When I arrived at work, Bethany brought an amazing chocolate and peanut butter (my favorite combo) cake covered with crumbled Reese's. 
One of my favorite administrators that I get to work with also sent me these incredible chocolate-covered strawberries from Shari's Berries.
My cute neighbor Katie also brought me this adorable cupcake. 
16th - Japanese Lantern Festival (see previous post)
That evening Molly joined us to go see the sand sculpture contest at Revere beach. This is also something I did my first month in Boston two years ago..jpg)
Then there is a table of markers where you can decorate your lantern. I drew a temple and the sun, while Amy Beth, our resident artist, drew an amazing tree. She and Victoria wrote notes to family members who have passed on, which is the purpose of the Bon Festival.
Next, you put your paper lantern over the wooden base with a candle in the middle. 
At this point, we just needed to wait for it to get dark enough to light our lantern. There is a little bit of musical and dancing entertainment that we enjoyed.
We also set out to find some of the modern art sculptures around the cemetery. I remembered the creepy nightgowns from the year before, but I didn't know there was a giant nightgown too. Glad it wasn't too dark yet! ;) 
When we returned to the pond, someone came and lit our candle, then we placed it in the water.
I'm such a fan of sunsets. I love the different color combinations that magically appear.
I love seeing all the lanterns just floating. Somehow very peaceful, even with the crowds of people there.
...the Old North Bridge in Concord...
...and the Battle Road museum. Isn't this kid cute?
I also had to show them the beautiful Boston temple.
Preston takes after Uncle Paco in his love of Batman.
All summer long, an area of the gardens were blocked off because the swans were nesting. Every time I came into the city, I would go check to see if the eggs had hatched yet. Well, our boat driver told us that the eggs are never going to hatch because both of the swans are females! 
Poor swans that think they are going to hatch. They are even typically protective. One of the swans chased this duck halfway across the large pond. It was funny because the duck was swimming as fast as he could and the bigger swan just glided gracefully along.
We still had part of the Freedom Trail to finish. Luckily, the part in the North End. We went to an Italian (of course) restaurant for lunch. Preston thought it was so fancy that he said to make sure to take his brother Ethan there when he comes. No trip to the North End is complete without pastries, so we stopped at Modern Pastry. Jess also made us pick things up from the Flour Bakery that she had seen on the Throwdown with Bobby Flay. 
It was so much fun to be able to share this city I love with my family. Ironically, when I asked Preston was his favorite part of the trip was, he said the beach and Six Flags. So much for learning about history!
On Thursday, we started things off with the Freedom Trail. This is Preston on his first subway ride ever. I think he could already tell that he was going to feel like the Paparazzi was following him on this trip. ;)
Preston following the red line that marks the trail. 
Republicans standing in opposition to Democrats.
Tall Ships from allover the world just happened to be in Boston that week and I just happened upon some Russian sailors in Quincy Market. I saw sailors once in Sochi on my mission and was sad I never got a picture of them. Don't they have the best uniforms? 
On Friday, we headed over to Charlestown, with our first stop at Bunker Hill.
...but the view was amazing. We saw some of the Tall Ships in the harbor, so decided to head over there next.
The lines to go on the ships were wicked long, so we went through the U.S.S. Constitution museum. Preston and I hanging out.
Preston hauling a cow onboard. It actually mooed loudly when it moved. :)
We headed out to Salem next. The Salem Witch Museum really scared my dad.
Next we went on a tour of the House of Seven Gables. My favorite is the secret passage inside.
It just took a little urging for Preston to pose for this picture.
My friend Ben brought his skim board and we all had fun trying it out. I think I only managed to stay on for two seconds.After the beach, we drove to Plymouth, which my dad was excited about. Here we are at the Mayflower II. 
I love Preston's grin in this picture. 
Isn't my daddy a good poser? ;) 
We decided to try again to go on the Tall Ships, going to a different pier this time. I love this one with the big sun on the sail.
We unfortunately got there just as they closed and didn't get to actually go on a ship. I did get to speak to more Russian sailors, though.
AND there was a Dunkin' Donuts nearby for a treat.
By the way... Preston lost a tooth while in Boston. The Tooth Fairy found him here, too. I know this is blurry, but can you see how the tooth is hanging on by a thread?
