Thinking...

One morning the boys had a to make a decision together. They couldn't come to a conclusion, so they were sitting and discussing it while I got ready to go to work.

Can you spot Jack's thinking area?

 (Don't worry the bath was empty and he was fully clothed!)

My Tri-Athletes!

Recently both boys participated in the local kids triathlon. This was Sam's third time and Jack's first time. They both did really well...they finished it!!

Jack had all of his gear carefully laid out for his transitions.

First leg the swim...50 meters. It went OK...he got a foot in the face and the water was so cold it took his breath away. That happens in the swim race we told him.

 His transition went well, until he got on the wrong side of his bike while running it to the track. He actually reached over the bike to put the kick stand up with is hand and almost fell. Then, he continued to stay on the left side and unfortunately did wipe out in the transition area. There was a collective "gasp" from the onlookers. The mom in me went, "Do I go out and help him? Can I help him? Will he be embarrassed? Does he need me?" I walked toward him and yelled, "Are you all right?" Well, he was a trooper. He bounced back up and off he went. PHEW! 

 Last leg of the race was a half mile run. I could tell he was beat by now, but he did not stop once during his run! You can see his shoelace was broken at this point!

 Still looking storg while heading towards the finish line!

 Congratulations, Jack!! You did it!!

He finished 24th our of 48 athletes in his age group! 

That's a big number one in my book!

(so nice to see him without his hat on!)

 And then it was Sam's turn. 

He first swam 100 meters.

 He then had to ride the bike for two miles. It seemed like forever!! He must have be feeling pretty good, because a friend saw him on the course and Sam waved hello to him!

 Sam had to run a mile after all that other exercise! He, too, was a trooper! His legs felt like bricks, but he didn't stop once either!!

Sam finished 11th in his age group. 

Excellent work!

So proud of both boys!!

I was quickly informed that I was the only one in the family that has not done a triathlon. I have an odd feeling that statistic won't change anytime soon.

The Newest Member of Our Family...

Help welcome the newest member of our family...

Gilligan!

Jack soooo wanted a fish for his birthday and so Gilligan arrived to our house on July 18.He is a beautiful blue Beta fish. I was hesitant to put up any pictures of Gilligan because he wasn't the healthiest fish. He had fuzzy stuff on his face, wouldn't eat and would lay at the bottom of the tank - seriously.

 

I am happy to report, that nothing a little TLC from Jack wouldn't fix. We are happy to say that Gilligan has lost the facial fuzz, eating like a fish and swimming around and around. He's a fabulous addition to our family!

Outlander!

I am currently reading the book Outlander. While book shopping one day, I saw the book Written in My Own Heart Blood, read the back and mentioned to mom that this sounded good. She then enlightened me that it was a series of books and that this was actually the 8th in the series.

So after some research, I decided to start with the first book of the series, Outlander. It's a mere 850 pages long. I had plenty of time to start to read it on our vacation...with the three hour plane delay! I was instantly hooked.

Well, much to my sheer pleasure, after I started reading the book,  I then found out that the book has just recently been created in to a 16 hour show on starz!

The book starts in 1945, where Claire, a former combat nurse, is back from war and reunited with her husband Frank on their second honeymoon. She takes a walk through an ancient store circle and she is suddenly in Scotland in the year of 1743.

Here, she meets Scottish warriors and James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser, AKA Jamie. Lucky her!

 

Even if you haven't read the book, the show has been getting rave reviews and I would highly recommend checking it out! Even if the pilot doesn't catch your interest, stay with it...I am pretty sure you won't be disappointed!!

 

 

Vineyard Yummies!

I RARELY take photos of my food...untiiilllll I started taking a Amy tangerine class. It's all about getting inspiration from your surroundings to include in your scrapbooks! One week, Amy shared how to include food! So, I took it to heart what she suggested and now I have a boat load of food and drink pictures to share with you! 

I enjoyed a ice cold mug of beer at the Cheers bar in Boston!

 

Clam Chowder is a must on the east coast. We had chowder at Ye Old Union Oyster House. It is the oldest consecutive running restaurant in America!

 

Jason ordered some lobster pasta. The lobster was very creepy!

We couldn't' help but take a close up snapshot and send it to the boys!

The first night at Martha's Vineyard we went back to the restaurant we went to the first night of our honeymoon. We loved the lime beer! Still just as good!

My second favorite food on the east coast are warm lobster rolls. This one was cold, but I wouldn't think of sending it back!!

 

I have seen tons of these coffee pictures on instagram and always wanted one! Well, the Coffee Shop Behind the Bookstore served it up just like I have always wanted!  Love it!!

 

This is my first favorite food on the east coast...crab cakes!! To die for! I had a crab cake this afternoon and was in heaven!

I discovered Huckleberry Lemonade Vodka. Oh wow!

