1. Nauvoo, Illinois
Our trip to Nauvoo at the beginning of the summer to go to my brother Greg's wedding. In this photo our family is sitting on the graves of Joseph, Hyrum, and Emma Smith. After Greg's wedding reception, we took all of the wedding flowers to the graves as a special tribute to the founders of the early church.
2. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Right after arriving in Pennsylvania, we made a trip with Nick's parents down to Gettysburg. We hired our own private guide and got the in depth look at the battlefield and history of this sacred battleground. Here are Maddi and Spence atop one of the original Gettysburg cannons.
Right after arriving in Pennsylvania, we made a trip with Nick's parents down to Gettysburg. We hired our own private guide and got the in depth look at the battlefield and history of this sacred battleground. Here are Maddi and Spence atop one of the original Gettysburg cannons.
3. Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
Not long after going to Gettysburg, we made a trip to Valley Forge. Elder Orson Hyde was quoted as saying that "Moroni was in [this] camp of Washington and, by an invisible hand, lead on our fathers to conquest and victory." Perhaps it was he who inspired Washington to kneel by his horse and pray, as pictured in the famous Friberg painting. We could definitely feel that we were standing on holy ground while there. In this photo, Nick and the kids are parked in front of one of the winter cabins. While there, we were told that one of the best ways to see Valley Forge was to bike the five mile trail--so, being the crazy family that we are, we hooked Maddi and Spence up in a bike trailer behind their Dad, and I biked with Emmie in the Snooglie. Needless to say, next time we'll drive!
Not long after going to Gettysburg, we made a trip to Valley Forge. Elder Orson Hyde was quoted as saying that "Moroni was in [this] camp of Washington and, by an invisible hand, lead on our fathers to conquest and victory." Perhaps it was he who inspired Washington to kneel by his horse and pray, as pictured in the famous Friberg painting. We could definitely feel that we were standing on holy ground while there. In this photo, Nick and the kids are parked in front of one of the winter cabins. While there, we were told that one of the best ways to see Valley Forge was to bike the five mile trail--so, being the crazy family that we are, we hooked Maddi and Spence up in a bike trailer behind their Dad, and I biked with Emmie in the Snooglie. Needless to say, next time we'll drive!
4. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
After biking through Valley Forge, we made our way over to Philadelphia, the "city of brotherly love." While here, we played in Freedom Park, toured Independence Hall, and ended our day at the Liberty Bell.
After biking through Valley Forge, we made our way over to Philadelphia, the "city of brotherly love." While here, we played in Freedom Park, toured Independence Hall, and ended our day at the Liberty Bell.
5. Washington, D.C.
One of the reasons we wanted to live on the east coast was to be close to my brother Eric and his family. When we matched in Pennsylvania, we vowed to take every opportunity we could to spend time together. Our first outing to D.C. was of course over the 4th of July. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to spend Independence Day in the nation's capitol. Although it was kind of crazy sitting on the Capitol lawn for several hours--in the rain, thanks to a special prayer from Maddi, it cleared up for the show and fireworks display. As we stood on the capitol lawn, with flags waving in every direction and the national anthem sounding in our ears, we truly felt proud to be Americans.
One of the reasons we wanted to live on the east coast was to be close to my brother Eric and his family. When we matched in Pennsylvania, we vowed to take every opportunity we could to spend time together. Our first outing to D.C. was of course over the 4th of July. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to spend Independence Day in the nation's capitol. Although it was kind of crazy sitting on the Capitol lawn for several hours--in the rain, thanks to a special prayer from Maddi, it cleared up for the show and fireworks display. As we stood on the capitol lawn, with flags waving in every direction and the national anthem sounding in our ears, we truly felt proud to be Americans.
6. Strasburg, Pennsylvania
One week after the 4th of July, we again met up with Eric and Jenny for a weekend get-away in Lancaster County. We began our weekend with a trip to the Strasburg rail yards. I don't know who was more excited about the trains, Spencer or Nicholas, but the day was a hit with everyone. We rode the open air trains through the beautiful Amish country and then let the kids play with their cousins at the train museum. It was the perfect way to get Spencer excited for his train birthday party and will probably be a destination we return to before we leave the coast.
7. Intercourse, Pennsylvania
After a day of seeing the trains in Strasburg, we drove across Lancaster County to a little Amish town called Intercourse. Since I am so infatuated with the Amish--I tell Nicholas that if I ever turn up missing, he ought to look for me among the Amish--I managed to talk everyone into doing an Amish Farm Stay. Our farm stay included lodging in an Amish guest house, a hearty Pennsylvania Dutch breakfast--prepared by the Amish family running the farm, and a taste of true Amish farm life. Our kids loved milking the cows, feeding the calves, and seeing all of the other farm animals. And of course, Nick couldn't leave without asking to ride one of their scooters!! This is a picture of the farm in its summer splendor.
