Boston Visit September 2011

Several months ago we got a great deal on tickets to Boston.  We were so excited and Jackson was beside himself to see his sweet cousins.  Sadly it had been almost 10 months since we’d seen the Francis family.

The big day finally came and on the 22nd we flew to Boston. 

And as a disclaimer the pictures are totally out of order. . .just go with it. . .

When we arrived we were all so excited to see our precious cousins. Lennon was his usual happy self!

And the kids were thrilled to have a tea party.

The next day Jenna and I piled our 4 plus Chloe (Mia’s BFF) in the minivan (yes, I am jealous!)  and headed to New Hampshire.

We were off to Chloe’s families vacation home for the weekend.  It was beautiful!  The 3 story house sleeps 14 and was very comfortable for our 6!

Mia and Chloe wearing their togas before reading to the little boys.

Mia and Chloe were so sweet to the little guys.

Here the kids are having breakfast before heading to Jefferson NH to Santa’s Village (an awesome kid amusement park).

I’m pretty sure Shelby (who drove up Saturday evening) was the logical one who commented how not safe it was for the kids to all be launching themselves head first down the stairs.  Bear loved it though. . .

Headed to Santa’s Village, the very first amusement park that the Adams boys have ever been to.

Jack and Lennon were so excited to be able to ride together with no adults!

I loved that Jack and Lennon were such buddies this visit!

Below the bigs are all dressed up in community helper costumes (at Sissy’s house).

Jack and Lennon buddied up quickly to watch a show while dinner was being prepared.

Poor little Bear wanted nothing else but to hang with the big boys.  Both Jackson and Lennon looked at me and said no when I asked them to make room for Bear.  Finally, Lennon said, FINE! and scooted over to make room for Bear.  Bear was thrilled to be included on the “sicky” couch at the Francis house.

Sissy watches Anderson and Theo a few days a week and Bear just had no idea what to do with fussy Theo.  He kept on trying to hug him though, unfortunately it did nothing to cheer up Theo.

Back to New Hampshire pictures, Mia and Chloe read to the boys each night.

Here is the amazing view that I woke up to.

Finally (after being lost and getting a ticket) we arrived at Santa’s Village!

There were so many fun activities for the kiddos!

Can you tell how happy these kids are to be having so much fun!?

Super fun Aunt Sissy decided we should decorate ginger bread cookies.  Jackson loves super fun Aunt Sissy!

The boys were so proud of their creations!

Next we visited Santa.  Bear was the only unhappy member of the group.

Time for fun rides!

Sweet Bear was happy just to point to his big br0ther.

Bear’s favorite was the carousel.

I love that baby Bear.

My two sweet boys in the little elf house.

Chloe and Mia in the elf house.

These kids were so much fun all day long!

This was one of our most fun days ever and it wasn’t even half way over!

Now onto the super awesome water park.

We spent a few hours at the water park before heading back to the rides.

The kids loved driving the old fashioned cars.

Santa’s Village gave each child a card to get stamped by each elf in the alphabet.  The kids loved spotting the elves and even made up their own song, “Elf, elf, I see an elf on my shelf!” each time they saw one.  The first kid to spot the elf would scream and the others would join in and run to the elf.

At the end of the day we took the kids to make candles.  The kids had so much fun designing the wax for their candle.

Here the kids are playing with the reindeer.

Jack won the ring toss. . .by picking up all of the rings!

Here we are having lunch.

It was fun to see the squirrels playing in the strollers near the picnic area.

The sweet kiddos on a semi roller coaster.

Before decorating the ginger bread cookies.

Bear was so happy just to watch the big kids having fun.

The kids got to ride their favorite rides more than once.

Jack loved the swings.

Bear got to ride the rollar coaster once and LOVED it.  Aunt Sissy said she would ride it with him the second time but there was a shift change and the new guy said Bear wasn’t tall enough.  Poor Bear just stood there and watched the other kids.

Sissy rode with Lennon and Jack instead.  I love this shot of Sis and Jack!

The kids loved making wishes.

Posing on the big bunny on the way out of the park

Sleepy boys.

Sweet Bear just watching the big boys play.

Group shots on the bunny.

My favorite group shot before leaving the park.

The view driving home was perfect!

Sweet little Bear fell asleep as soon as we got into the car.

Not a view we get in Plano. . .

Mia in her “mermaid” top, reading to the boys.

I love this sweet crazy girl so very much!!

Sunday night the kids got to watch 15 minutes of tv before dinner.

Jenna and Shelby (aka best hosts ever)served a delicious filet the night we arrived back into Stoneham.  Jackson was  a huge fan.

Bear loved hearing Uncle Shelby play the guitar.

Our New Hampshire home.

The view was amazing!

On our way back from NH we stopped at Cascade falls.

After climbing up the falls the kids went for a swim in the very chilly water.

Back to Boston (I know these pictures are terribly out of order!)-we went to the beach for a day.

Bear’s first time in the waves, he loved it!

Of course being a very shoe obsessed little guy he did not like that the other kids took off their shoes.  He was wearing water shoes and wanted the other kids to be fully dressed as well.

Mia made a sign in the sand that said, “we are the Fradams family!”

On one of the days Sissy took care of the kids and I drove to Devens MA to visit the headquarters of Learning Express. 

They are located in a beautiful area and the meeting was a lot of fun.

Sissy made homemade ice cream and the kids couldn’t have been happier!

She also made homemade apple sauce. . .

Mia wanted to paint the kids faces and Jackson requested that she make him into “snake man!”

Seriously?!  Why did I not get Lennon’s beautiful hair!

Bear loved swinging on the big boy swings.

I couldn’t leave without a picture of Angel Francis who is already wearing his Halloween collar.

The Francis family live next door to the chief of police for their city.  He was kind enough to take the kids on a super cool tour of the station and jail.

Another officer swore in the children as jr. deputy’s for the day.

Jack was very interested in the hand cuffs.

The kids had to sit at the top of the stairs while Chief Bongiorno showed them the heavy duty guns inside the locked case.

My boys both loved practicing with the training (wooden) guns.

Thanks Chief for such a fun morning!

Crazy fun Sissy had a special brunch for the kids with homemade ice cream (no sugar of course) on top of homemade waffles.  It was a major hit!

And we can’t forget the volcano’s!  Jackson loved all of the fun activities that the Francis kids do.

Right before we left Mia and Jackson turned into pirates.  They were so funny and Jackson refused to let me take the face paint off before we got on the plane. 

The airport scene was so sad.  Mia and Jackson were hysterical crying-so hysterical that people were all looking at us.  It was so sweet and so sad and you guessed it, so LOUD.  These kids have great lungs.  But really they were heartbroken to be separated and I can’t wait until we are just a few hours in the car away from each other.  I love that the kids are so close and got along so well. 

Thank you so much to the incredibly awesome Francis family for such a fun week!  We love you so very much and made such special memories this week.  We can’t wait for you to live in Texas!