We summer in Maine!

I bet you didn't even know we were gone last week! Well, we were! Dynamo and I spent last week on an adventure! We decided about 2 weeks prior that we were going to take a vacation. We weren't sure where to go. We knew of many places we wanted to go. We finally narrowed it down to Boston and Maine. The plan was to fly into Boston to celebrate the 4th of July with the other 500,000 people!! We stayed the night and then picked up the rental car and drove to Bar Harbor, Maine, to spend 3 nights. After Maine, we would take our time driving back to Boston for our last night before flying back to Richmond! It was a fun, whirlwind trip. So, over the next few posts I'll share our adventure! All of the photos are on Flickr, so feel free to browse! And, I've provided links to the various things I mention with the hopes that you'll read further about each place or event!

On July 4th we rose at 4 a.m. to head to the airport to catch our flight. Mom and Dad were kind enough to drive us. So, Mom, Dad, Dynamo, the Steed, and I piled into the car for the airport!

When we got to Boston, Dynamo's first order of business was to get a Boston Creme donut.



Then, we caught a cab and headed to check-in at the hotel. Very nice hotel in an excellent location. And, Colette, was there to greet us when we got to our room!



It was barely 10 a.m. and we had the whole day to venture and explore Boston. And, explore we did. We must have walked 100 miles! Here are some sights from our walk!

The beautiful firehouse...



Fenway Park...(Dynamo was going to wear his Yankees jersey, but it wasn't advised) Let's just say that everyone in Boston wears Boston Red Sox gear! All. The. Time!



And, the Green Monster!



Swan boats in the Boston Public Garden...


The momma duck and her ducklings...





A lovely church...



And, this crazy squirrel eating at the Fenway Victory Gardens...



Lots of food and desserts!



We also took a short break on the steps at M.I.T. Yes, that's where all the smart people are! And, we were a short distance from Harvard too!

We knew we had to get to the bridge on Massachusetts Avenue early to claim our spot for the 10:30 p.m. fireworks extravaganza!



So, we sat on the bridge for 3.5 hours waiting for the fireworks to start. Here we are claiming our railing on the bridge!



Here is a pic of all the people getting ready!





While waiting we saw this guy on a really TALL bike and a girl on a smaller bike riding through the crowd. Can you see them?



It was well worth the wait. They were the highest, best fireworks I'd ever seen. Here are some photos! Enjoy!













It was so fantastic to be at the heart of it all. It was special to be there with Dynamo experiencing something so fantastic! There were hundreds of people all around us. It seemed like everyone was speaking a different language. The people on one side were hispanic and on the other side were from Ethiopia. It was amazing to see everyone coming together to celebrate! And, everyone was so pleasant and friendly.

No one does the 4th of July better and bigger than Boston!

Afterwards, Dynamo said..."All that's left is New Year's Eve in New York!" I'm thinking hard about that one! That's a whole lot more people! But, we'll see!

More on the next leg of the trip in my next post...

Firecracker Cake Betty Crocker Style

So, I saw this absolutely gorgeous festive cake out there in cyberspace from Betty Crocker. I just had to try it for myself. Here's how mine turned out...



I think it looked very 4th of July-ish and yummy! It was super easy and from what I hear it tasted pretty good. I sent it to work with Dynamo for his office friends!

I do like to share some type of goodie for each holiday to make our friends and co-workers feel special...Well, because they are!

Happy 4 and 7 today, Dynamo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then...

(2004 - when we started dating)

Our wedding day...

(2007 - the best day of my life!!!)

(July 2010, Wilmington, NC)

 

(October 2010, Georgia)

(February 2011, Richmond, VA)

With every day that passes I am more and more thankful of our time together as husband and wife and as best friends. You came into my life and swept me off of my feet...still do - like this!!!!!

You are my Prince Charming! I have learned so much from you and each day become a better person because of the love you show and give me...it's unconditional. Everyone should be able to experience that love. I'm so blessed to be so loved by you! I'm so blessed to have you! God has given me a special gift by giving me you! I thank him everyday for one more moment with you!

I'm so glad that you left your number on my car windshield that day 7 years ago! I'm glad I decided to call you :) We've been through lots of changes, but the one thing that has remained the same (and grown tremendously) is my love for you!

So, happy 4 year wedding anniversary, Dynamo! And...happy 7 years together!!! I love you forever and ever!!

If The Stars Were Mine

If the stars were mine,

I'd give them all to you.

I'd pluck them down right from the sky

And leave it only blue.

I would never let the sun forget

To shine upon your face.

So when others would have rain clouds

You'd have only sunny days.

If the stars were mine,

I'd tell you what I'd do:

I'd put the stars right in a jar

And give 'em all to you

If the birds were mine

I'd tell them when to sing.

I'd make them sing a sonnet

When your telephone would ring.

I would put them there inside the square

Whenever you went out.

So there'd always be sweet music

Whenever you walk about.

If the birds were mine,

I'd tell you what I'd do:

I'd teach the birds such lovely words

And make 'em sing for you.

I'd teach the birds such lovely words

And make 'em sing for you.

If the world was mine,

I'd paint it gold and green.

I'd make the oceans orange

For a brilliant color scheme.

I would color all the mountains

Make the sky forever blue.

So the world would be a painting

And I'd live inside with you.

If the world was mine,

I'd tell you what I'd do:

I'd wrap the world in ribbons

And then give it all to you.

I'd teach the birds such lovely words

And make 'em sing for you.

I'd put those stars right in a jar and

Give them all to you.

words and music by Melody Gardot, 2009 

Happy Birthday Momma!

Today is my Momma's birthday! Happy Birthday!

Dynamo and Dad say I'm just like my mom! I look like her (Dad still swears I look more like him), act like her, have her attitude (according to Dad), etc. Well, she is a pretty awesome woman! She has so many qualities that I admire! She's giving, loving, VERY forgiving, dedicated, hard working, and on and on. I am grateful that I always had the mom that everyone wanted. As a kid my friends never wanted to go home. They loved my mom. They thought she was "cool." She chaperoned all of the school field trips. I always knew I had a special mom. She put me first always!

I probably wasn't the most grateful kid at times. Who is right? Well, I remember my mom always telling me that if I thought life would be better at one of my friends' houses then I should just go live over there. In reality my house was the one that all the kids wanted to hang out at. And, now that I'm older I know it wasn't because I was a good friend or had the pool in the backyard or the basketball net (well, maybe it was just a little because of that). It was because when they were at my house my mom fed them and cared for them. Our house was the "safe" place in the world. There was love! There was attention! There was a mom and a dad. So many kids don't have that "safe" place. I'm so glad that my mom (and dad) gave my friends and I that safe place to be.

I LOVE YOU, Momma (yes, I know I spell this wrong, but that's how I want to spell it)! Have a great day! Thanks for being my mom!