Back in Boston!!!

The walk to the Green Line was a breeze.  So happy to have found this place!  Scott (as the man) took charge of getting the Charlie Cards and we were off.  It has been a few years since I rode the "T".  I love that there is a sign telling you when the next train is coming...and which one it is!  Yeah...it's been that long!  We decided to get off at Copley and walk to Faneiul Hall.  This meant a stroll down Newbury Street, thru the public gardens, past the skating rink and deep into the cobblestone streets and walkways around Faneiul Hall.  Each year that we were in MA Scott and I tried to get the kids here around Christmas to see the giant Christmas tree from Canada and to select an ornament from the Christmas shop.  It was nice to be back into our old family traditions.  The day we went could not have been more beautiful.  Crisp cold air (but not uncomfortably cold), bright sunshine and no wind.  Our only negative experience was on the subway ride home.  A man decided it was a great opportunity to open his canned anchovies and eat them the entire 10 stops to Newton.  What a seriously disgusting odor.  It's been a while since we were at the mercy of the crowded public.  We survived, laughed, gagged and would do it all again!
     The following weekend we were lucky enough to have Gammy, Gampy, Auntie, Ellie and Sandra over for brunch...AND it snowed!!!!!!!  My poor dear children have a crappy mom who obviously forgot that it snows here, so they went out to play in their sneakers and two layers of pants.  Thankfully I got my stuff together and ordered what they need.  We will be ready for the next snow!

How cool.  Cruising into Boston on the "T".

In the public garden.

Annual ornament selection.

This is something that is NEVER rushed.

A small detour through the Boston Public Library.  (I couldn't just walk by.)

Mmmmm....  Faneuil Hall with all its sights and delicious smells.

Scott took a moment to play Joseph.  Well done sir!

The kids made a snow kitty/angel.

Home office.

Thank you Gammy for all the greens!

Look at this happy new Linkedin photo!  I don't even care what his resume says!  I want to hire him on beard alone!

Christmas Tree Decorating and Parades! Tis' The Season!!!!

There have been so many times in the last few weeks that we have had to pinch ourselves.  Are we really home?  It feels so right.   Yes, we miss our dear friends in Texas...and the open road, BUT, nothing compares to home.  And it is true, distance (and time) make the heart grow fonder.  We needed the time away to gain this appreciation for all that was routine a few years ago. 
     Last weekend was the annual Merrimac parade.  Fiona, Ethan, Ellie and my mom rode along with my dad in his antique car.  Scott, Meagan and I tucked into the crowd along the route and snagged some joyous pictures of the kids throwing candy at the onlookers.  An event they look forward to every year.  When all was past on the parade route it was back to my parents for some delicious baked macaroni and tree decorating.  Gammy let the grandchildren dress her tree.  Ahhhh, all is right with the world.
     We also purchased our tree this week.  The quintessential tree selection day... grey and cold.  What an aroma!  I missed that smell.  The tree we had last year was a pine...no yummy fir scent.  We are making up for that this year.  I can smell our tree from upstairs!
     Kids and I are settling into a school routine.  We got our official "homeschool approval letter" from the town of Newton.  To the kids it means that I will allow them to play outside during breaks.   ( I did not permit this until the letter, just in case someone saw them and got suspicious...)  Tomorrow we will venture into Boston on the subway.  I'm curious to see how simple it will be, and how much time it will take.

Ethan got a new glove.  Time to beat it into submission.

What a lucky tree!

Not only did we get our tree here...but this market has best produce I have ever seen!

Time to put the big kids to work.

I did the lights.  Fiona and Ethan did the rest.

I think this day is one of Gampy's top ten of the year.

Giant elves decorating Gammy and Gampy's tree.

Settling In...to the cold.

O.K.  It took less than a week to get from Texas to Massachusetts, and to sign a lease on an apartment!  We are truly loving our new town of Newton.  There is a lot to explore by foot.  I am enjoying the fact that there is a downtown within walking distance to the house...as well as a stop on the "Green line".  Scott is loving the running trails through the woods behind us that lead into Boston College campus.  The kids are looking forward to their independence now that I agree they are old enough to walk to town on their own.  Our home is at last feeling like it was ours all along.  Pictures are hung and the cabinets are full.  We have even had company over already!  Thank you Cathy and Cate!!!! I feel I have to pinch myself when I see friends and family and don't have a time limit to visits.  Really takes the pressure off.  What a treat it was to go to Ellie's house for her birthday celebration!  So much better in person than on "facetime".  How exciting it was to drive to Kittery, ME to see Hallie and meet the gorgeous Viola at last!
I am also glad to be getting the kids back to their regular studies.  It is interesting how things we read in our books bring us back to our travels.  We definitely have a broader perspective.  Today we are going to get our new library cards, and poke around for a huge bundle of books.  I LOVE EXPLORING LIBRARY'S!  Eventually we will come up with a new routine, and things will feel even more settled.  Until then the four of us will keep figuring things out together...as we learned to do so well in the trailer.   And yes, we miss "Rolling Thunder".........

We savored our nights at Gammy and Gampy's.  Even when Gampy beat on us with Gammy's yoga noodles...

I can't believe it.  Ellie's eleven.

My three kids just love the playground by our house.

Fiona and Ethan called dibs on the third floor.

Hallie and Viola.  Beautiful, right?

Nothing says fun like being dragged around in a basket.

Fiona was taken with the guinea pig.  Of course. 

I could have taken that kid home with me, no problem.

"Morning Sissy.  We have to move today!"

I cringe when I see UHUALS now...

IKEA construction site.

Cozy living room on Thanksgiving Day.

Scott the magician managed to cook a full Thanksgiving meal while unpacking!

There are some lovely woods down the street.

Classroom all set up, and in use.

Upstairs bathroom.

"Picture" wall ended up in stairwell.

Master bedroom.

Origami master fine-tuning her craft.