in front of Copley Square, I told them how more than 20 years ago Nate had brought me to Copley Square for a Saturday date in the city, and we had also enjoyed ice cream from an ice cream truck.

 

We explored the Boston Gardens and the Common.

Hudson really enjoyed the little ducklings in the pond that were very tame. He nearly touched them!

There were some very interesting street performers in the park.

The carousel in the Common was fun for Huddy!

Cooper was trying hard to act too old for it, and Ihad to beg him to smile for a picture. 

The kids had fun at the playground for a few minutes.

Hudson was determined to do this monkey bars all by himself. He tried and tried at least six or seven times. One day he’ll get it because he doesn’t give up easily. He only stopped because we realized we’d spent too much time dawdling, and now we were gonna be late for the game.

We rushed back to the T stop at Copley Square (thinking back...why didn’t we just get on at Park Street? Duh!) Hudson was tired of walking, and Nate and I took turns carrying our 50 lb. 6 yr old.Phew!  After some very crowded T cars, adventures in navigating busy T stops, walking around the entire stadium to get to our gate, and pushing through the crowds and managing to make it through security, we finally arrived...

FENWAY PARK!

It was Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays. After a short rain delay, we only missed the opening ceremonies and the first inning.  We bought some fresh fish sandwiches for us, and hot dogs for the kids, and headed to our seats.  Hudson said he wanted the fish sandwich instead, so I gave him mine, thinking he’d probably eat about half of it.  The boy ate the WHOLE thing!!  Fenway frank for mom.

By the bottom of the 2nd, Hudson said he was too hot and asked when could we go home. LOL! He kept busy the rest of the game playing with my phone...

I made him a little seat from the backpack full of rain jackets down on the aisle between the seats, in the shade of the people in front of us. He was content to hang out there for a good while.

This was their first professional sports event to attend in person, so the boys had fun learning about stadiums and crowds of fans.  Some of their favorite moments at the game were: singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” with everyone accompanied by the old organ, doing “the wave,” watching the fans on the big screen, and singing Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” just when the fans needed a morale boost.

Coop sat next to a kid who was turning 9 that day, whose name was Matthew. He made a friend! They had fun chatting and enjoying the game together.

I left for a bathroom break, and came back to see the tv camera man standing in front of Hudson. I thought he was on camera, but it was a woman just a few seats over, who was dancing like a mad woman.  Too bad they missed Hudson dancing his little heart out.  The boy likes to dance!

C’mon Sox!

Perfect, gorgeous day for a ballgame.

Red Sox!

It was such a memorable day, even though the Red Sox lost their 5 point lead in the top of the 6th inning. We stayed to the end, and cheered with hope filled cries as JD Martinez had a chance to hit a hopeful home run in the bottom of the 9th with Betts on 2nd, 2 outs. We cheered him on, but alas, he struck out, and the Red Sox ended up losing 7 to 8.

It was still a fun game, and a day we will all remember for a very long time. 

6/21/19: Sleepy Rainy Day

I had laundry and things to catch up on, so we invited cousin Cordelia to come play with the boys at Grandpa’s house all morning.  They had a great time finding “treasures” in the basement; treasures like an old cassette Walkman and a “decision maker (gives answers like a magic 8 ball).  

We met everyone at Marshside for lunch. Had toget a photo of our two 6 year olds missing their two front teeth. Well, Hudson’s permanent ones are about halfway grown in, but close enough.  Too cute!!

David and Cordelia ordered mussels as an appetizer, and Cooper couldn’t help not eating some too. The boy loves him some seafood. And guesswhat he ordered for lunch? You guesses it—NewEngland Clam Chowder!

The kids kept busy with fun things Aunt Delia brought.  Hudson colored a picture he said was like a painting by a famous artist. It was very colorful.

Uncle Tom bought his art for $1, so Hudson soldhis first piece of art!

Denise and I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening working on cleaning out some of Grandpa’s basement. I’ll have to take a picture—we worked so hard!

The guys—Nathan, Cooper, David and Grandpa—went to the movies to see Godzilla.  Coop liked it, but said it was dumb how people just stoodthere looking at the monsters instead of running away immediately. He did like being one of the big boys going to a grown-up movie.

6/20/19 Tugboats and Cape Bowl

Lunch at Tugboats on the harbor in Hyannis wasfun. The kids and Grandpa enjoyed watching thebig boats come in from the islands.

It was beautiful jacket weather to enjoy the afternoon on the deck!

Cooper has ordered a big bowl of chowdah every time we’ve gone out to eat, except the time heordered a lobster roll and a cup of chowder.

Nate almost always orders a lobster roll.

Huddy wants all the hugs!

Cooper took a dare from Uncle David to tell someone at the restaurant that Tom Brady was better than the quarterback on the team jersey that kid was wearing.  He learned a lesson in the power of peer pressure, but it was lost on him from the $10 he got for doing the dare.

After lunch Uncle David spoiled the kids by taking them to a new toy store, and they had fun picking out a toy.

Then we took the kids bowling at Cape Bowl. Cooper won the first game of candlepin. Delia andI had fun bowling left-handed, and found out we’re about the same either way. LOL

At one point I looked over to see the boys sitting nicely with their arms around each other’s shoulders. In the few seconds it took me to grab the camera to try to document that sweet, fleeting moment, the nice hug had degenerated into a neck hold. But there is evidence that they can do more than fight with one another!

Hudson won candlepin against Dad, and won the 10-pin game as well with a score of 87!

Number 1!

  The kids had a blast playing video games, and Cooperwon 2 stuffed animals, 5 balls, and 2 squishy toys from the claw machine.