Day 5....Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island is probably the most beautiful place I have ever been. It was gorgeous. I couldn't get enough of the scenery, the rolling hills, the trees mixed with green planted fields, the ocean. It was all breathtaking.

We stopped at a Scotsman's jam shop. He made great jam. I would be enjoying mine currently, but the people of Montreal (a place I now despise) made me throw away my jam. Granted it was technically the airline security lawmakers that made me throw away my jam. There was some chaos when we had one bag that was too heavy to check and as we frantically removed items and stashed them in other bags the jam ended up in our carry-on. But enough about that. I liked this particular Scotsman, not that I've known many. But if I were to go back to his store I would definitely buy more of his jam. Because it was good, and because he was funny.

We walked around the town near where we ported (I think it was Charlottetown) and found some amazing churches. This one was my favorite. I wish the pictures did it justice.

We also got to visit the Green Gables house. I never knew the story, but apparently LM Montgomery was orphaned and raised by her crotchety grandparents and didn't have a very happy home life. But she had friends whom she spent a lot of time with who lived in this very house. And this, along with the surrounding area, is the setting for Anne of Green Gables.
This shot^is lovers lane in the book and the first picture of this post is the haunted forest. After visiting Green Gables I bought my own copy of the book. I figured it was appropriate to buy a copy of it on Prince Edward Island. This town is all about Anne. Complete with themed stores, and a musical performed every year. Here I am in front of the store where I bought my copy.

Day 4...Sydney (Nova Scotia?)

On this particular day we headed to Fort Lewisburg. It was a fort that had been recreated in the exact location of the original Fort Lewisburg. The foundations were all that remained of the original fort and so they built the city, which looked exactly like the original. There are reinactors there and they act out a specific person and can tell you all about the person they are and their home, work, etc. It was pretty cool.

When in a fort and surrounded by cannons....might as well ride one.

A confessional.....

Goob and I hung out and went to a chocolate making presentation while John and his dad were at a bullet making class or something military like. Goob was lucky enough to get to grate the hard ball of chocolate and make hot chocolate. We then got to drink the hot chocolate. Which was good, but I'm grateful for my Stephen's hot chocolate for sure.

We also ate an authentic meal. We wore bibs and received only one spoon to last the entire meal. The bread we ate was, how can I put this delicately, gross. But the rest of the food was actually pretty good. But I'm sure I got back on the ship and ate an ice cream cone!

I think this day primarily turned into exploring the city and a photo shoot. Hence the great photos. Who's up for a keg of beer?

Day 3...Halifax Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia was probably one of my favorite stops. The people there wer very friendly, true Canadians. And the scenery was beautiful. The town was gorgeous and had the most amazing park I have ever seen. Unfortunately I have no pictures of it. The greenery there just amazes me.

We took a tour with a great tour guide. She was an amazing story teller. I could have listened to her all day. We visited the cemetery where the people that died when the Titanic sunk were buried. It was kind of somber to walk around the cemetery and see the numbered headstones and pictures that were there. Some of the graves were identified and the families had sent money for headstones, and others were just a marker with a number on it. The number corresponded to the order that the bodies were pulled out of the water.

We heard stories about the electricians who were the unsung heroes who saved lives by keeping the power on until 2 minutes before the ship sunk. The musicians who really did play until the last moment like in the movie. We even saw one of the musicians headstones where someone had placed his picture and some flowers.

In Halifax we also went to a tiny little fishing town on Peggy's Cove. The rocks and the lighthouse were quite a sight.

This last light house is just another random one that we could see from our ship. I just couldn't help but thinking everywhere we went that it would be amazing to live somewhere with such amazing scenery. I can't imagine being able to have views like this on a daily basis.

Day 2...Bar Harbor, Maine

Our first port was at Bar harbor, Maine. Apparently there are islands off the coast of Maine. Who knew?! It was and adorable little town. It felt a little like McCall, only cooler because it was by the ocean. And for some reason oceans are cooler than lakes...perhaps I feel this way because I live by lakes and not the ocean?



Notice my fancy bun....unfortunately this is how my hair looked much of the week.

I loved the side of this building that was covered in license plates.

After a walk around the main part of town we got on a bus and did some sight seeing from there. We went to the top of a "mountain" (I say "mountain" because I feel that term is used a little loosely in the east) where we were supposed to be able to see the entire island, but as luck would have it, it was foggy. Then we visited this lobster fisherman. He had a little set up that you would expect to see on an elementary field trip, but I was fascinated by it all. Maybe because I knew nothing of lobster fishing before this moment. I liked learning about the different fisherman's buoys and how lobster that are too small or too large or are mothers all have to be thrown back. Mothers receive a nick in their tail and are safe for the rest of their lives. Interesting....

We also drove to an outlook ( I forgot the name of it) but the scenery was beautiful.

I would love to go back to bar Harbor and spend a week. I'm sure it would be amazing to send some time in the town and explore the area a little more.

Day 1....Boston and Boarding the Ship

We left our house early Friday morning. I was a little paranoid at this point and nervous for the babysitter and my mom and the long week ahead of them.

After a long day of travel we were finally in Boston. And even though it was a bit late we hopped on the subway and headed into downtown. I love downtown Boston. I love how the old and the new are all mixed together. I love the brick streets and the history of it all. Unfortunately all of the sights there were closed down, but we still enjoyed a little walk around.

I'm sure the locals thought we were ridiculous taking pictures of the subway. But hey, we're from Idaho.



The next morning we got up and got on our ship and immediately started exploring.....
And eating. I seriously had my first ice cream cone within 60 minutes of boarding. It was delicious. My only regret of the trip is not eating more ice cream cones. (Although my thighs would beg to differ.) I'm not sure why I don't look happy in this picture. Maybe I'm looking at the ice cream station?
Then John and I went and enjoyed our free 2 minute massage. John got his from Lifestylist Lance. He then complained about being sore for 2 days. Apparently lifestylist Lance has some tough hads.
After some more exploring we set sail. It was at this point that I got sea sick. Totally unexpected. Luckily Alene had an extra motion sickness patch, or I would have been miserable.

This is Grandma Jansen and me as we were pulling away from the dock. We look pretty good, right?

We're Home!

John and I got home on Saturday night from our amazing cruise. We had an amazing week long cruise and a sad (at least for me) 10 days away from our kids. I will admit that I shed a few tears in regard to missing, or thinking, about leaving my kids for that long. But the trip was great and worth it. The kids stayed with my parents...to whom we now owe our lives :)....so we could spend the time away from home.

The time on the boat was amazing, the food delicious, and the cities we visited were gorgeous! I now want to own a vacation home on Prince Edward Island, Bar Harbor, Maine, Quebec City, and perhaps Halifax too. The country side there was breathtaking. I had a few too many favorite moments.

The company was pretty good too! John's grandma Jansen and brother Matt were along for the trip as well. I think we will forever feel endebted to John's parents for taking us on the trip too.

I will post more pictures later and do some sort of daily log. But I knew if I didn't at least post this, the thought of posting a complete log of the trip would feel so overwhelming that I would never blog again.

Now I can take my time and occasionally blog about other things.....hopefully.

This Girl's Got Style!

Emmie is slowly but surely entering the wonderful world of dress-up. And it makes me smile every time I see her in her favorite accessories.

These goggles have been on Emmie constantly for about a week now. She wears them everyday. She wears them to the store, she wore them to our ward primary activity, she wears them everywhere, literally! And I laugh everywhere we go.

I'm wondering if here love of goggles will fade as the kids swimming lessons end and she isn't reminded of them every day. Only time will tell......