Memorial Day 2012

 Memorial Day was a lot of fun for 2012. First the kids both did a race in Stonington Connecticut. They had a lot of fun. Then Westerly had a parade, art festival, and memorial service where everyone threw flowers in the river in remembrance of fallen soldiers while the cannons were shot off, and bag pipes played. It really was a great day.

Raiyah getting in position for the race

Look at that concentration!

fountain, and shops in Westerly

Westerly River on Connecticut border

Shops in downtown Westerly

Main Street downtown

Post office

Library

Don't you just love the quaint feeling this small town has. We loved the small, hometown feeling of Westerly.

Malakai preparing for the race. He wasn't sure what was going on, and started a few seconds after the rest of the kids.  :)

PROVIDENCE ZOO,2012

 PROVIDENCE ZOO!!! We always like our days at the zoo. This zoo isn't the biggest we have been to but it has some different animals we aren't used to seeing which is fun, and the children's play area is great.

Kettle Pond, Rhode Island

 Kettle Pond is a beautiful gem that could be easily missed in Rhode Island. We enjoyed taking a little nature hike and enjoying the beauty.

Plymouth Massachusetts

 Plymouth Massachusetts was a place we really wanted to go because you learn about it through all of American history. I have a mixed view of Plymouth and am not sure how I felt about visiting there. I am glad we went just so we know we did but it was not my favorite historical place to visit. That being said the cemetary was beautiful and it was fun seeing where some of Ryan's ancestors settled.

First Church in Plymouth

Replica of the Mayflower

 This cemetary was beautiful and humblding thinking of all the suffering that came to those who died here. it was also the site of the first fort built in 1621. Most of the first settlers are buried here.

Supposed Plymouth Rock. From the stories we hear in school this was some grand rock that lead the pilgrims to their destiny. But really this is just a rock that some settler said might have been here when the pilgrims arrived. 

Maybe we missed it but this is the only mention we saw of the Indians of whom the Pilgrims took this land from. I am glad that I read the book Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick but it definitely put a damper on my ideas of the Pilgrims, and Plymouth. 

Nautilus Museum, Groton Connecticut

 The Nautilus Museum is free and fabulous! There is a big museum to walk through and learn all about the submarines. Then you can walk through a real submarine and see what life was like for the sailors who worked on it. We happened to tour through when a man was visiting that had gone on three tours on this submarine. It was humbling to hear his stories, and learn what his life was like on the submarine.

 Former Sailor on this submarine

URI BEACH

 URI Beach! Every Monday the girls of Narragansett Ward take our kids to this beach. It is very relaxing because there are no waves, and the kids can just play all day.

 The Walanus Family were our first friends we really got to know it Rhode Island. It was sad to see them leave in July. But we loved getting to know them while they were here.

 Seriously I have no idea why the pictures are flipped, and I can't fix it. :)

A favorite of our beach day is that Teddie Pesch gets out the hot dogs and Theo leads all the kids in a hunt for crabs. They usually come back with at least a few crabs. 

Boston Massachusetts

Home of Paul Revere

 Our first trip to Boston was so much fun. We rode the train in from Rhode Island spent the day following the  freedom trail. The red brick takes you on a tour through the entire city. We bought a book to go along with the trail and were so excited to see so many incredible things. The kids are used to the history/kid stuff so they were good sports between playing at the park, and looking at historical landmarks.

 Can't miss the swan boats

Make Way For Ducklings. We bought this book in the train station so the kids really got a kick out of the ducks. And the book was a wonderful overview of the city. Very impressive. 

 Oh the years I remember watching Cheers with my Dad. It really does make you happy walking down those steps knowing you are going to Cheers.

 Acorn Street. One of the earliest streets of well to do citizens.

 Cemetary that had many famous people. Raiyah loved the Mother Goose gravestone.

 Usually the kids' favorite part of any trip is the train ride.

Site of the Boston Massacre