Elizabeth and I travelled to Boston a couple of weeks ago to visit MIT. This was the last school Elizabeth needed to visit before making her decision on where to go to college.
Unfortunately, it started off rather bleakly when our plane out of Tucson had mechanical problems! We thought we wouldn't get to Boston, until Friday night. Too late for the tour, classes, Institute, etc. After talking, and talking, and talking to several ticketing agents, and then going on standby on one plane, we arrived in Boston at 9:30 Friday morning, with only 3 hours sleep! Whew! We were able to make the 11:00 tour, and let Elizabeth go to an
Astrophysics class. (She loved that class! Crazy Woman!) We also went an
LDS Institute class. It was phenomenal! (Cute boys too.) Overall Elizabeth's impressions were favorable. The biggest problem was finding your way around campus where the buildings all run into one another. They are all named by numerals (Building 6, Building 22, etc.) but they aren't all in numerical order! HUH?!? We wandered around for a while trying to find the Institute class in Building 11, only to find out there are two Building 11's. How confusing! The picture above is of the famous MIT dome. This grassy area is where many
activities are held, including graduation.
Elizabeth wasn't sure she liked the subways at first...but she seemed to get used to them by the end of our trip.
Saturday we set out to see the sights of Boston. It was COLD! and RAINY! Here we are in front of Paul Revere's house.
A bell made by Paul Revere.
If you look towards the back of this picture you can see the North Church where the lanterns were placed at the start of the Revolutionary War. The steeple blends in with the clouds.
Elizabeth by the Boston Harbor. It was
sooo cold, right after we took this picture we headed right for Starbucks for some hot chocolate.
We had to stop by Boston Commons to see the "Make Way for Ducklings" statue!
Unfortunately, the swan boats were not running because of the weather.
We took a tour of the Freedom Trail. I learned so much about American History. Its fun to walk the places you have only read about in history books.
We stopped by Quincey Market for dinner. Yummy clam chowder. These street performers outside of
Faneuil Hall were so fun. They juggled knives, hats, juggling pins....everything.
Here are Elizabeth and I in Cambridge where we spent most of the day Sunday.
In front of the
Stata Center at MIT. (Looks like Dr. Seuss designed it.)
The view of downtown Boston from MIT.
Several
LDS students get together on Sunday afternoons to make dinner for each other. They invited Elizabeth. What fun! We were able to see some the dorms, and Elizabeth was able to ask all the questions she wanted about life at MIT.
So what was the final outcome of all of this? .....
Elizabeth has chosen to go to MIT!
Elizabeth graduated from Empire High School last night, May 26, 2010. 
Elizabeth was the Salutatorian for her class!
Here she is giving her speech. Click on the video below to see and hear the whole thing!
The celebratory dance!
You made it Elizabeth!
The Henderson clan came to help us celebrate!
The tears here in Anne's eyes broke my heart. What close sisters these two have been. From teasing each other, singing together, translating hilarious Spanish stories, and of course the occasional fight, they have always been right there for each other. It will be hard for them to be apart!
Charlie and Izzie got tired of the hugging, picture taking, crying etc. They decided to have a little race around the track!
Elizabeth, as a mom I am soooo proud of you! You have done great things so far in your life. I'm excited to see what comes next. California and Boston seem so far away..... I will miss you terribly. Always remember how much your family loves you! We will miss you at every dinner, family scripture, and Family Home Evening. We will also miss your piano playing, your crazy driving, and help when it comes time for everyone's math homework. We will pray for you every day. Keep up the good work. You are a beautiful young woman!