This WARM sautéed lobster roll made me want to stand up and clap, but the drunk lady at the table next to us was already doing that!

And we ended each night with a small, yes this is a small, ice cream cone!

 

I am glad that Amy tangerine inspired me to take photos of my food...but looking at the picture makes me miss it sooo much!

 

 

 

Part 2: Martha's Vineyard....

Fifteen years ago, Jason and I went to Martha's Vineyard for our honeymoon. Finally, after 15 years of talking about someday heading back to the island, someday came!

 

On the island there isn't anything commercial or chain to be found. No chain hotels, restaurants or Starbucks. Which is good...makes us get out of our comfort zone! We stayed in a great bed and breakfast. Our room is the top floor, on the left with the double balcony!

 

 Isn't our bed just the cutest thing!!

The entire time we were there, we never turned on the air! Which was fine, because we just opened the doors that lead to our balcony! All day, every day we enjoyed the cool ocean breeze!

 

This was the view from our balcony, looking over the harbor.

 

This is a shot looking down towards main street Edgartown.

Love!!

 

The first night was cold and rainy, so we headed to the local movie theater to watch the original Jaws! Why such the excitement? Jaws was filmed on Martha's Vineyard!! Eeeekkkk!!!

Next morning we headed to the Coffee Shop Behind the Book Store. That's the name of the little shop! See the tarps/shade/banners in the background? That is were we enjoyed our breakfast!

This is the Edgartown book store!

We took a lot of selfies or attempted selfies, I should say! this one is in front of the Edgartown lighthouse!

We did a lot of walking around the town and enjoying the local shops!

We went for a bike ride one day...rode from Edgartown to the next town Oak Bluffs. Jaws beach is in the background!

Jason actually jumped off the Jaws bridge!! Look at him go! I thought he was trying to touch his toes!

Can't beat this view while enjoying a local lobster roll or clam chowder!!

 

On our walk we found the bed and breakfast we stayed at 15 years ago. Our room was on the second floor on the right. Oh my. It was in amazing shape 15 years ago. I bit run down now!

Here's a close up of the room we stayed in during our honeymoon. Not so sweet now! Glad Jason and I haven't aged as much as this place!!

 

We would love to head back to the vineyard with the boys someday...I hope we don't wait 15 years!!

 

My Babies!!!

The other night I am sitting in my creative space, when suddenly the boys come plowing through the door with their football gear on.  OH MY!!!

NOT JACK!

This is Jack's first year with helmet and pads. He will still play flag football, but at his age they introduce them to gear. *sniff*  He's too young to be playing football!!

 

This is Jack when Sam got his helmet and shoulder pads for the first time.

 

He has grown up WAY to fast!

And talk about growing up WAY too fast, look at Sammy!

He has perfected his tough football look. I am lucky to get this picture. Jason told the boys to put on their gear and then go show me. Sam said, "I really don't want to do that...she'll make us take pictures!"

This picture cracks me up. Sam all tough and Jack giving a big cheesy grin!

Sam finally told Jack, "You have to look tough...like this!"

And then back to his cheesy grin!

Freedom!!

After our previous day adventures, Jason and I woke up early (because of the one hour time change!) and we were ready to take on the city!

We decided to experience some history and follow the Freedom Trail.

First picture opportunity...Ben Franklin.

We were instantly hooked at looking and experiencing history...along with one million other tourists!  Talk about crowded!! UGH!

Went to the oldest church in Boston, King's Chapel. The box pews are original...the sides are built high to keep worshipers warm in the winter!

This is the governor's pew, which George Washington sat at on a visit to King's Chapel. So Cool!!

Next stop, Park Street Church Burial Ground. There are several famous people buried and recognized here such as Ben Franklin's parents, John Hancock and Paul Revere. There are also memorials to Sam Adams and victims of the Boston Massacre. Is it me, or does the graveyard seem ....foggy?

We soon realized that we came to the start of the Freedom Trail..the start? Yea, we began the tour in the middle and actually worked backwards! Oh well. Perfect place straight ahead to get some lunch where everyone would know our name!!

 

A quick stop on the way back to our hotel. The Samuel Adams statue. I love how he is standing with one foot hanging over the edge. 

Right beside the statue was an amazing group of young fellows doing acrobatic tricks. Here one is flipping over five people! They really could work a crowd!

 

We headed to our room to clean up, get some dinner and head to the Justin Timberlake concert where I suddenly became a teenage girl again!!

Our seats were amazing for the concert.

I got goose bumps!!

 

Isn't he a doll?

Yummy!!

 

 The stage actually raised up and then moved to the opposite side of the Garden Center. 

I think he looks a little stressed here...I think it's because he can't see me! Don't worry...I'm right here Mr. Cutie!!

 

It was a great ending to our first official day in Boston!