A Home Away from Home

Katie always loves staying in hotels. For her, it's like being in a special home. Our hotel in New Hampshire had a long shelf that ran through it - most likely for luggage to sit on. Katie decided that it was a perfect play area and quickly took over the space. It made her very happy!

This was my perfect little getaway, a place to rest up after busy days. 

I loved our hotel!

An Ice Cream Treat

After an afternoon at the beach, we decided we needed to track down some good ice cream. It was a long drive, but we finally got it, and we walked down behind the ice cream shop and enjoyed our dessert by the river. It was beautiful and so relaxing!

When my mom wanted a picture, I decided to be funny! 

I love ice cream cones! 

This was our view while eating. 

When I was done, I only had a little ice cream on my face, a little more on my dress, some on my legs, a spattering on my hands, and maybe a few more drips on Aunt Jennifer! 

Hampton Beach

When we lived in New Hampshire, we lived in Hampton Beach for about six months. We wanted to make sure to take Katie there, so she could say she had experienced an Atlantic Ocean beach as well as a Pacific Ocean beach. She loved everything about it and could have stayed there hours longer!

At first, I didn't want to put my bare feet in the sand, but as soon as I did, I loved it! 

Aunt Jennifer convinced me to put my feet in the ocean. I have never done that before, but I loved that too! 

We had a lot of fun in the waves! 

It was a beautiful beach day! 

After playing in the waves, I went over to the rocky area to look for a starfish. 

I did lots of looking but no finding.

After that, I looked for some shells! 

Then I did my best to build a sandcastle without any tools. It was hard to make the right shape, but it was fun! 

Nearby, we had a friendly visitor. 

I had spent enough time doing other things, so it was time for more time in the water. 

Ahhh...the ocean! 

It was just perfect! 

My mom split her time between talking to Grandma and seeing what we were doing. 

It was the perfect visit!

Driving Down the Coast

After visiting the Bush property, we drove down the coast back towards New Hampshire. Before we left Maine, we stopped for lunch. Katie always loves to eat at a restaurant!

We were at a fish restaurant, but I stuck with a good ol' grilled cheese sandwich!

Up to Maine

The next morning, we drove to Kennebunkport, Maine to see the Bush property. We were hoping for a sunny day, but it was pretty foggy. Regardless, we could still make out the property through the fog, and Katie could say she was there. We enjoyed the time even with the fog. It was so peaceful to feel the sea breeze and hear the splashes of ocean water as they banged into the rocks below.

The Bush property is across from where I was standing. It was pretty big! 

I loved being right next to the ocean! 

There was a big anchor set in the land that was dedicated to the first President Bush. 

I wish you could have smelled the sea air with me! 

We spent quite a bit of time here just appreciating everything about the location. 

Before we left, Grandma and I stopped for a picture! 

Visiting the University

Jennifer and I both went to school at the University of New Hampshire. It was fun to get a hotel in the same town as the college. As soon as we had time, we took Katie to explore the campus and see our old stomping grounds.

 Of course, I had to get my picture in front of Thompson Hall. It was one of my mom's favorite buildings.

Then we walked across the grass and found Morrill Hall where my mom took all of her education classes.

My mom took some of her favorite classes in Conant Hall, the psychology building. 

This was where Aunt Jennifer took her business classes, McConnell Hall.

The campus was really pretty wherever we went! 

Visiting the Home of President Pierce

After visiting with Noreen, we made the drive to see Franklin Pierce's home. He did not own this house,  but he grew up in this house. We loved learning some more history!

We made it here right in time for the last tour of the day to begin!

 I loved to see Franklin Pierce's sleigh that he used.

The house was pretty big! His dad was an important man too! 

My favorite part of the house was the top floor where they had a big ballroom! I'd like one of those! 

Meeting Someone Special

After leaving Massachusetts, we drove to New Hampshire. One of the first things on our to-do list was to visit my friend, Noreen, who I hadn't seen for seventeen years. We loved seeing her, and Katie loved meeting her!

I knew I loved Grammy Noreen before I even met her! 

Her cat, Moses, was pretty special too! 

I'm so glad we got to spend time with you! 

Peace Field

After visiting the first houses of the Adams, we took the trolley to Peace Field. After John Adams had spent time in France and became accustomed to a fancier way of life, he moved into a larger house with his family. Once again, we had such a good tour guide who was so excited by the history of the houses that she made us excited.

After going through the house, we went behind the house to the Stone Library. This library was the idea of John Quincy Adams, but it was his son who saw the project through. The library has more than 12,000 books in it including books from both of the presidents. We loved it!

I thought Peace Field was beautiful as we walked towards it! 

Our tour guide chose me to use the knocker on the door before we went in the house. I was pretty excited when she told me it was the same knocker that President Adams had used - just like me! 

After knocking, I was the first one in the house! 

This is the room where John Adams worked. He ended up dying in this room on the 4th of July, 1826.

I was excited as I walked towards the Stone Library. I wondered what it was going to look like. 

I loved this library! There were books on every wall from floor to ceiling.  

A lot of books had bookmarks sticking out of them. They represented places where artifacts had been found. Not long before we visited, part of George Washington's inaugural speech had been found that had been handwritten by George Washington himself!

Bye, Peace Field! I loved seeing you!

The First Houses

After leaving the church, we got on the trolley to visit the Adams' first houses. We were lucky to have such a good tour guide who taught us about John Adams' young years.

This was our trolley that I loved riding! 

While I rode the trolley, I looked at my new book about First Ladies' Fashions. 

This was the house where John Adams grew up.  

The house behind me was right next door to the other house. This is where John Adams lived after he got married, and this was John Quincy Adams' first house.