Bearfins in Rhode Island

Working hard in the snow

Antiquing in New England

New Bedford today where we found this playschool 'safety truck' and what's called a gossip chair (blue). Last week, John and grandma picked out that patchwork ottoman which they tirelessly restored to this present glory.

Oh and we did find a chaise but it was too big to bring home so pictures will come when we can haul it home!

Visiting the Bordens

Finally, our week was capped off with our first night away from Rhys at the most romantic place we could think of: The Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast, where the murders actually took place and the hotel is supposedly haunted all to hell.  I can't describe to you how unnerving (yet awesome!) this place was.  We had a 2 hour tour of the home including a reinactment of the gruesome murders, a midnight visit to the cemetary plot of all family members and a ouija board session led by the tour guide in which we supposedly contacted Andrew and Abby Borden as well as two other unrelated children that haunt the third floor (the floor with the most paranormal activitiy and the floor where we were to stay, alone).  I can't describe well the uneasy feeling or hour by hour freakout we had during the whole ordeal but suffice it to say, it was a thrilling getaway.

When we first got there, I had to take a little nappie after I was told the tour would be extending beyond midnight. This was disallowed by a wound up bear  who was ready to get to haunting. 

Actual Lizzie Borden outfit.

Haunted bookshelf.

Haunted kitchenware.

Haunted dining room table.

Me reciting "Little Hoot" from memory to the children that supposedly haunt the third floor.  Note the old ouija board I'm touching which apparently opens a portal if you do it yourself.  Happy to report, no open portal evidence thus far.

Haunted bed.

Reading to the Bordens.

Bleeding walll.

 
   
Haunted couch.

More Lizzie Borden clothing.

The basement where Lizze supposedly decapitated a cat when she was younger.  Hello, psychopath.

  

Her grave.  After the aquittal and later in life, she changed her name to Lisbeth Andrews but was buried along side her father, step mother and two sisters.

  
  

Newport

Continuing our day trips around the state, we hit up Newport on Thursday where we did a mansion tour, hiked the Cliff Walk, did the Belcourt Castle ghost tour! and had a charming Italian dinner before heading home.

The Cliff Walk -one of the many Newport Mansions.

Staring at the sea.

The ghost tour of Belcourt Castle was led by the woman who had lived there for 50 years and was quite the creepy experience.  The place was poorly kept up, adding to the haunted feeling and during the tour, several unrelated people swore they saw inexplicable things happen (bed comfortors flipping up, etc).  An excellent way to spend 2 hours.    
 

Block Island

Just a short ferry ride away is beautiful Block Island... a place that rivals Martha's Vineyard and the Hamptons in terms of beauty.  We followed our friend Vanessa's advice and took the hour long ferry there

 
  

 and rented bikes to tour the island.  Our first destination: Mansion Beach - a 2 mile bike ride requiring the navigation of a dangerous dirt road to a secret trail down to this pristine beach.

After several hour of beach lounging and ocean swimming, we resumed our bike ride through the rolling, idyllic countryside, stopping in antique stores and ogling mansions.

We arrived in the late afternoon at the Spring House where we were recommended to try drinks and appetizers on the lawn of their sprawling lawn.

 
Above, the view from our table. 

Block Island is one of the most amazing places either of us had ever been. Someday, we will return with the cub!
  

  
  

the grandparents visit!

Arriving from California driving Sara Pope's subaru outback across country, my parents were surprisingly calm appearing upon approach to New England.  They have spent the last few weeks touring the area as well as bonding with Rhys while John and I took some needed 'mini breaks' -day trips to various places.  More to come on these adventurous several weeks!

walking with dad

goodbye new york

don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

skateboard and sticks.

the weekly stay at home dads' outing

john's weekly outing with the nyc stay at home dads.  this time, they went to learn about positive discipline at a fantastic play place called appleseeds (or as john calls it, applebees).