My New England Trip

At the beginning of September (a couple days after Labor Day) my mom, Ayla and I headed to Rhode Island to visit my niece Chelsea and her husband James. Originally I had planned to take both babies (that's why I asked my mom to come), but the day before we were to leave Keith and I talked about it and decided that mom and I would be able to enjoy the trip a lot more if we didn't have two babies sleep schedules to maintain and two babies to tackle on the airplane. Boy am I glad we decided to just take Ayla, while I missed Cole terribly, one baby is sooo much easier to handle than two, and yes, I was able to enjoy the trip a whole lot more.

Anyway....so we took a red eye on the 6th and arrived early morning on the 7th. We chatted a bit with Chelsea and ate lunch then decided to get a nap in before exploring Wickford. After a restful nap James was home so we all headed to Wickford and explored the cute little town next to bay with sailboats. The homes were so dreamy and so well preserved for being built in the 1700s and up. Later we had burgers and sweet potato fries for dinner.

Exploring Wickford

Love New England homes

On Friday we headed to Mansfield, MA and Boston, MA. Mansfield is where Chelsea lived until middle school then they moved to Texas. We had fun exploring the Old Country Store, seeing her childhood home and school and eating at some of her favorite places from her childhood-- Town Spa Pizza and Crescent Ridge Ice Cream.

My sister Nikki came and lived in MA with my sister and her family for a semester and she worked at this store. I can still remember when Nikki brought back a bunch of candy to Idaho from this store and we were so mesmerized because we'd never seen/tasted most of it before!

Penny Candy!

Ayla ready for some pizza!

This pizza was so delish!

Crescent Ridge ice cream is the real deal! Look how huge just one scoop is!

Ayla loved the goats near the ice cream place

Once we got to Boston we followed the Freedom Trail along all the historic sites in Boston. I just love visiting big cities that I've never been to, especially historic sites!

Our first stop along the Freedom Trail in Boston

I thought this lady was neat, she looked like a real statue!

I don't remember what this place was called in Boston but it was like one huge long indoor alley full of all kinds of places to eat, all in one big long row.

Outside Paul Revere's home

Chels said we had to try a cannoli while in Boston, Mike's Pastry's are some of the best, and I sure agree!

Holy Cannoli!

Paul Revere Statue

Outside the church where the famous "one if by land, two if by sea" signal by Paul Revere was sent.

Boston Harbor

Boston Commons

"Make Way for Ducklings" statue in the Boston Commons. Ayla had an "accident" and I didn't come prepared with extra clothing so she had no pants. Good thing it was warm enough.

Cutie Ayla

On a nice little walk through the Boston Commons

Ayla sure loved James


On SATURDAY we headed to a farmers market at Casey Farm (an old historic farm from the 1700s) still in operation today. Afterwards we headed to Narragansett Beach to swim for a bit and then out to lunch at the most delicious seafood place everrrr!! After some full bellies we grabbed some Iggy's doughboys and headed to Point Judith Lighthouse and watched some surfers. What a great day!


Delicious donuts at the farmers market, mom snagged some scrumptious apples!

Walking around Casey Farm

I've missed the beach!

Yummy fish tacos, clam chowder and clam cakes for lunch.

Point Judith Lighthouse and Iggy's Doughboys

Don't mind me as I stuff my face with this delicious treat!

SUNDAY we headed to church and afterwards we were able to walk along the Newport Cliff walk and see the spectacular mansions, including the Breakers Mansion. After dinner Chels and I made homemade toffee and James made some delicious chocolate chip cookies while we all watched Split Infinity.

Our amazing view along the cliff walk

MONDAY was our last full day in Rhode Island. We spent the morning at a local breakfast place called T's. Afterwards we walked to the super cute local library just down the street from Chelsea's house. Then we headed back to get James so we could all head to Watch Hill, Rhode Island to spot Taylor Swift's mansion of a house right on the beach.

Love me some french toast!

We made a pit stop on the way to Watch Hill at Nana's Candy Bar because I had promised Carson some treats all the way from Rhode Island. Here I am holding the longest gummy snake I've ever seen!



Spying on T-Swift's house

Her house is huge!

Our walk in Watch Hill down to the Ocean right by a lighthouse


We decided since it's basically fall and all that we needed to visit a Cider Mill in Connecticut because cider and donuts were sounding amazing! Plus I could cross another state off visited, making my total three on this trip.

Huge truck full of apples for the cider

Just enjoying this delicious donut

Ayla loved the cider she gobbled it right up!

Cutest little cider mill you ever did see. Come to think of it I don't think I've ever been to a cider mill before.

Enjoying our donuts and legit apple cider on the porch outside the store

Seriously the best apple cider I've ever had!


Annnnd on to TUESDAY which was our last day. :( We didn't fly out till almost 5:00 pm which still gave us time to fit a couple more things in. First stop--Awful, Awful milkshakes. And yes, they were awfully good!! Then--Del's lemonade. We had to get in all the Rhode Island and New England food we could on our trip and I'm so glad we pretty much got to taste it all!

Our last stop was Roger Williams Park and Zoo. We didn't have enough time to do the Zoo but we did drive around the park. It was an insanely huge park, so big, that yeah, you have to drive around to see it all. It was absolutely gorgeous, full of trees and ponds and flowers and lots of beauty. Before we headed to Wendy's to grab some lunch and then the airport we rode the carousel, all four of us girls. Ayla sure loved it.

I had such an AMAZING New England experience. I want to go back already!! Thanks Chels and James for being such great hosts and taking us to do and see so much. I'm so glad we were able to do basically everything we had on our list of must see/do & eat!! I loved the food, weather, sights, EVERYTHING!! Can't wait for another visit!