May Update with some horse racing! May 2017!

Kentucky Derby!!

Louisville, Kentucky

Checked off our bucket list… Amazing long weekend spent celebrating one of my closest friends 50th birthday and a much needed weekend away sans kids with my hubby.

Did not realize that the horse races were run over two days. The Longines Kentucky Oaks is held on Friday. It is at these races that the old fillies (female horse) run. The winning filly is awarded a garland of lilies, appropriately named “lilies for the fillies.” This is the fourth highest attended horse race in the United States - following the Triple Crown or racings; the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. During Kentucky Oaks Day, the track is decorated in pink bunting and the guests are asked to incorporate pink into their attire in an effort to drive awareness to the fight against breast and ovarian cancer. The Oaks official flower is the stargazer lily. I got to taste a Mint Julep but have to admit, Grey Goose’s Oaks Lily was my Go-To drink of the day.

The Kentucky Derby winner receives the red rose garland,. This is the official flower of the Kentucky Derby and is the source of the nickname, “Run for the Roses.” The attire for this race is more flexible as there are no color requirements. Although, I was told to wear a simple dress so as not to take away from my hat.

Triple Crown Winners

The Triple Crown is a series of three thoroughbred horse races for three-year-old horses, which take place in May and early June of each year.The Triple Crown of horse racing is considered the most difficult accomplishment in horse racing and possibly all of sports championships. The grueling schedule requires a three year old horse to win the Kentucky Derby, then two weeks later win the Preakness Stakes and then three weeks later win the Belmont Stakes. In all of racing history, only twelve horses have won the Triple Crown, the last been in 2015 by a horse named, American Pharoah.

Once Home: My errand pals! Missed these two girls and I think the feelings were mutual as they were willing to run errands with me all day!

My track Star: Garrett running is heart out in the mile!

Orthodontist kick off… Phase One: The Retainer!

Cannot believe the choses they get… flavors for impression and color choices for retainers - What next??

Family Field trip into Boston

Nailed it!

Falling off the Freedom trail…

We even got to tour some of the fire trucks on our walk to China Town!

China Town, Boston!

Can’t be in China town without our signature “chinese” photo opportunity!

Finding some cool building art while being in search of the best dim sum!!

Couldn’t resist taking this photo on our walk back to North Station.

You know it is summer when the top comes off and my chauffeur is always up for a ride!

April Update -- Spring Spring is Sorta here...

Happy Easter from my little “believers”

The annual Easter Egg hunt is about to begin and I have a hunch I know who is going to gather up most of the eggs!

Bella is conserving her energy for the upcoming hunt!!

and they are off… this is the first year we haven’t had to do a staggered start.. although, after looking at this picture, I am wondering if Bella clearly understood the rules of the hunt…

I have been in preparations all month shopping for our upcoming Kentucky Derby weekend. This is my first year experiencing the Kentucky Derby and I am lucky to have a fashionista stylists in my family. Both Ayden and my sister, Jennifer, have been outfitting me. My Mom gave me this special hat that Ayden LOVED and looked smashing in although it was a bit too fragile to bring on the plane with me.

Cape Ann Tour: Fun Family Field Trip Sequel

Went back to one of our favorite towns to tour around today.

Rockport

One of the most beautiful New England coastal towns. It is located approximately 40 miles northeast of Boston at the tip of the Cape Ann peninsula. It is directly east of Gloucester and is surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic Ocean.

http://www.seecapeann.com/see_rockport.html

I absolutely love this landscape on Bearskin Neck in downtown Rockport…

It is here where the famous “Motiff #1” (the red lobster shack) is located. It is one of the most painted and photographed scenes in America. The lobster shack is no longer in use, but is kept up as a town symbol. During the blizzard of ’78, it was knocked into the harbor, but was rebuilt as you see it today.

The Carey girls! (Minus Bella)

although Rockport is very dog friendly. Every shop has a water bowl out front! My kind of town!

We love walking on the jetty…

April showers brought keeping it cozy in Ayden’s Cave to read …

Bella is everyones best friend! Our life is so much richer with her in our world.

One of her favorite things to do is “go for a ride” — it doesn’t matter what she rides in or on…

My two pals picked me up from an adult play date with my friend…

Love that summer is around the corner and the final wrap up of school is underway.

Life is GOOD!

March Fun and Shamrock Shakes! 2017

Cranes Beach, Ipswich

This landscape never gets old, but is especially refreshing after a long winter of snow and high wind. We have only a few short weeks left to run with Bella on the beach and we are taking advantage of every last day. We have met so many two and four legged friends here over the course of the past several months.

She has met more then just other dog friends at our beach… but can’t say the horses are all that enamored by her love for them.

A quick snap shot of my girl… always up for a photo opportunity and rarely without a smile!!

March 17th TRADITION!

McDonalds: Shamrock Shake

Can’t post this month without a few pictures of our sweet Bella!

Don’t let this sweet innocent face fool you… she ate all of my tulip bulbs moment before this was taken. How can you not forgive those eyes!

Family fun walk in our backyard… Bella’s favorite time of day! (and mine)

You never know what you are going to find in the snow…

Looking forward to the snow melting… and for spring to arrive!