History Lesson

On our drive back from Michigan to Boston, a few weeks ago, a couple of choice church history spots were right on our way. First we stopped in Kirkland, Ohio but my camera battery died so no pics. The next day we stopped in Palmyra, NY. This is Corey and Max at the entrance to the grove.

This is Max and I from the top of the Hill Cumorah. I couldn't stop admiring the lawn that was expertly mowed like a baseball diamond.

After a hot and humid afternoon and some great sight seeing we pulled into the Chill n' Grill for some cool treats. This place is a must for my Palmyra visits.

Corey's ice-cream treat. Next time I would stick with the good old swirl rather than orange.

Max and I shared a burger combo and a large strawberry shake. The burger was good and apparently so was the shake because he finished it off all by himself. His lips where glued to the straw.

Last Days of Summer

Summer is coming to a close (sniff, sniff) and I am trying to spend every last minute making the most of it. That means going to the beach every chance I get. This is Max's first visit to the beach. He was unsure about the sand and was startled when we dipped his toes in the water but loved being outdoors, playing on our beach mat and raiding the cooler. We went to the beach just north of Boston on Friday and then spent the rest of the weekend in the cape with Lane and Britton.

Max helps his new best friend,Uncle Britton, put sunscreen on Lane's back.

Mystery Ringer

Yesterday afternoon every phone call I received was answered with the caller laughing. I thought this was odd until Lane called and said, "No way, you have Simpsons as your ring back tone." What? I don't have a ring back tone. I don't even know how to get one. I don't know but apparently my 14 month old son does. At some point he got his busy fingers on my cell phone and downloaded four ring back tones, one of which he actually purchased and assigned. I have already paid for my Simpsons ring back tone for 90 days! Gracias to Max Walker. If you also want to be in the know regarding the hot picks for ring back options these are Max's top four:

1.The Simpsons Movie Theme- Hans Zimmer

2. Shawty featuring T-Pain- Plies

3. Crank That Soulja Boy-Soulja Boy Tell Em

4. Can't Leave Em Alone featuring 50 Cent- Ciara

... the repeat appearance of "em" as in "them" is shocking. I guess I am lucky that I ended up with the Simpsons considering my options. For the next 89 days just know that whenever you call me you will enjoy the melodious sounds of the Simpsons ringing right back at you.

Wagamama

Many moons ago while on study abroad in London, I escaped the terrible food of our cook, June, by running to the open doors of Wagamama. As a long time lover of noodles (see here) Wagamama was an instant favorite. Lucky for me this English gig has hopped the pond and opened its doors to noodle craving Americans right here in Cambridge! They opened while we were away this summer but within two hours of our return to Boston I marched the family over the bridge to enjoy Wagamama's noodly delights. It was exactly as I remember it 10 years ago in London. The wait staff wears the same t-shirts and I still love their gyoza. Max had chicken with noodles, ginger sauce, and apples and slurped his noodles happily. Fun for me and my little wagamama!

What is a wagamama?.....naughty child.

Bachelorette Bonanza

Nothing quite says 'happy upcoming wedding' like fifteen ladies at a bar sipping diet coke and singing along to It's Raining Men. Did I mention that at least a third of the party was incredibly pregnant? Sarah Francis and Olivia found the prefect spot- dueling piano night at the Tavernacle. The dueling dudes spotted Lane as the bride to be (can't image how) and invited her to dance on the pianos. See photos below. As if she wasn't wearing enough paraphernalia they added a pink feather boa to the ensemble. She was a sport and got up there and shimmied her best. It was a fun prelude to a fun wedding. Thanks to the ladies, the dueling dudes, the Donny Osmond look-a-like , the geeks who tired to pick up on us after the party, and of course Lane for an interesting evening.

Cross Country Visitors

This isn't our first set of cross country visitors this summer but they win the "Truly Cross Country" award for going coast to coast. Thanks for veering north to our little town in Michigan. We were happy and sad to see you. Happy because you were there; sad because it means you are really not going to be our neighbors. We just got to Boston and are still mourning our loss. We hope Stanford knows how lucky they are to have you!

What the French?! Toast.

I love this commerical. It makes me laugh time and time again.