Boston - Part 1

Ok this is your warning - get ready for LOTS of pictures over the next few days.  We had a really great trip to Boston last week and I can't wait to share all the pictures and fun.  We had been debating back and forth since about our 9th anniversary what we were going to do for our 10th anniversary.  Travel of course was at the top of our list (I really do think travel is my love language).  We had some differences of opinions on what to do.  Boston came up and it seemed like a great choice.  It really was perfect.  Lots of history but also very romantic.  

We left out late in the afternoon on Tuesday afternoon.  We flew through Charlotte airport and had to take a picture with this awesome jersey.  

 We got in very late (like 1 am) so all we did was get to our hotel and crash.  We woke up late on Wednesday morning.   (Nothing better than sleeping in!!)  We got our first glimpse of Boston from our hotel window.  It was just beautiful.

 Our big plan for Wednesday was to walk the Freedom Trail.  So we found the red line and started walking.

 The weather was absolutely perfect!!!!!  It was 68 degrees and sunny!!  There was a nice breeze.  It was awesome!!  We loved walking through the Boston Common.

 And seeing the Massachusetts state house!

 First stop was the Grannary Cemetery where we saw John Hancock's grave.  

 And Paul Revere's grave.

 Then it was back to the line (I sang "I walk the line" all day).  I had to ride the donkey statue.

 We saw so many beautiful churches.  It was really neat to look at their history.  So many interesting stories of differences between Puritans and Anglicans.  Denominational issues have been going on for a LONG time!

 The Old State House

 Paul Revere's house.  It was on a beautiful street in the East End.

 Balcony where the Declaration of Independence was read for the first time in Boston.

 Site of the Boston Massacre.

 We stopped for a bite to eat at a local pizza place in the East End.  We couldn't decide where to eat.  I saw some locals driving up so we decided to follow them and eat where they ate.  This is where they went.  It was awesome!!!

 Then it was back to the trail...  We saw the Paul Revere statue.

 And the Old North Church.

 Oneth by land and Twoeth by sea!!

 Then we headed across the bridge to finish off the Freedom Trail.

 We were excited to get to see the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides).

 The last stop on the trail was the Bunker Hill monument.

 And since walking over 3 miles wasn't enough we decided to climb all 294 steps to the top of the monument.  Lets just say we had sore legs for the rest of the trip.

 The view from the top was beautiful (but I'm not sure it was worth the climb).

 I don't know what I was doing here.  I'm sure it was funny.

 We then took the T over to check out the Boston Tea Party Museum.

Before we left on the trip we bought a Groupon from Finale bakery.  We got 6 desserts for 1/2 price.  It was awesome.  We took them back to our hotel and had 1 or 2 each night.

 We took a short rest back at our hotel before heading out for the evening.  One of my favorite thing about "big cities" is the amazing food.  We mainly just have chain restaurants here in town so it is always great to be able to hit local places with great chefs.  We ate so good the whole trip!  This was at Tremont 647.  It was AMAZING!!

 Then it was off to the main event for the trip.  Matt has dreamed about going to see John Williams direct the Boston Pops ever since I have known him.  When we started talking about going to Boston that was the only thing on his list of "must dos."  We looked at the schedule and saw that John Williams was conducting the day before we were supposed to get there.  We were going to be there during a salute to country music.  We decided to change up the dates of our trip just to see the Pops!!

 The inside of the concert hall is amazing!!  You get to sit at these little tables which is lots of fun.

 We were so excited for the program.  It was a "salute" to John Williams movie music.

 The program was absolutely amazing!!!  There are not words to describe. They ended the show with Stars and Stripes Forever.  Chill bumps!!   Matt was in awe (and so was I).  So glad we were able to mark this one off the bucket list.

So that is day 1 - ha!!  This is going to take a while!

Where In The World Is Team Gary?

Kelly and I are excited to formally announce a Team Gary project that has until today been going on in stealth mode.

One of my dad's co-workers initiated the fantastic idea to surprise my parents with photos of family, friends and co-workers showing support with "Team Gary" signs during their travels or from their homes. It has been amazing to see the outpouring of support over the past few weeks and we would love to capture that support in a visual way. People are praying for Gary across the country and globe.

