Summer LINK Boston (part 2)

Here are some pictures and things from the second half of our time in Boston...

We were able to go see the Dead Sea Scrolls. This was really amazing and if you ever get the opportunity to see them, do it! The oldest Old Testament manuscripts that we have. So much history there!

We went down to where the bombings were at the marathon finish line. 

We rode public transportation a lot. Doesn't G look like a pro!?

Grayson went through a nap strike and we developed some bad sleeping habits just trying to get him to nap. He is going through sleep bootcamp soon! He often ended up like this in our bed...

We helped Redemption Hill with Serve Medford week. 

We also helped facilitate Community Fun Night. 

(Kelsey, I stole these pictures from you!)

We spent our last Saturday in the city with a picnic, walking around and a ferry ride. 

Our last Sunday at Redemption Hill.

Youth Bash/3 on 3 tournament

 Worship and Word time

We had a big cookout with the Redemption Hill team to celebrate the end of Summer LINK. 

On our last day, we went into the city to hang out one more time. We visited Chinatown and had lunch there. Grayson had a major diaper explosion while we were finishing lunch (which was quite a funny scene). We were just trying to book-it out of the restaurant and we hadn't quite yet put his clothes back on him when this picture was taken... we didn't just take him into the city naked ;)

Then on Thursday, we packed everything up and headed out... Chad driving home, me and G flying. Here is all of our stuff in the elevator, headed down to pack up the car. 

We really loved leading this team and really enjoyed our time in Boston. We even loved our time living in the hotel and miss it! More on the hotel to come...

kayaking

For one of our Summer LINK socials, we kayaked on the Charles River with our team. We had it scheduled for earlier in the summer, but it fell on a gray, nasty day. I'm so glad we waited, it was a beautiful afternoon. We decided to take G with us. He was so funny, once he had that life jacket on, he did. not. move. I even checked to make sure he was breathing a few times because he was so still. I guess he just didn't know what to think. 

We were amazed at how beautiful the view was from the kayak. We pretty much just stayed in this area and enjoyed the view and being on the water. 

 G fell asleep not long after we were on the water. 

 This was our first time in a kayak. I really enjoyed it... but I didn't have to paddle at all :) 

us in boston common

Here is our family at the same place in Boston Common at the end of March and then in July. 

I love comparison pictures (even though there isn't much time between these pics). Grayson was 4 months old in the first picture and then almost 8 months in the second picture. 

Summer LINK Boston (part 1)

We have thoroughly enjoyed our time as the directors of the Summer LINK Boston team. We really feel like it is such a privilege to work with Redemption Hill and serve Medford with them. Here is a little of what we have been doing. 

Here is the team walking to Redemption Hill our first morning in Boston. I love that we can walk there from the hotel. 

Team dinners...

Our team spends a couple of days each week serving at the Boys and Girls Club. 

We walked the Freedom Trail for our first team social. 

Boston Strong Bruins jersey on the George Washington statue

This is the Mother Goose Statue with all of the little ducklings in Boston Public Garden. I love all of the little ducklings following their leader :) There were just the right amount of ducklings for them to sit on.

 Soccer Nights was last week...

Coach Chad

 The Chasteen kiddos have hung out at the hotel with the team a few times. Here is Owen wanting to hold Grayson :)

 Ava helping to feed Grayson

and some other randoms...

 Grayson and I definitely have to sit out on a good amount of what the group does so he can nap and crawl around some. We have a good time playing in the hotel room. This book has become one of G's favorites and he is often sitting in the floor looking at this book. (Tara- I'm thinking Andrew totally rubbed off on him :)

You can also check out the Generation LINK blog from updates from all of the Summer LINK teams. Or here for updates from just the Boston team.  

Boston

On Friday morning, we woke up early and hopped on a plane to Boston with the Blalocks. This was Grayson's first plane ride! It was also my first time to Boston. Chad, Kevin and Brooke had all been before. 

It was a quick and easy trip up to Boston. I loved the view as we flew in. 

Leigh had collected all sorts of baby stuff for us so we didn't have to bring any baby gear. It was awesome! She got carseats, strollers, and places for Grayson and Bennett to sleep. It was so good to see them when they picked us up at the airport... it had been a couple of years! We loved spending time with their family, seeing Boston and learning some of the in's and out's of church planting. 

We spent the day in the city on Saturday. 

Our crew in front of the Old State House at the site of the 1770 Boston Massacre. On July 18, 1776 people gathered in the street to hear the Declaration of Independence read (first public reading) from the balcony. 

Old State House

Boston Harbor

Ava and Emet watching the sea lions at the aquarium. 

Owen pulled his hat down and took a nap. hilarious. 

North End

We visited Mike's Pastry (in the North End) twice for cannolis. 

 Supermom! Leigh pushed Owen while he napped and carried almost-5-year-old Emet on her back in the Ergo! 

 Boston skyline

New England Holocaust Memorial. The groups of numbers represent the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust. 

Boston Common- oldest park in the country 

 our little family in Boston Common

 at the playground

us with the Blalocks

Leigh, me and Brooke

 Trinity Church... I love how it reflects in the windows of the Hancock Tower. 

finish line for the Boston Marathon

dinner at Boston Burger Company

 Ava was so good with Grayson!

 Bundled and ready for another trip to the city

 view from the T on the way in to the city

 I have heard about Sam LaGrassa's sandwich shop for months from my husband. Chad was so happy to finally get to go. It did not disappoint!

on the T

two sweet boys!

 Chad, Jon and Kevin

Chasteens- we are so thankful for your hospitality (they even gave up their bedrooms to us and they slept in the living room)! We loved, loved, loved spending time with your family!

It was awesome to visit Boston and look forward to going again someday!