Cape Cod

After our hectic six weeks, we took a much needed vacation to Cape Cod.  Our plan was to have no plan and unplug.  It was glorious.  Our neighbors across the street whose last name just happens to be McNamara, if you can believe it, own a place on the cape and let us use it for a long weekend.  It was still beautiful weather at the end of September and we enjoyed each others company, games, the beach, miniature golf and whatever else we felt like doing in the moment.  On our way back we stopped in Newport, RI for a night.  I'd never been to Rhode Island and Tony's mom was born there so we decided to visit.  It was a nice coastal town famous for mansions that look like the American versions of Downton Abbey.  The kids were great and we all had a fun time.  My favorite parts were running on the beach, playing at the beach with my kids, and unplugging.  It's amazing how much time you have when you don't feel the need to check Facebook or blog.  Ahem.

Helping mom pack

This is how we play ping pong, chase the ball on the table and try to eat it.

The Breakers: one of the Newport mansions

13.1 baby!

Two days after Tony's pinning, I did something I N E V E R thought I'd do.  I ran 13.1 miles.  Literally, I did not stop once.  I had planned to stop and walk a couple times, but on the day I had so much energy and felt so good and feared that if I stopped I wouldn't start again.  It was an experience of a lifetime, I felt so much pride in myself and how far I have come in my health journey.  I ran it 15 minutes fast than my goal and wasn't even sore the next day.  I amazed myself.  I'm sure I will do another, but doubt I will become a half marathon maniac.  And I have NO desire to run any further than that.  I was also one of the few nerdy cool people to wear a costume.  Yep, I rocked it!

Hail to the Chief!

No, I'm not referring to our president, but my hardworking husband who was pinned Chief Petty Officer of the US Navy on September 13.  Previous to the ceremony, he (we) went through 6 weeks of extra training and events.  Tony's job is one of head down and power through with precious little positivity in the day to day.  It was wonderful to attend the ceremony and feel pride in the job and see my husband be honored for the stellar guy he is.  My mother in law flew out to surprise him and surprise him she did, especially when he came down the stairs in the morning in his underwear. :)

And we're off to the races again!

In August, we had the great pleasure of a visit from Uncle Chris.  We are super grateful that his job takes him to our neck of the woods.  Along with quality Uncle time, we took our annual (and last) trip to the Saratoga race track.  "Go, horsey, go!"