Revere Beach

Justin and I enjoyed a beautiful afternoon at Revere Beach today! It had been so long since either of us spent time just laying in the sun enjoying a beach setting! The water was a little chilly, but very refreshing! I have now dipped my toes in the Atlantic (Justin had already done so). At the beach there were these crazy sand sculptures that were super neat to see! There had clearly been a contest and boy were they all great! It was super fun and we could not have created better weather if we tried! Oh yeah, Justin was in heaven because all the planes were flying right over us to land on 22 Left at Logan (22 refers to the runway direction). Fun times!!

Jenny's Bachelorette

Jenny and about 10 of her close family and friends celebrated this last weekend with her Bachelorette party! The day began in Minneapolis, MN with some decorating, pedicures, and good old fashioned games! We rented a hotel room, took a limo to dinner, and enjoyed the downtown bar scene for the remainder of the evening! I took many pictures (I felt like you Melissa) and enjoyed doing so! I was also able to attend Jenny's last dress fitting (her dress is soooo beautiful), but I won't be putting any of those pics up...wouldn't want to ruin the surprise!

Enjoying Married Life!

Justin and I have been enjoying these last few days together before his work schedule gets very busy! We have been cooking fun dinners, exploring, and perfecting our home! We are settling down here in Boston and learning how to get around...and do what to most people are simple things, but here can be complex....can you say grocery shopping...a little tricky when we don't want to give up our parking place so we take the "T" to save money and go to a place similar to Safeway (Shaw's)! Whole Foods is very close to us and we love it, but it gets very expensive! Anyways, we love cooking together and walking everywhere! See Justin's picture...very proud of our pizza! His side is the "stacked" side.

Freedom Trail

The freedom trail is a 2.5 mile path that leads to 16 historical landmarks. Justin and I pass many of them when just running errands, but wanted to learn more about each one so we got a map and played tourists for the day! The trail begins in Boston Common (America's oldest public park) and ends in Charlestown at the Bunker Hill Monument. Below are some of the highlights:

This is the state house located very near to our apartment. We can actually see the done from our living room. The state house was completed in 1798 at a cost of $133,333. John Hancock owned the land. The dome was not originally done in gold, but in 1802 Paul Revere and Sons covered it with copper to prevent leaks, and then in 1874 the dome was gilded with 23-carat gold leaf.
Granary Burying Ground was our 4th stop on the Freedom Trail, a place where many prominent Bostonians lay. Buried here are also, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, eight governors, all five Boston Massacre victims, Paul Revere, and many others. This sight is very old and you can really see that when you are walking through it. Many of the gravestones are very hard to read.
A statue in honor of Paul Revere's midnight ride. This statue sits between the Paul Revere House, where he left for his ride, and the Old North Church, where two lanterns signaled the beginning of his ride. This took place on April 18, 1775.
This is the Old North Church and is Boston's oldest church building. It was from the steeple that Sexton Robert Newman hung the two lanterns on April 18th to signal the beginning of Paul Revere's momentous ride.
The USS Constitution , Old Ironsides, is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. Her nickname was earned during the War of 1812 when British cannonballs were bouncing off her impenetrable hull and the seamen cried out, "Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron!" She is currently manned by an active duty U.S. Navy Crew and docked in the Charlestown Navy Yard.

Our self-guided tour of the Freedom Trail was very interesting and a great way to learn some of the amazing history here in Boston. For me, someone who is not the greatest at remembering historical facts, it was helpful to see it and actually read about facts while at each site. Justin and I enjoyed each other's company and a piece of the history here in Boston!

It's Picture Time!

Our wedding photos are here and online for viewing/purchasing! Go to the link below and type "Justin" in the name box, find and click on our names, and when prompted, type "Justin" as the password. Enjoy! http://www.baymoments.com/

Our Nephew, Kasten Grimm

Kasten, born on April 2, 2006, is now 15 months old and beginning to walk! Justin and I were able to spend some time with him during the days of our wedding and he was such a joy to be around. He is so smiley, playful, and curious! He loves going fishing with Mom and Dad and spending time at the beach and park near his home in Sandpoint, ID. Being an Aunt and Uncle is so much fun...I'll have to remember as he gets older to always have gum (haha, I feel like Aunts always have gum-I know mine does)!

Tim & Faith at the Garden

I have always wanted to see Tim McGraw and Faith Hill together, and even though they are a little out dated these days and lacking great songs, it was so great to see them! Justin and I went to our first concert here in Boston and enjoyed every minute of sitting way up high in the nose bleeds! We sang our little hearts out as Tim and Faith put on an awesome show! They were so cute together! The walk from our house to the Garden (where the Bruins and Celtics play): 7 minutes-how cool!!!!

Justin turns 25!

Happy Birthday to my Husband! Although it was a different birthday than any other year due to us moving all day, Justin enjoyed his balloons, drill, and birthday dinner out here in Boston amongst boxes and one messy apartment (at the time). We celebrated a birthday dinner at Sonsie, a restaurant on the famous Newbury Street in Boston. All four of us had amazing entrees and we were quite impressed with the whole experience! Justin even got to blow out two candles...a 2 and a 5! We sang "Happy Birthday" and ended with the family tradition of "Kings and Queens!"

Our Move to Boston

On Thursday morning, June 21st, Murray and I set our for Boston...we arrived 5 days later in Boston, stopping to have some fun at Niagara Falls on Sunday! My mom flew out so that the four of us could work our wonders and move us in to our Beacon Hill residence, as well as have some fun (Quack, Quack-on a duck tour)!! My mom is a kitchen wizard, Justin and Murray are wonderful assemblers, and me, well, I am a great roamer! We all had our jobs-haha! Although it was 110 degrees as we moved and a lot of work, we truly enjoyed each other's company and shared a very sad goodbye when my parents left for home on Friday morning. We are all settled in now and are enjoying our cozy (aka a kind word for small) apartment! And for all those who have been in doubt, I have been cooking quite often and with quite a bit of difficulty-I even made risotto one night!

A stop at Niagara Falls

Murray and I spent a night in Niagara Falls on the tail end of our road trip across the country! It was such a spectacular view and a wonderful experience...not to mention good company! We were a little dissapointed in the town itself; it is really run down and very "depressing" in many areas. We ate at the Hard Rock Cafe, which was pretty much our only option! We took a Maid of the Mist tour out into the waters and that by far was the best part of the day! I would highly reccommend doing it if you go! Niagara Falls was a great way to end our 5-day road trip!

Our Wedding: June 16, 2007

On June 16th, 2007 Justin and I celebrated the joining of our families at Madrona Manor in Healdsburg, CA! Pastor Sam conducted our wedding ceremony, and it was followed by dinner, dancing, and mingling! The evening went by so quickly for Justin and I, but we truly had an amazing time celebrating with our families and friends. We are so thankful to our parents for giving us the wisdom and guidance to make good choices and live happy and healthy lives! Our wedding was an unforgettable day and we will forever cherish the memories!