Tin and Aluminum

Wow. Our 10th anniversary today. If we weren't officially old already, we definitely are now! We're not doing much of anything to actually celebrate today -- both at work with busy agendas -- although I think we remembered to say "Happy Anniversary, Honey" as we parted ways this morning...

We celebrated two weeks ago at the conclusion of our holiday time up in New England by spending two nights at the absolutely amazing, wonderful, beautiful, restful, opulent (in a very old-school way) Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, NH. This was the first time Josiah has spent any nights away from both of us simultaneously, so honestly, I suppose we could have stayed at a truck stop and been content; it was so refreshing not to arrange everything around naps and toddler interests! That said, we delighted in our gorgeous surroundings and took full advantage of time to read books, play Scrabble, eat out, and wander the grounds and beautiful, antique-filled rooms. (The one tiny downside was that the temps were in the 50s and 60s with a good bit of rain, so I didn't get to bob my heavy belly for hours in their lovely outdoor pool as hoped. That cold in JULY??)

We completely splurged on their rather exclusive afternoon tea when we first arrived. I was giddy with the beauty of our storied surroundings (indoors and out), the amazing delicacies we had to eat, and the knowledge that two child-free days stretched ahead! 

Our serene room looking out toward Mt. Washington.

We were incredibly surprised to find this waiting in our room the first afternoon -- a personal note from the hotel manager along with anniversary treats. We don't drink, so the wine has come home with us. (I'm thinking now, actually, that we should start a tradition. We STILL (yes) have the bottle of wine given to us at the B&B where we stayed during our honeymoon ten years ago up in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Does the age make it gross, or vintage? I have no idea. Anyway, perhaps I should find a very special anniversary recipe to cook up with the old bottle this weekend -- and save the new bottle to celebrate on our 20th?! If anyone has suggestions on the wisdom or insanity of this little plan, I'd welcome your comments...)

We dodged the raindrops (at times with the help of an umbrella) to take a bit of a walk along one of their extensive bridle trails. Just lovely, notwithstanding the chill and damp.

Thanks a dozen times over to my parents who kept Josiah while we were away. I don't think he even noticed we were gone, a testament to their wonderful care. 

And thanks even more to my wonderful husband who has loved me these past ten years (a full-time job in itself)...  I love you, Jesse! Where have these years flown?

Vacation in New England

I haven't posted much lately. Chalk it up to turning the corner this month from comfortably pregnant to exhausted and enormous! I'll try to get up a few pictorial updates in the next few days.

July 4 - 15 we enjoyed some much-needed family vacation time in New England. We began in Onset and Quincy, MA.

"Back Beach" in Onset on July 4th.

Enjoying ice cream on the "Front Beach" in Onset.

Waiting for our lobster alarm to tell us our fish and chips were ready on Wolly Beach in Quincy, July 5th.

We then stayed up Alton Bay, NH, where my parents live. We had a wonderful time with them -- they graciously allowed us to use them as home base for several events and excursions through the week. 

Playing at Ellacoya Beach near Alton, NH.

(yes, that's my still-in-the-2nd-trimester belly)

Enjoying cars and trains with Uncle Tim.

Riding the swan boats in Boston.

Riding the T in Boston. Josiah loved being on a real train!!

The cousins: Meg, Micah, Josiah, and Nick

Taking Dad's ATV out for a quick spin! (Okay, I actually tucked my rotund self behind Jesse, who drove us up, but we thought the picture was funny.)

Happy Independence Day

Here's what's making me happy today:

Steam engine documentaries.

Jesse and I laugh every time we think about it. Josiah is so into trains that he sat, enraptured, yesterday watching "The Golden Age of Steam Trains" for absolutely ages. I certainly got an education listening in whilst preparing dinner: How steam power actually works, the role of rail transit during the Civil War, the greed of railway moguls of a hundred years ago...you know...typical 2-year-old video fare. 

The picture here is from lunch time today, when Josiah watched a portion of the documentary again. Tomorrow we're thinking about introducing a film on the Middle East conflict. Either that or Elmo. We'll see. :)

Week in review

The story of my life: I have no idea where the days go. Can it be Friday already? Friday??! The good news is sometimes we take pictures on the way, and these serve as reminders!

Josiah showing off his city of blocks for Daddy. He spun out a big story about how his engines live in all of the various spaces, which is what he's pointing out here.

On Monday our friends Mary-Elizabeth and Paul, with daughter Laithi, spent the night. It was so good to see them – and to meet the little girlie for the first time! Jesse and I crashed many times at their home when Paul and M-E lived just outside of New York City. Now they live far away on the other side of the planet (country name undisclosed!) so we don't exactly get to see them much anymore, sadly. Josiah enjoyed sharing his things with Laithi, and he was the proud photographer of M-E and Laithi in the second breakfast picture below!

Yesterday Josiah came to my lab with me to be a guinea pig for one of my students on an upcoming project. He did a great job and had lots of fun. :)