Two Fabulous Weeks

I love my Mom! I do, she is the best. We have been through a lot and have come out as good friends. So as time got closer for Mom to visit, I became more anxious. Then the day arrived and I was so happy. As usual I cried at Boston's Logan Airport when I saw her come down the stairs. It was wonderful to see her. After we got her home, and rested up, the next day, we went to Boston's Museum of Fine Arts. We had a great time and Mom got to ride on the T for the first time with her own Charlie card!

Friday was the day that Kelly and Mike had given me off, so we ran up to Ogonquit Maine and then down to Salem, Mass., up to Gloucester and finished up the day with a little shopping in Rockport, Massachusetts. It was Mom's first time in the Atlantic Ocean and she loved every second of it. I enjoyed just spending time with her as we collected seashells along the beach.

Saturday was spent shopping and doing parts of the Freedom Trail. Little Italy and China town, as well as Charlestown on Sunday. We had such a great time that when Monday came, I was heartsick to say goodbye to her. After dropping her off at the airport, the twins were crying in the back and I was crying in the front.

However, on the 1st of July, Kelly, the Twins: Maya and Anjuli and Myself all flew out to Seattle. I spent the night in Seatac....Never Again People.....Never again, or at least not at the Sutton Suites. A friend came and we had a picnic indoors as it rained and played Phase 10. After an odd's night sleep, I flew home to Utah on July 2, 2010. It was so nice to see my family.

No matter what, family means everything to me. My sister had just had a baby boy in May and he was sure a handsome little guy. So tiny and adorable. I thought he'd look a little like his Mom, but I saw a lot of Erick in him. Ryker was blessed July 4th and he was such a great little guy for being passed around that much.

July 5th, I had breakfast with my oldest sister. It was nice to have that time to catch up and talk. I miss her very much. Of anyone besides my Mom, she knows me the best. After breakfast and a quick oil change, I met with my German Professor Ericka Daines at Weber University, we had a pleasant interview and then I drove home in time to see the end of the water fight. We all had a great time, I bought fireworks as well as Erick and Heather, we all had a great time.

July 6th I said goodbye to my Grandma and Aunt who had come down from Idaho for the baby blessing, then spent the morning taking a math test, and meeting with the rest of my future professors. It was a busy day. After that was finished, I ran to the store to buy cupcake mix and dinner for Corri and Richard's family as I promised Danni that we would cook and bake. We started our own blog, called flutterbuttcakes.blogspot.com., check it out if you have free time. She is a great cook. I ran home that night, picked up my Mom, saw my Brother's new house and their family, then off to say goodbye to Heather and Erick and Ryker.

July 7th was hard to say goodbye to my family. I miss them so much. I got on a plane and headed back to Seattle where I caught a shuttle called the Belair Shuttle up to Bennington WA. Kelly's dad picked me up and gave me a tour of the towns as we drove to La Connor where they live. Up on Shelter Bay which is on an Indian Reservation. Their house was great with a huge deck that the twins had fun playing on. They were very nice and hospitable.

July 8th was spent in Washington State Park and then I spent the afternoon in La Connor. It is a great little artsy town.

July 9th I took the Anacortes Ferry to Sidney British Columbia where I then took a bus to Butchart Gardens.....Breathtaking....simply Breathtaking! It was a wonderful day. Full of fun and new sights. I really spoiled myself and had afternoon tea in the Dining room, right outside of the Rose Garden. It was a day I will always remember.

July 10th, we: Kelly, Maya, Anjuli and Myself were driven back to the airport by Kelly's parents, where we flew home to Boston on Jet Blue. What a vacation! It truly has been marvelous to see such beautiful things and get to experience the fun of family, Seattle, Canada, and all that I have experienced. Washington is a beautiful state, and the views were amazing. Now back to Boston, Vacation is over and it's time to focus and get back to work!

Me Time!

Sorry for not staying consistent with this blog, but with 6 month old twins, my hands are often full! So now as the weather is starting to improve, I have gotten out a little more and seen new and exciting things. I joined a book club at the Brookline Booksmith, which is fun, we are reading Rudyard Kipling's "Kim". In the past few weeks, I have also explored more and I must say: I LOVE BOSTON! There is so much to do and see and eat!!! Needless to say all diets flew out the window when I learned of Chau Chow City's Dim Sum in Chinatown!!! So delicious. The familiar tastes exploded in my mouth and I was instantly reminded of great times with my old boss and friend Chris Chen and all the food we ate in Ohio and in Salt Lake. Today was the start of a 3 day weekend for me. I choose to explore Hanover street and Salem Street in the North End which is Boston's Little Italy. Besides a million pastry shops and Gelato stops and Restaurants, I was quite comfortable with the atmosphere and enjoyed taking my time wandering through shops, and streets. I even had my own 40 minute conversation with a total stranger which was fun. Lunch was spent at Cantina Italiana.....home made Gnocchi, which just melted in my mouth and was so light and delicious I can still close my eyes and smell those little potato bites from heaven! Of course I couldn't let dessert pass me by, (yes, I gave into my weakness for Tiramisu) which was beyond words and so Fantastico!
All in all, not a bad few weeks, I took a Sushi making class at Sea To You Sushi and surprised even myself with how professional my Maki rolls looked.
Anjuli and Maya continue to grow and amaze me with how quickly they learn new milestones! Ever adorable and full of energy, they keep me on my toes and I enjoy every minute with them.
Wednesday nights continue to be my saving grace as I am a faithful student of Restorative Yoga at the South Boston Yoga Studio. My instructor is amazing and I feel renewed every Wednesday! Yay for Yoga!
All of these experiences just serve to remind me how lucky and blessed I am. I am reminded of gratitude. Gratitude for life, family, friends, good food, and the ability to have these experiences!

Resolution I

When the new year rang in I did what every other person decides to do: New Year's Resolutions. I made a list of 6 or 7 things I wanted to accomplish this year. So far, I have completed one and I am so very happy to have completed it. Resolution I: Move to Boston. With sadness in my heart (leaving family) and a fresh new outlook, I flew to Boston on a red eye and arrived in my new city with excitement and exhaustion (thanks to the man that just had to read through the red eye..who by the way was sitting next to me). I survivied my first week of having a cold, and I have just completed my 2nd week of work as well as my first day alone with Maya and Anjuli. My employers are very kind and very open and I couldn't be happier. A free yoga class this last weekend and a new hair style has convinced me that yes, this is a great place to be and anything is possible. I have survived my first driving experience, my first "T" ride, and even my first yoga class. RESOLUTION I is complete. I have moved! One down, five or six more to go. What a great time to be alive!