8. Lancaster, Pennsylvania
After completing our farm stay, we drove over to Lancaster with Eric and Jenny and took all of the kids to Dutch Wonderland, an amusement park just for younger kids. The kids had a blast!! What a fun way to spend time with their cousins! We capped off the weekend by coming back to our place and having Spencer's train birthday party. It was definitely a weekend to remember.
After completing our farm stay, we drove over to Lancaster with Eric and Jenny and took all of the kids to Dutch Wonderland, an amusement park just for younger kids. The kids had a blast!! What a fun way to spend time with their cousins! We capped off the weekend by coming back to our place and having Spencer's train birthday party. It was definitely a weekend to remember.
9. Niagara Falls, Canada
Two weeks after our Strasburg trip we were off again, this time to meet up with Greg and his family in Niagara Falls. The kids loved getting drenched on the Maid of the Mist boat ride and Nick couldn't get enough of the view. Lucky for him we got to see it for a long time as the Canadian customs personnel almost didn't let us back into the country!! Apparently, they didn't believe all of the kids in our car were ours--as though three children 3 and under is impossible! I felt like telling the guard that I could breastfeed Emmie for him if he needed more proof--but I decided that might be going a little too far.
Two weeks after our Strasburg trip we were off again, this time to meet up with Greg and his family in Niagara Falls. The kids loved getting drenched on the Maid of the Mist boat ride and Nick couldn't get enough of the view. Lucky for him we got to see it for a long time as the Canadian customs personnel almost didn't let us back into the country!! Apparently, they didn't believe all of the kids in our car were ours--as though three children 3 and under is impossible! I felt like telling the guard that I could breastfeed Emmie for him if he needed more proof--but I decided that might be going a little too far.
10. Palmyra, New York (Are you exhausted yet--we're only half way there!)
After visiting Niagara Falls, we made our way back to Palmyra, New York for the final performance of the Hill Cumorah Pageant. We then stayed the night in Palmyra and visited the Sacred Grove, the E.B. Grandin Printing Press, the Hill Cumorah, and we swapped babysitting so we could do sessions in the Palmyra Temple. This photo was taken right after a little devotional we had in the Sacred Grove.
11. Fayette, New York
Even though we were worn out from three days of constantly going, we couldn't pass up the chance to visit Fayette, New York and the little home where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in this dispensation. The Church's Visitor's Center here was next to impossible to find, but worth the stop. They told us they had a special time capsule on site that would be opened on the Church's 200th birthday--April 6, 2030. We decided we'll try to make it back here for that special occasion--perhaps we won't be the only ones there.
12. Hershey, Pennsylvania
When you live in Pennsylvania, you just have to make a day trip to Hershey. Here we are riding the train in Hershey Park's kid land. Ironically enough, we didn't eat any chocolate the whole day!!
13. New York City, New York
Another fabulous day trip we couldn't pass up. New York City is only an hour and a half from us and the kids simply loved visiting the Statue of Liberty. We also visited Ellis Island and then took a three hour detour into FAO Schwartz! And then we only ended up leaving because the store was closing! We will definitely be back to New York City before too long.
Another fabulous day trip we couldn't pass up. New York City is only an hour and a half from us and the kids simply loved visiting the Statue of Liberty. We also visited Ellis Island and then took a three hour detour into FAO Schwartz! And then we only ended up leaving because the store was closing! We will definitely be back to New York City before too long.
14. Mystic Seaport, Connecticut
When we decided to move to the East Coast, I had this secret wish that we would make the time to do a northeastern driving tour during the peak foliage season. When we got Nick's fall schedule, however, it looked like the trip would be impossible to make. After much deliberation, and a few switched shifts, we found ourselves on the weekend getaway of a lifetime. During our seven years of marriage, Nicholas and I have visited 43 states, including Hawaii and Alaska, and 17 countries including most of Europe, New Zealand and Australia. This trip was easily amongst our favorites, and a trip we will surely make countless times again in the future. Because we were very limited on time, we traveled in true Hoskins style. We departed Whitehall, Pennsylvania in the middle of the night with the intention of arriving in Boston, Massachusetts by 9:00am. As we crossed the Connecticut border, however, the coastal colors drew us in and we decided to make a short detour. Rather than cutting through Connecticut and Massachusetts, we decided to follow the coast through Mystic Seaport and then up through Providence, Rhode Island. The kids loved making a short stop at the Mystic Seaport shipyard and Nicholas was happy to get to add Rhode Island to his list of states visited. (Now I'm only up on him by two states.) If only time would have permitted a trip over to Cape Cod and Plymouth Rock! Perhaps this would make a good Thanksgiving trip someday.
