City on a Hill Part 1

Another place Kyle and I (Kyle most definitely) wanted toqgh visit when we got to the east coast was Boston! I think I was able to see different nerd sides of Kyle come out far more than I ever had before! It was so neat being where so much history was laid and the ground workings of our country was started. It almost got to the point where I wanted so badly to just be transported back to that time period to see what it really looked like and to see the period clothing and people. Something I love about Boston is what they call the 'Freedom Trail' - a little red outlined trail taking you to different places where history took place or structures are still standing that existed back in the day. Boston overall was so charming and the perfect way to learn more about The Revolutionary War and Cradle of Liberty (plus I had the perfect history expert to join me for the ride!

Kyle and I got a late start Friday afternoon heading out on the eight hour car ride up to Boston. We got in to Kyle's friend Adam's place around 3 in the morning :( We were so tired but got up early the next morning and went to the Boston, MA Temple and did sealings and I'm so glad we did! Such a beautiful temple!

Green was the color of the morning.

After the temple, Kyle and I met up for lunch with one of Kyle's old friends from his semester abroad in Jerusalem at a fun gourmet restaurant in Cambridge right next to Harvard. Naturally, we stayed and explored the United States' oldest institution of higher learning. 

Kyle right outside one of the entrances. 

Rubbing the foot of the statue of three lies: 1. It isn't John Harvard. 2. John Harvard wasn't the founder of Harvard University (although he was the first major benefactor, donating half his estate and library). 3. Harvard wasn't founded in 1638, as stated on the statue. But it was still cool to see the rubbed down shoe that's been touched by every nervous pre-exam/first day of school student. 

Annenberg Dining Hall which supposedly Harry Potter's dining hall is based off of....

I love this history buff. 

Kyle contemplating applying for Harvard law...

...he instead decides to be studious on the steps on the Widener Library. Sadly we couldn't go in to feast upon the rough estimate of 3.5 million books housed inside. 

Harvard Sailing Team!!!...Sort of. 

This was Faneuil Hall also known as "The Cradle of Liberty", where they held some of the early speeches and debates on gaining independence from Great Britain. 

And my favorite...Quincy Market! Just basically because it had lots of different types of food and culture...here, Kyle is seen on the hunt for some Boston clam chowder. 

Success! 

Pretty center area with old signs from the market back in the day. 

The north end of the market. 

Kyle got his Boston Red Sox baseball cap and we headed up North to Little Italy to investigate what is known as 'Mike's Pastry's'. We didn't actually discover this treasure of a place until the next day. 

We grabbed dinner at this odd Mexican/Cajun/Tex-Mex Border Cafe and then headed up North to Salem for a ghost tour! This was an extremely frightening and overdone witch museum that thankfully was closed by the time we got up there. 

Kyle got this classy photo of someone of importance to the Salem community where he said a puritan is "a person who has a sneaking suspicious that somebody, somewhere might be having some sort of fun...or that they are a witch." 

This was inside the main store that was decked out in, what else, Harry Potter. Here Kyle and I contemplate what this sight means looking into the Mirror of Erised. 

Store full of wands! 

Our tour...just a normal ghost tour but really interesting to hear stories on the witch trials in the late 1600's. Our classy guide wore a top hat and walked with a cane, reminding us of Dr. Jekyl, Mr. Hyde.

Old Salem Cemetery, the first place set apart for the burial of dead, known as the burying point. A sad story but interesting part of history and insight to what happens when fear combines with heightened stress of a new area and politics. An overall good first day in Boston and Salem, ending the night with a bit of our favorite: frozen yogurt. 

A Trip to See Teddy's Island

Friday night, Kyle and I decided to go check out Theodore Roosevelt Island, a neglected and overgrown island into a memorial to America's 26th president. They conceived what they called a "real forest" to mimic the natural forest that once covered the island. Miles of trails cover the uplands and swampy bottomlands surround the outer edge. I had always heard about it and decided we should go see what it was all about.

We got there right around dusk and it was a little eery as fog started to climb up over the island. 

An official path led up to this neat statue of Teddy which we were able to see right before it got dark. 

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failures, than to take rank with those poor spirit who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat." - T. Roosevelt 

And live in the gray twilight we did, literally, for the rest of the evening. Once it got dark, we got lost and had the hardest time getting out. We were using my phone's GPS until it went dead and even after that, fought through cobwebs and did our best to avoid tiny frogs hopping over the paths. We spent more time trying to get out than seeing the actual island. Next time, we'll have to go midday with fully charged phones. I'm just happy we got out and finished the day off with PinkBerry frozen yogurt. 