We have secretly collected a starter set of photos which have been used to begin populating the blog www.teamgary.blogspot.com. Our goal is to gather photos of as many people and places as possible. If you know my parents, you know how much they love to travel. We hope this will allow them to see and visit places through the pictures.

Here are some of the initial "Team Gary" photos:

Here is what you need to do:


1. Make a "Team Gary" sign, snap a photo and send your submissions to morelandke@gmail.com or theeckleys@aol.com. Kelly and I will be posting the photos to the blog as we get them. Travel to exotic destinations is not required. Pictures from your own hometown or backyard are great too. Although we have considered embedding some competitions for most creative, furthest away, etc.

2. Subscribe to the blog (www.teamgary.blogspot.com) so you can keep up with the project status and see all the photo submissions.

It is our hope and prayer that the photos will be an encouragement to our sweet parents. In addition to the blog, we are planning to create a photobook for them with these pictures. So we want EVERYONE included (and if you travel a lot, keep the pictures coming).  Even if you don't know my parents personally this is something our entire family will treasure so we want pictures from any and everyone!!!

We can't wait to see "Where in the world is Team Gary?"

Love,
Emily and Kelly

Nashville Zoo

I am really behind on posting these pictures.  So much has been going on and I didn't get around to it.  A couple of Saturdays ago we decided at 9:00 am to go to the Nashville zoo.  We were out the door by 9:20 (I love having older kids to where we can do this because we don't have to pack up a bunch of stuff).  We had a wonderful day wondering around the zoo.  The weather was nice and we really enjoyed it all.  Kate's favorite animal was the giraffes and Ben loved the warthogs.  I of course love the flamingos.  Train and carousel rides were enjoyed by the kids.  The thing we love most about the Nashville zoo is the playground!  It is the best playground.  The kids loved every minute of it!  

After a fun day at the zoo, we headed over to a restaurant Matt has been wanting to eat at in Nashville called The Pharmacy.  They had the best burgers in a beer garden setting which is really neat.  We enjoyed eating outside.  

It was such a fun day and another big check off our list!

Father's Day 2013

Matt and I arrived home today from a fabulous anniversary trip to Boston.  I can't wait to share all our pictures and fun!  It really was a great trip and just what we needed.  

Because of the trip and all that has been going on Father's Day got a little forgotten.  I feel bad about it. No cards for any of the dads in our lives.  So sorry about that!!  Poor Matt spent the day travelling and washing clothes.  Not the best Father's Day.  We did get him a tie (although he picked it out and sent me the link to buy it).   We were reunited with our kiddos this afternoon after being away for 5 days.  The hugs we got from them were great gifts!  

First off I want to say Happy Father's Day to this amazing man!  Each and everyday I am awed by the sacrificial love that he shows to our family.  He puts our needs (and wants) above his own.  He leads our family to know God more each and everyday.  I love you Matt and am so thankful for you!!

 I got to spend a couple of hours with my sweet Daddy this afternoon.  He had his first round of chemo on Wednesday and has had a rough few days.  I know it was not easy for him to hang out with us this afternoon due to his pain but it meant so much to me.   That is the kind of dad he is.  I could write on and on about what all he has done for me.  He has been my biggest cheerleader over the past 32 years.  Not a day goes by that I don't think of something he has taught me or shown me.  The faith and courage with which he is facing this latest battle is such an encouragement to me.  I love you Dad!!

And finally my awesome Father in Law Mike (don't you just love this old school picture of Mike and Matt.  I just had to use it)  Mike is one of the kindest men I know.  Even this week he and Sandy stepped up and watched our kiddos for the whole week for us at the last minute.  That is not an easy thing!  He gives the best hugs.  I am also inspired by his passion for God's Word.  Love you Mike!!

Hope this makes up for the lack of cards and Father's Day fanfare.  I feel like the luckiest woman in the world to be surround by these great men!

10 Years

10 years ago today Matt and I stood before our family and friends and made a covenant before God. We promised to love each other and live our lives together just as Christ loves the church. What an amazing 10 years it has been since that day. There have been ups and downs- happy times and hard times. I have been thinking about all we have been through during this time. We have lived in 5 different places, had 6 different jobs, been to grad school and residencies and had  2 awesome kids. It really has been quite a journey. But through it all it has been amazing to do it with my best friend by my side. Happy Anniversary, my love!!