15. Boston, Massachusetts
Although we didn't get to Boston until around 10:30, we still made it to quite a few sites along the historic Freedom Trail. We walked the first mile stopping at each historical point. Then we paused for lunch in Quincy Market. And after lunch drove to the four remaining sites of our choosing: Paul Revere's House, the Old North Church, the Bunker Hill Monument, and Old Ironsides. Nick declared Boston to be one of his favorite cities in the lower 48 states, and I have to agree. It is such a fun mix of historical and modern cultures.
Although we didn't get to Boston until around 10:30, we still made it to quite a few sites along the historic Freedom Trail. We walked the first mile stopping at each historical point. Then we paused for lunch in Quincy Market. And after lunch drove to the four remaining sites of our choosing: Paul Revere's House, the Old North Church, the Bunker Hill Monument, and Old Ironsides. Nick declared Boston to be one of his favorite cities in the lower 48 states, and I have to agree. It is such a fun mix of historical and modern cultures.
16. Salem, Massachusetts
We lingered in Boston a little longer then expected, but our loss of sunlight helped tipped the scales in the direction of a Salem stopover. While Salem is a cool historical site to visit during the other 11 months of the year, it was CRAZY to visit in the month of October--not to mention the week before Halloween. There were witches everywhere, and ghosts and ghouls, etc. All of the shops had smoke machines and strobe lights casting an eerie feeling over the town. We couldn't resist pausing by the Salem Witch Village and getting a photo in our own witch garb. Happy Halloween indeed!
We lingered in Boston a little longer then expected, but our loss of sunlight helped tipped the scales in the direction of a Salem stopover. While Salem is a cool historical site to visit during the other 11 months of the year, it was CRAZY to visit in the month of October--not to mention the week before Halloween. There were witches everywhere, and ghosts and ghouls, etc. All of the shops had smoke machines and strobe lights casting an eerie feeling over the town. We couldn't resist pausing by the Salem Witch Village and getting a photo in our own witch garb. Happy Halloween indeed!
17. Freeport, Maine
From Salem we drove into the night up to Freeport, Maine--the home of L.L Bean. We rolled into our camp site at 11:00. The thermometer in our car read 34 degrees. Since our kids were sleeping, Nicholas and I left the car running and used the headlights to set up our tent. Nick pumped up the air mattress and unrolled sleeping bags while I put the kids into their jammies. Actually, I just zipped the kids jammies up right over their clothes!! Then I carried them from the warm car and put them straight into their warm sleeping bag. In the morning, I carried them right back to the car, unzipped their jammies, and they were dressed and ready to go. Nick and I broke camp in under 15 minutes, and back on the road we went. Our first stop, since the sun wasn't up yet, was over to the 24 hour L.L. Bean. After enjoying a free hunter's breakfast and a brief look around--not to mention a little freshening up in their bathroom, we headed on our way. I couldn't resist taking this picture before we left Freeport though. The whole town was so quaint. This building, believe it or not, is the Freeport McDonalds.
18. Portland, Maine
From Freeport we actually drove down to Cape Elizabeth, Maine, and then back up the coast into the Portland area. Immediately Nicholas and I both realized that this was a city we would always love. We took the kids on a harbor boat cruise and explored several of the islands in the area as well as photographed several of the nation's most famous lighthouses. Before we headed out of town, we stopped at a local lobster shack--you can't go to Maine without eating some lobster! Little did we know they were going to lift the lobster right out of the pot and put it straight onto our plates. You should have seen the kid's faces when they brought the tray with two whole lobsters looking right at them! It was a picture that was worth a thousand words.
19. North Conway, New Hampshire
From Portland we cut up through Maine and entered northern New Hampshire right near the ski town of North Conway. While researching our trip, I found a scenic train ride here that would take us from the train station up to a little pumpkin patch and cider mill. The kids could wear their halloween costumes, pick a pumpkin at the pumpkin patch, and have fresh apple cider and cider donuts. It was a great way to entertain the kids and get a close up view of the beautiful New Hampshire foliage. This is a picture of us in front of the train station after we got back.
20. Stowe, Vermont
The final destination on our weekend getaway was Stowe, Vermont. Two years agao, Nicholas and I came here on a weekend getaway to celebrate our five year anniversary. What a treat to get to return so soon, and what a family friendly destination Stowe is! First we stopped off at the Morris Maple Syrup Farm and taught the kids all about where syrup comes from. Then we headed over to the Ben and Jerry's ice cream factory for a short tour and ice cream sampling. Next we stopped at the Cold Hollow Cider mill for some of the world's best apple cider. Finally, we found a park to let the kids play in while we drank in the last of the beautiful fall color. As late afternoon turned into evening, we reluctantly loaded everyone into the car and began the trip back home. It was a fantastic trip, crammed in just the way we like it!! This photo is in front of an old fashioned cider press at the cider mill.
No comments:
Post a Comment