Internet issues

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I won't be able to blog for the next few days. It seems we don't (and haven't had Internet for the last 3 days) in our apartment. This will be fixed in about a week. I am currently doing this post from my iPhone! I'll catch everyone up on our happenings soon!

Easter 2011-Boston Style

Today was Easter. Boy, do I feel blessed! Since it's Sunday, I'll start this blog with my training update. I just finished week #5. It was another hill run. I ran 5 miles, 3 of them were serious hills. I was originally planning on running them on a treadmill at the gym. But the weather today was BEAUTIFUL! I had to run outside. I don't love hills, but I LOVE outside running. Fresh Pond was so crowded. It was awesome! I saw all kinds of people. It was an amazing run!

5 miles done! (3 miles hills)

Now on to the good stuff, the kids! What's Easter, without kids? I'm not sure, but I don't want to be a part of it. The kids have had probably one of the best days on the calendar, today. It started bright and early this morning. We could hear the kids talking in their room about it being Easter. About 10 minutes later, they wandered into the living room and saw the baskets that were left by the bunny. Let me just say, the bunny did AWESOME!

Owen and his loot.

He is putting the legos together by himself.

Allie and her basket-o-goodies.

Our friends, The Beans, invited us to an egg/candy hunt at Owen's school play ground. Allie was eager to get her Easter outfit on. I can't believe how big she looks.

She's READY!

My angels in their matching outfits.

(I wonder how many more years I get this?)

This is the crew at the play ground, waiting to go hunt treats.

With Jaelyn's hair, she looks taller than Owen!

Team Work! Owen found them, A.J. could reach them!

The Crew with their haul.

They had such a good time!

After the hunt, the kids played at the Bean's place. So Jake and I went to lunch, just the two of us, at this new place. It was PERFECT!

This is them getting settled, before our "lunch date".

After lunch, we went and picked the kids up and went to Harvard Square to see the movie, Rio in 3D. It was so much FUN!

How cool do we look?

We ate dinner at IHOP, a favorite of the kids. Talk about a FULL DAY! Finally, I want to add that after looking at the calendar, we have only 9 WEEKS left in Cambridge. But don't fret, we have lots of tasks and sites to see before we return to Kansas.

Zann-adu!

They say a "true friend" will go the distance for you. This can be taken several ways. But this past weekend, my friend Zann flew +1600 miles to visit me in Cambridge! It was so MUCH fun!! I've known Zann since high school. That's over 20 years! When we were together it was like time didn't change us at all. We had our picture taken and Zann said, " We look just like we did in college." I happen to think we look GREAT! It was a short visit, but we packed enough in it to last until we get together again. Which I'm betting will be soon! :)

Sports Weekend

Jake was on vacation this past week and we had our friends visiting us, so that means busy... busy... BUSY! Jake and Steve got to go to the Celtics game 1 of the playoffs on Sunday night.

View from their seats.

Monday was the Marathon, so my boys went to the Red Sox game. They took our friends and had a blast.

Owen and daddy before the game.

I wish I had taken more pics, but like it said earlier... we were BUSY!

Training-Week 4

Me (and Jake) after our 9.5 mile run.

This week I ended my training with a 9.5 run. Lucky for me, I got to run it with Jake. (See photo above.) Our friends the Bakers are here, so Steve ran with us too. Thank you so much Patsy, for watching the kids for us. Jake realized during the run that the last time him and I ran together was my first day in Boston back in August. It was misty outside, but not too cold. We ran along the Charles River, then crossed the Mass Bridge. Back up the Charles River and over the Harvard Foot Bridge, then home. I felt good about the run. I felt even better after I showered and ate a breakfast sandwich that Jake made me. :)

Bakers in Boston

Steve and Patsy

Yesterday our good friends, The Bakers, came to visit us for the next few days. They have a friend running in the Boston Marathon and came to support him. Lucky for us, they came early to hang out! This is going to be a FUN WEEK!!!

I Scream, You Scream, We ALL Scream... iPad!

I have always been reserved when it came to spending money on myself. So when my WONDERFUL husband informed me that a FedEX guy would be bringing me my new iPad 2, I was blown away! A few weeks ago, I got this.

I almost hugged the guy!

Jake even ordered me a pink magnetic cover for it. But I am very protective of this elaborate toy. A friend of mine sewed a cover for hers and offered to sew me one. But I was too impatient and too sensitive that something bad would happen to it. So I did the next best thing. I got on etsy and found a woman in California who makes the PERFECT bags for iPads. I ordered the ideal one for me and it arrived 4 days later.

