Sweetheart Time (Boston)

Back in early May, I was lucky enough to get away for a week with my sweetheart! Yay for American Express and Delta points! We managed to fly and stay for free. All we had to pay for was food and a rental car for a few days.

We flew to Boston and spent a few days there. It was so great to see all the historical sights from our country's early history! The first day we walked all along the Freedom Trail. It was so cool to walk through Battery Park,

and follow the little brick trail as it took is through the city. We got to see some really cool old churches that our early leaders attended. 

We got to see Paul Revere's home and some really awesome old cemeteries.

The North Church where the lanterns were hung was huge!  I always pictured it much smaller and not as majestic.

Brad had me take a picture where he thought that Nic Cage might be hiding at the end of National Treasure!

That evening we ate at the oldest tavern in America called "A Bell in the Hand" or something like that. I really enjoyed just wandering around all day!

On our 2nd day, we rented a car and went to Bunker Hill and climbed to the top.  I was pretty proud of myself with my bad knee . . . it was hard.

Then we went to see the USS Constitution, or "Old Ironsides". 

After we were done there we drove to Cape Cod.  It was fun, but it didn't look anything like expected - I don't really know what I expected though:)  It was a fun day and we ate great seafood.

 

A lobster trap

The next day, we checked out of the hotel and drove over to tour Lexington and Concord. We found the temple and of course it was beautiful.  We didn't stay long because it was raining.

Concord was absolutely gorgeous! It was one of the cutest towns I have ever seen. But like a dummy, I didn't take any pictures :( We got some sandwiches and sat out on an old bench to eat them. Then we went along the trail where the British army marched and watched a movie at the visitors center that explained things really well. It was so green and quiet.

We spent some quiet time on the bridge where the first battle started. Brad and I both commented on the feeling of sacredness we felt there. It was quiet and beautiful and the perfect place to reflect on the greatness and sacrifices of our forefathers. I am so grateful that they let themselves be led by God.

We were also fortunate enough to go to Louisa May Alcotts house and Walden Pond. It rained off and on all day.  Everywhere we went I was struck by how green, lovely, peaceful and quiet it was.

Look at this crazy cool barn of Louisa's!

There were little walking trails by the homes.

I loved Boston!  I am so glad that we finally got to spend some time there.  I would go back in a heartbeat.  I would love to see it in the Autumn.    (to be continued)

Introducing . . .

the newest BYU graduate!!!!  Emily graduated on Friday, April 24, 2010 with a B.A. in English and Minors in Editing and Music.  What a fabulous accomplishment!  And . . . she did the whole thing in 4 years.  It seems like that doesn't happen very often anymore.  It has been a goal for her ever since she was a little girl.

Some of us were lucky enough to go up and celebrate with her.  Brad and I and Danny and Ryan arrived in time on Thursday to attend the huge graduation.  I think they said there were 5 to 6,000 graduates.  Elder Christopherson was the main speaker and it was really nice.  Afterwards, Emily chose to celebrate with Indian food.  We were a little skeptical to take the younger boys there, but decided to try it out.  Everyone loved it!  The only things that were missing were Taylor and Alex.  Taylor is in the DR on his mission and Alex had to stay home for Volleyball and school.

Emily kept the boys with her that night and partied and had a sleepover while Brad and I went on up to Park City to Andy's condo.  We are so thankful that we have such a generous brother and sister-in-law.  They have let us use the place a lot over the years.  Thanks guys!

The next morning it was raining, but it was still really nice.  We picked up Emily and she and I ran into the Hinckley Building so she could meet the Pres. of BYU.  Then we dropped her off and went on over to the Marriott Center.  We got great seats.  For the convocation, I think there were around 600 graduates in the School of Humanities.  It was really nice too and this was the one where they actually call their name and give them the diploma.  Then we got to go in building where Emily spent most of her time and meet one of her professors.

  President Samuelson and wife

It was such a great weekend and we are so proud of her!  I think she is a little sad that it is all over with, but she has a great future ahead of her too.  She just found out last week that she was chosen for an internship in the Fall with the Liahona magazine!  It is really prestigious and hard to get - plus they will pay her $13 an hour while she is doing it!  I can't believe our little girl is all grown up :)

She might have been crying a little :)

The happy family minus 2

This is the cute little house that Emily will live in next year.  She will live in Provo and commute to Salt Lake to the church office building.  She is really excited about it.

Ryan's Special Day!

