Monday, October 31, 2016

A lot packed into October!

We packed a lot into October and kicked it off running our first half marathon in New England.

Smuttynose half - Hampton Beach, NH:

Kristen: 1 hour 40 minutes

Chris: 1 hour 42 minutes

Love that we ran the race together… in the cold and rain. So worth it for the beer and lobster rolls at the end.

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So love the trails nearby… Lake Winnepseakee as my background.

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Rockport:

Biggest highlight for me: My parents came for their first visit after my Mom started dialysis a year ago. This was a huge trip for them and we had the best week exploring New England. We explored Cape Ann starting at the tip in Rockport and drove down the coast. It was fun to show my parents what we love about New England… (well New England when we aren’t in our fifth month of sleet and snow!)

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Rockport is one of my favorite port cities with quaint shops and restaurants…

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While my Mom was in dialysis, my Dad and I had some time to play… I definitely get my love of the outdoors from him… I love this time with him.

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We had to bring Bella to her favorite stomping ground… Crane’s Beach during dog season!

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Is an endless playground…

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For more then just dogs…

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We even got to explore some new trails in Ipswich…

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We explored Newburyport one afternoon and had lunch on the water…

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It was a bonus that we got to spend some time with my parents lifelong friends, The Hulmes having lunch at a seafood eatery in Seabrook that just happens to be where Chris worked as a young teenager.

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Then back on the trails again… one of my favorite after school activities with my crew.

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Three weeks after our Rockfest half marathon, we were back to training for the Newburyport marathon. I have the best running route!

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Which helped because Chris and I both beat our times by 8 minutes!

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Newburyport Half Marathon:

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Kristen: I hour 34 minutes

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Chris: 1 hour 36 minutes

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We wrapped up the month with some trick or treating… and yes, my costume came with some cheers!

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Friday, September 23, 2016

September is here already! Back to School!!!

Wrapping up Summer enjoying my friends boat… Kristen grew up next door to Chris and they have been life long friends since birth it seems. I got lucky with this as she rocks and has become one of my closest friends. We are so similar in so many ways than just our names…

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Last year of these two in elementary school together… Still cannot believe my Garrett is in 6th grade and Ayden is in 4th. Excited to kick off the year and get back to see their friends!

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Last year of middle school… I can’t stop time.

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Long before our Bella came into our life, we met so many people through their dogs. We have our favorites and Gracie is one of them. Gracie hugs and never forgets her best human friends.

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Bella is blessed with a lot of friends in our neighborhood and is loved beyond measure. It was tough having the crew head off for school… Bella sat out front all day waiting for them to come home.

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Sunday, September 11, 2016

Ayden turns the double digits!!!

 

I have never met anyone with a more fun loving bubblier personality. Having Ayden a part of our family is completely refreshing. She is always willing to try new things (other then rollercoasters) and I have rarely seen her without a smile. Being around this girl simply makes every day special.

Happy 10th birthday to my youngest love!!!

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This year she opened Ayden’s Salon out of the basement of our house. The salon has mani/pedi, massage & hair. Her business changed ownership after a couple of months to Ayden again where she took her business to a higher level. It is now called Ayden’s resort. At this “resort” you can get anything. She sells off various household items that I still use.. (lol) and even puts on plays in addition to all of the other services listed above. I am eager to see where she goes in life…