This is the outside of it. Notice the front zip pocket for the cables.

The inside print is so "happy".

I LOVE MY iPAD!!!

Boston Marathon Madness

The Boston Marathon is in 1 week and the madness has already begun here. There are signs hanging all over the streets, buildings and subways. The one below is our favorite, because that was Jake this winter (not training, but running to and from work).

Jake wants to get this poster for our workout room.

As you can see, the poster is selling New Balance shoes. They have made a special edition of running shoe. The New Balance 890, they only weigh 8.7 ounces. It even has the word Boston on the side of them (they come in cool colors too). Jake has had his heart set on getting a pair, so this afternoon we went to the Marathon Sports Store down in Boylston to get a pair.

Bag from the store.

Jake tried them on and said, "I'll take them. They are so light." I got to thinking, even though I just bought a new pair of shoes, it would be cool to have a pair for when I run the Chicago Marathon. Lighter=Easier (RIGHT?) So I asked the person working there if they had them in women's size 9. They did, I tried them on and bought them. THEY ARE SO LIGHT! It's like wearing foam sandals from the pedicure spa.

Aren't they cute? You can make out Boston along the heel.

BM Finish Line on Boylston Street.

As we were leaving we realized that the finish line is right outside the store. So you know I had to take a pic of it. This place is going to be CRAZY next week! Good Luck, to all those that are running it!!

Training-Week 3

Today's training run was 5 miles, 2 of those miles were hills. The hills were a little challenging, but I'm going to be getting better at it. Then I ran 3 miles on slight incline. When I started mile 3, I thought I would see if I could run a really fast 800. I made it at 8:34 pace!!! And it didn't kill me!!! This training is kind-of fun... for now.

Contentos in Cambridge

Vito and Christina

Yesterday, the Contentos were in town visiting us. It was the first time the kids had met Christina. We walked to Harvard Square for a little candy shopping and some burgers at Mr. Bartley's.

The boys with their hats, after lunch.

After an amazing lunch, we walked up to Cambridge Common Park. The kids played for an hour, while the adults visited. Then we took a little break/nap (Vito) before meeting again for dinner. By the time dinner was done, so were the kids. So Jake took them home for bedtime routine, and I got to take the Contentos to North End for dessert.

The skyline on our way to dessert.

Yep, you guessed it. We went to Mike's Pastry.

The line at Mike's Pastry. Yeah, it was worth it!

It was a long day, but perfect in every way. We don't get to see Vito very often, but it's always same every time. GREAT! We already miss him. I'm hoping they make their way to Kansas some time for a visit.

Red Sox Nation

I would never consider myself much of a sports fan. I liked watching football in college (Kansas State) and every now and then I'd think it's fun to try to pick who will win the Super Bowl. But I'd get interested in these events because of the vibe around me. In college, everyone made a big deal about tail-gating and post game celebrations. In January, people are always trying to out-do the year before Super Bowl Party. So as those around me got jazzed about a game, I became jazzed.

Now, I live in Boston. Home of the Red Sox. I couldn't tell you the name of a single player on the team. But I know where Fenway is. I still don't understand lineups, designated hitters, relief pitchers, etc. But I know all the words to "Sweet Caroline". The people of this town are borderline "insane" when it comes to this team. But all that energy is contagious, especially to me. I'm not sure I'll ever really understand baseball... but I will now (and probably forever) be a Red Sox Fan.

Lights! Camera! Action!

Today was Owen's first school program. The first grade (both classes) were putting on a "Revolutionary" Program. It was a mix of songs and skits. Owen was one of the lucky ones to receive a speaking part. He was the ship's captain. He stole the show! I was busy (trying) to record the whole thing on my camcorder. Allie was also trying to help, by taking pictures with my camera. Needless to say, I have about a dozen fabulous pictures of the the backs of heads from the people sitting in front of us. :) I did man my camera after the program for the post-program party.

Owen in his costume.

This is Owen's class. Owen is on the end at the right.

This is most of the boys.

Yep! He's winking at you, Ladies!

Proud little sister!

I'm going to try to upload the video to YouTube. If it doesn't work, remind me when we are together and I'll show you the program. For a first, it was a show stopper! But then again, I might be a little biased! :)

Sunday can be a "walk through the park"

When the sun is shining, there really is no excuse to NOT have a picnic at a park. Yesterday, we packed our lunches and headed to a play ground I know of. It was so much fun! Just see for yourself.

I can't wait for the sun to be out more. And neither can the kids!