Weekend Trip #2 - Nantucket

I've taken a much-to-long break from packing trying to get this post up before my computer goes back in its box, into a moving truck, and across the country day after tomorrow.

So here it is.

A week and a half ago we were lucky to have Johnny's two aunts out to visit before we left the East and all it has to offer. We had already planned a trip up to New England for the same weekend, and after telling them our plans, they were all for joining us! We rented a minivan and picked them up from the airport, and didn't stop going, going, going, until we dropped them off five days later!

Day1

Here's a little map of the trip we took:

We picked Susan and Nancy up from the airport, grabbed some philly cheesesteaks, and headed right up to New York City. We gave them a car tour, stopping to let them out in certain spots, and finally parked near Rockefeller Center.

The Aunties took the boys for a couple of hours so Johnny and I could go to the top of the Rock and take some photos of the NYC skyline - something we wanted to do before the move.

In this photo, the big dark spot is Central Park

Can you see Times Square on the right?

After taking photos we met back up with the rest of the group and headed up to Hyannis, MA. Johnny and I may or may not have looked into how long the drive would take us to get there, and we possibly arrived at 3:00am in the morning...

We got up bright and early and headed across the street from our hotel to the Hyannis Ferry that would take us over to the island of Nantucket. The weather couldn't have been more perfect and we were in for a great day!

Drake was SO excited to ride on the Biiiiiig Booooaaaat!

Right off the ferry was the main shopping area where we walked around until lunch.

Johnny dutifully did his job as the husband, babysitting the boys while the ladies shopped.

I'm not sure if that is a cigarette or a spoon in his mouth...

We walked around the town and saw things like this....

and this....(flowers were EVERYWHERE)

Then stopped for lunch at a cute little cafe. I someone managed to eat all of my food, and finish everyone elses. Isn't that the mans job?

Oh wait, I'm pregnant.

Good excuse, I know.

After lunch the kiddos were exhausted (and the aunties) so they let Johnny and I go off and do a little sightseeing on our own.

My knight-in-shining-jeep showed up and whisked me off to roam the island.

This lighthouse used to be right on the edge, but the beach is eroding so they have to keep moving it back. It was a beautiful view!

Aw, cute.

The colors were so vibrant, I didn't have to touch up these pictures at all!

After a long day we said goodbye to Nantucket and headed back to our hotel.

I'm so grateful we were able to see this beautiful place, and I'd highly recommend trying to see it yourself!

Day 2

We woke up to, as Drake observed, lots of "rain on cars outside"

(here is the 30 seconds of them getting along)

Morning Johnny driving the swagger wagon.

First stop today was Newport, RI. I've blogged about Newport before, its one of mine and Johnny's favorite places. There are old, historic mansions along the coast that you can tour, and thats just what we did!

The aunties took the boys again - which was wonderful and I have no idea why they kept offering - and Johnny and I picked two mansions to tour.

The first mansion is called The Breakers because of the waves breaking along the coast in the backyard. It was HUGE. Built by the Vanderbilts in 1893, it was their "summer home" where they stayed a couple months out of the year.

Front view, view from the back porch, and a view from the end of the yard.

They didn't allow any photos in the inside of the house, but I couldn't help it. These were all taken while the camera hung from my neck and rested on my belly, so they are a little skewed, but you get the idea. These people were R-I-C-H rich.

There is a trail along the coast behind the mansions that we took to meet back up with everyone.

Before seeing Mansion #2, we said hello to the Bubbs and Drakie.

We had a few minutes of roughhousing before Johnny and I headed to mansion #2.

The Elms.

Almost torn down to build a strip mall in its place.

I didn't put up pictures of the rooms, because this house was all about the yard. My dream yard.

This is the "guest house"

After our mansion touring, we met back up with the family and said one last goodbye to the East Coast...sigh.

We hopped in the car and headed back home with dvd's and lots of snacks.

This was probably one of the greatest little vacations Johnny and I have ever taken. It was such a joy to have Johnny's aunts with us, who are two of the most down to earth people I've ever met! I love that they loved being with the boys and were so generous in wanting to watch them. (I promise they offered and we didn't just take them to be full time sitters!)

We loved every minute of it and I'm so glad we went!