Mom Killpack and Sis Yeip Come for a Visit

I wanted my mom to be able to visit Kyle and I at some point while we were out here in Washington D.C. It turned out that while she was looking at dates, Olivia was right next to her and with sky miles, the two of them were able to get free tickets to come for a weekend! Kyle had work and school most of the time but he was able to see them at night. It was so fun having them here and showing them the sights and fun things we've seen so far. 

We stopped by Ford's theater one morning and watched the little play they put on before heading over to see the home he passed away in.

I loved being able to take them on a tour of the Capitol and getting them out on the balcony for this lovely view.

You can tell it was windy that day from the three straggler hairs floating above my head.

I was even lucky enough to show them my great parking skills. This actually should have never happened and I'm surprised it did. After completing a 20 point turn, I nudged our car into this space. It was a bit crowded on the Hill that day and Good Stuff Eatery was calling. 

I took them over to try Georgetown Cupcakes (although we personally think Sprinkles is better). And I love my mom.

Of course, liv needed her picture next to Olivia Macaron.

We went to the zoo and had to fight off the temptation to buy matching panda ears after seeing Bao Bao, the cutest baby panda ever!

We also went to the U.S. Botanical Gardens and made dried flower pins and got a few bags of herbs to plant later. 

Outside the American History Museum, they had these beautiful lilac bushes so naturally, a picture had to be taken. 

We were able to see most of the museums. This gem was taken in the American History Museum. 

By this point, our feet and legs were aching and we got slap happy. 

They were able to book their flight to come out the weekend of May 2, my Dad's death anniversary. It's always hard to know how that day is going to go, but as we were walking along the mall, we stopped by the WWII Memorial where a bagpipe band was playing beautiful songs and the sun was pushing it's way through the clouds. It was a perfect way to honor and remember him. 

Nothing beats Amazing Grace on the National Mall right before sunset. 

Liv talking to Lincoln. 

I love and look up to this girl not only because she has always been taller than me, but because of her example. 

We went to Eastern Market one morning and got the BEST breakfast ever with the legendary bluebuck pancakes (blueberries in buckwheat). 

Looking around Eastern's Market at the flowers and produce. 

We took a break during one museum visit to watch the little brother Max play in his piano recital. Neat to be using awesome technology in the Air and Space Museum. 

We had a great weekend! I love these two so much and am so happy they were able to visit!

Valentine's Day Visit to Strasburg, VA

I am one of those girls that has more love for an anniversary or birthday rather than Valentine's Day. I still love to celebrate it, but think it doesn't need to be a big song and dance...or as big as the song and dance of an anniversary. Imagine my surprise when I came home to my sweet husband with dinner made and a trip planned to historic Strasburg for the night! You know those times where someone does something that really speaks to you? Kyle nailed it right on the head for this one. Even though I knew he would probably be planning something, I didn't expect this and it was the perfect meal and getaway for our first Valentine's Day as marrieds.

The table neatly set. 

A shrine of us on the table. 

The YUMMIEST kabobs ever! Our sweet landlady Martina has an amazing grill and this was one of the first times we had used it. It left us wondering why we don't use it more often.

The Grill Master. 

Such a yummy and romantic dinner. 

Hotel Strasburg is located in, where else, but Strasburg, VA. It was settled by German-speaking Pennsylvanians and it's name is taken from Strasbourg, capital of Alsace, France. We didn't spend a lot of time exploring the town because it was so cold but we did stop in by a neat antique shop and grabbed some warm cinnamon rolls at a bakery the next morning. 

It was the most adorable bed and breakfast with almost everything inside being antique and from the Victorian period. We obviously weren't thinking when we decided to look up online whether the hotel had a history of hauntings. Well...COME TO FIND OUT... the hotel is the oldest settlement still standing in the Shenandoah Valley and it used to be a hospital! Despite it's charm, the hotel definitely seemed it could house some friendly (or not so friendly) ghosts. I ended up asking Kyle to leave the t.v. on until I fell asleep and even then, every creek and move of the house settling had me jumping up, ready to leave. The next morning turned out to be much better once the sun came up. 

It meant a lot to me that Kyle took the time to find a little getaway for Valentine's Day that wouldn't break the bank. I love the moments where he does something new that surprises me or that helps me know he is thinking of me and what will make me happy. It was fun to visit little Strasburg and a great first love holiday together.