Today was Ryan's baptism day!  He has waited anxiously for a month.  His birthday was on February 14th, but last month's baptisms were held the day before his birthday.  He has had a lot to occupy his though with starting Cub Scouts (which he is loving)!  Ryan has prepared himself really well for this day and he took it really seriously.  He has been reading his scriptures and writing in his journal.  I am so proud of him!  

This morning before we left he got to open a few gifts.  He got a new tie and tie tac from Nana.  The tie has Captain Moroni on it and the tie tac says CTR.  Next he opened his brand new scriptures!  He specifically requested a blue quad like his brother Danny's.  He also got a scripture bag to put them in.  Later in the day, the Mooney's gave him a little hymn book to match, the Patterson's gave him some money and his teacher Sister Pond game him a journal and a baptism book.

He was excited to share this special day with his buddy Jack Raymond.  They even share the same birthday!

It was such a special day!  Emily was able to come down from Provo to be with us, so all we were missing was our awesome missionary Taylor.  I know he was thinking about us today.  The meeting was really nice.  The Stake Primary leaders spoke and the kids who were getting baptized sang "If the Saviour Were Beside Me".  It was really beautiful and we could hear Ryan's pretty voice.  After he was baptized, we met in the chapel for the confirmations and Sister Raymond and I bore our testimonies.  Then the Bishop (Brad) wrapped it up very nicely and Danny was asked to say the closing prayer.  We came home and had a nice lunch with family.

All in all, it was a beautiful day with a sweet spirit.  I can't believe that this is our last child to get baptized.  We are so proud of him and the wonderful, happy, good boy that he is.  We love you very much Ryan!

Aunt Oleta

Aunt Oleta passed away on January 15th.  She was 95 years old.  Brad and I were lucky enough to go up to Salt Lake to her funeral.  It was quite an adventure because we ended up getting stranded in Salt Lake for an extra night because Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix actually closed because of wicked thunderstorms and windshear.  There was actually a tornado watch also.

I met Aunt Oleta 24 years ago during April conference.  Brad's parents came up for conference that year, so he took me to Aunt Oleta's to stay with the relative while he and his dad went to Priesthood conference. It was kind of scarey because I was so shy, but they were all so nice and sweet.  We saw Uncle Ashael and Oleta as often as we could through the years.  They were really more like grandparents to the McBride kids because theirs had passed away and Uncle Ashael and Aunt Oleta had helped to raise Horton.  They were such wonderful people.  I am so glad that I was privileged enough to get to know them.  I'm also glad that I took the time to take Taylor and Emily over to see her in September on our way down to the MTC.   She was a great lady and we will miss her!

Christmas 2009

Christmas this year was good but was really different.  It was the first time ever that we had a member of the family missing.  With Taylor in the Dominican Republic, we felt a definite hole.  Luckily Emily was able to come home again and be with us.  She is always such a wonderful help at Christmas time.  I don't know what I would do without her.  She was a great help in the kitchen and with the wrapping.  She has also been doing a lot of sorting around here.  You should see the pile to go to Deseret Industries!

We did all the usual things.  We had the Patterson party the Monday before Christmas at Don and Leslie's this year.  It was really nice to have so much of the family there.  We had the traditional soup, and then for dessert, we had cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate.

Danny reading his part during the program

Mom and all my boys!

For Christmas Eve, we did our annual progressive dinner with McBride side of the family.  It is always a lot of fun.  Everyone missed Taylor and Matt.  We started with appetizers at the McBride's, had the main course at the Mooney's and ended up with dessert at our house.  Everyone performs at their own houses and gives their gifts.

Cole and Max

Aunt Susie, Diana, and Uncle Mark

Alex and Emily playing a duet

Danny on cello and Emily on piano

Ryan singing

I was proud of all my kids.  They have so much wonderful musical talent!

Later that night, we opened the kids jammies, laid out cookies and Diet Coke for Santa, read Luke 2 and "Twas the Night Before Christmas and then tucked ourselves in for a long winter's nap.

Family minus Taylor

Kids plus Murphy but minus Taylor :(

Elder McBride on Christmas morning!

an excited Ryan!

Danny putting the angel on the tree (I forgot to put this pic earlier)

All in all it was a good Christmas.  The very best gift I got was getting to talk to Taylor for a whole hour on the phone!  It was so good to hear his voice.  He is homesick, but is very happy and is a wonderful missionary!