Historical Boston

We are so lucky because John and Susan were the best tour guides around Boston (apparently several duck boat tours can teach you a lot of history:) Mark loves history but I was suprisingly enamored with Boston's rich history as well. From seeing Paul Revere's statue to seeing the address that was on JFK's license when he was assasinated in Dallas--I ate it up. 

USS Constitution is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the US Navy. Named by President Washington  after the Constitution, she is the world's oldest floating commissioned naval vessel. Launched in 1797, Constitution was one of 6 ships authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794 and the third constructed. The Constitution and her sisters were larger and more heavily armed and built than standard frigates of the period. The ships's first duties with the newly formed United States Navy were to provide protection for American merchant shipping durines in the First Barbary War.

Lilly standing where they first heard the Declaration of Independence

The balcony where the declaration was read

Little Boston History: Did you know that Abe Lincoln was wearing a Brooks Brother jacket when he was assasinated. Brooks Brother's original store is located in Boston.

Public Gardens

Thursday morning we all went to the Public Gardens which was just a short walk from the brownstone.

Lilly showed us how to use her scooter which all the kids have around Boston, it's amazing how fast those things are.

 I loved all the brownstones and how all the doors were different.

 Make Way for the Ducklings. These ducklings represent the children's picture book by Robert McClosky that was first published in 1941. The story tells of a pair of mallard ducks who decided to raise their family on an island in the lagoon of Boston Public Gardens. Lilly gave Will a copy of the book and we can't wait to read it.

 Since we were there to see the ducks we thought we might as well feed them. Beware these ducks were aggressive.

The George Washington Statue

 The State House

Giving Thanks (Thanksgiving Dinner)

For first timers, Susan & John blew Thanksgiving Dinner out of the water! Turkey with truffle oil butter, grilled asparagus, sweet potato casserole and a beautiful salad. While we ate out well, this was one of the our favorite meals!

Gobbling & Wobbling Through Boston

We definitely ate and drank our way through Boston! At almost all stops oysters were a necessity...who knew their were so many different ways oysters could taste depending on what body of water they were pulled from.

 Susan & I in front of Mooos for dinner

 The guys

Friday night we headed to Mooos where I had the best rolls of my life. Our steak was great too and came complete with bone marrow butter (I think Mark was in heaven.)

 

On Saturday night we had drinks at the Liberty Hotel. This hotel is amazing as it used to be a jail and was remodeled a couple of years ago. Little fact is that in the 1920s the prisoners revolted because they hated that they were served lobster everyday for every meal (lobster use to be the rat of the sea.)

 After our dinner at B&G Oyster Bar on Saturday we headed to the Butcher Shop.

 

I love that our table is a huge butcher block.

Beautiful, Delicious Meats

Beautiful Cocktails with a beautiful view (the state house_

No. 9 for Drinks: The Best Cocktail I've ever had!

Before we arrived we had strict instructions that we could not be late for lunch on Friday. When we showed up 30 minutes early and no one was in line I began to wonder, but within 10 minutes of opening a line was all the way down the street. The restaurant is no larger than some people's living room and as soon as they opened people ran for tables. Luckily we got a prime spot!

Hot Lobster Roll at Neptunes (My Jam!)

 We didn't get anything from Mike's but it sure did look amazing. Luckily, the guys picked up some pistachio macaroons to keep us all happy!

 Because every trip needs a little ice cream

Chasing Your Tail

You know how when dogs get excited they chase their tail? When Will gets excited he runs circles (over and over again!)

What Will We See at the Zoo

Our first trip to the zoo! Columbia, SC Zoo with the Donahoes.

 Only after we left the zoo did we realize these birds were not trying to attack us, but land on our arms. Lesson learned for next time.

 Koalas

 Luckily we saw flamingos so Mark could teach Will how to stand on one leg

 One of Will's favorite parts was feeding the koi

Penguins

 Oh the life of a bear

 The best part of the zoo was how amazingly close you could get to the animals. Just a mere sheet of glass between us.

 My favorite part, feeding the giraffes

 Soph & Justin in front of the Zebras

 Will learning to milk a cow

Will loved his first carousal ride. I think if he had his way we would have done it over and over and over again. (Excuse the creepy smile, I thought we were taking a picture)