Let it be known that Dilly Dawg has the power to cause all, who allow her to snuggle with them, to become immediately smitten in love with her. Dilly was all over my mom like a leach, and I think they both loved every minute of it. 
The view from a window at the top of the memorial at Bunker Hill. We couldn't figure out how that Penny got on the ledge.
Cobblestone in front of Paul Revere's house
The Maude came for a visit this week, and we decided to give her the ten cent (something like that) tour of New England in 2 days. She had never been to Boston, so we went on the Freedom Trail, but this time we started at the opposite end of the trail at Bunker Hill. Last time we were too tired to finish it off, so it was fun to just drive right up to it and park our car. We did decide to climb up the memorial tower however...big mistake...our legs were burning and we were huffing and puffing before lunchtime. 294 steps up to the top and I was ready for a jelly doughnut and some oxygen...in that order.
We stayed in Plymouth on Friday night, and saw the Mayflower II and Plymouth Rock on Saturday. After that we took a drive into Cape Cod and ate at a random pizza place off the side of the road. The beaches were overcrowded and expensive in the Cape, so we decided to take a drive to Newport, Rhode Island and hang out at the beach there. It really is a beautiful place, but for some reason every time we go to Newport Beach there is an eerie fog that rolls across the water even though it was sunny. 
On Sunday we went exploring in Connecticut and found one of the last original covered bridges, built in 1791. We definately need to spend a Saturday afternoon around there again because there is a 10 mile biking trail that goes along the Salmon River, and lots of places to have a fun little picnic.
Joni is doing great, her belly is getting bigger and bigger. I actually felt the baby kick the other day, she moves a lot (the baby not Joni)...not sure what that will mean but it's so wierd. We now have two of our close friends here that are pregnant, kind of sad we won't be around to share that experience with everyone but we are excited anyways. We found out we will be moving around the beginning of September. We will either go to Louisville or North Carolina. We'll keep you posted on that one. Happy early Independence day!
I tried sending the picture (below) into Martha Stewart Living Magazine...I'm a little embarrassed by it but the shot of the beach was nice.
Friday night was the Father's & Son's campout, and some friends of mine decided to go together...son...less. Well, a couple of us had sons, and I have a daughter on the way, so we justified our presence. It was really fun to hang out with just the guys, and to see the look on my friend's little boy's face when he tried s'mores for the first time. I love camping, we have to go again soon.
We took a row boat out on the lake...
The Freedom Trail in Boston is about a 3 mile walk through the city 
to all the famous historical sights. All you have to do is follow the red brick trail through the city. It was pretty fun, but you have to pay attention because the trail likes to hide from you sometimes. Boston is small enough to see most of the sights by foot, I wished I would have remembered lessons from my history class but there were plenty of people who knew what the different sights were. Just remember that its 3 miles one-way, so you have to be prepared to walk back. By the time we made it to Bunker Hill (almost made it), we all had to go to the bathroom so bad that we split a taxi ride to the train station to relieve our bladders and ride on the train across town.
This picture made us look like idiots, but I think Mike and I did a pretty good job as navigators. Check out crowded Quincy market...
By the time you've walked the whole city, you start to lose your sanity. This bridge we crossed was kind of scary because it was just metal grates on top of steel support beams, so you could see 100 feet below to the river. If you looked too hard it made you dizzy, ok, so maybe I was the only one who looked scared...mental.
We were going to try to buy some scalped tickets to Fenway but they were playing the Mets, so tickets were being sold for like $300...no thanks. That didn't keep us from eating some dogs and enjoying the atmosphere.
We had a very "chill" weekend compared to the last few weekends we've had. I seriously must have laid on the couch wrapped in a blanket playing with Dilly the whole morning. It was a very eventful day though, as one of our good friends was baptized, and he had a big BBQ afterwards to celebrate. Nothing makes you look more nerdy than wearing a white jumpsuit, our friend Jake on the left baptized another friend, Keith on the right.
We have met some awesome people while out here, really good, social, happy people. Although we'll only be here for a short time, I think some of the friendships we've made while here will last a lifetime. We all seem to be at similar stages in our lives, and its great to share so many things in common while all our families live so far away. Keith has been such an awesome example to me, and it was amazing to see him be baptized and later bear a powerful testimony as to why he decided to take that step. I always wonder how I might have reacted to the church if I wasn't born and raised in it. I like to think I've lived that experience through Keith. When Keith stood up in front of everyone, he thanked everyone for giving him the time and space he needed to make his decision, especially his family. Then he testified that he knew the church was true, and that he was greatful that a guy like him was given a second chance on life. I haven't heard a stronger testimony among many people who've been members of the church their whole lives, it was a truly awesome experience.
Apparently West Hartford isn't quit as entertaining as NYC so we were thinking of stuff to do one night. Both Christina and I braved a shot of pickle juice (a bet) in order to get free ice cream at Ben and Jerry's. I found out pickle juice is acually kinda good.
