October Road Trip

We stayed at a navy lodge on Staten Island and enjoyed viewing the Statue from the ferry. Times Square had great energy and bustle and we loved the view from the top of Rockefeller Tower.

Family Gathering

It's great to be on the same continent as family again. Tom's Aunt Carolyn (Roachie) and Uncle Bob came with  Katie and Brian (Tom's cousins). Katie's sons Andrew and Jake and Brian's son Ryan were all very sweet to energetic Lucas and Hailey. We enjoyed a wonderful seafood lunch, a  portion of a USCGA football game, and a trip to the Groton Submarine Museum. Thanks for making the effort and the trek from western Massachusetts!

More in September

We had to pony up and get a mini-van! It's much cooler than we expected and we've been enjoying all the technology and comfort it has to offer.

Amy's best pal Amy and her daughter, Sophie, came for a visit. Lucas and Hailey loved practicing how to be a good big brother or sister. Amy helped with some house projects and her husband Rick even popped in for an overnight while on business. Mystic Pizza (in Mystic, CT) is still awesome as ever.

It's wonderful to be close to the beach, we've enjoyed many quick visits to dip our toes in the water, build a sand castle, or hunt for sea glass.

September 2011

Soccer season was fun with Dad as the coach and Lucas and Hailey making up nearly a quarter of the team!

School is finally in session...

Last week the hurricane/tropical storm left a path of destruction- surprisingly, we were NOT one of the 700,000 who lost electricity for hours-days at a time. Thanks to all that helped removed the big trees and branches. We were pleased to have Poppa and Grammy's help as well. They weathered the storm with us- thanks for helping Tom take care of the fallen trees and for cooking a delicious dinner with Hailey's help as well.

Lucas bounded down the stairs fully dressed with backpack in hand ready to go at 7:26 this morning. The school bus picks them up at 8:55. Hailey's first day started out a bit slower and with a few more costume changes...Needless to say, they are off to the races and happy to be there.

 

By the way...we've recently learned 

that we're expecting a GIRL!

Summer Fun

We have missed the beach, but are making up for it. Swim lessons in Holland have definitely paid off! We got our "fast" shipment (8 weeks, versus the expected 4) from Holland today and expect the rest before the month is over. The house is grand and school starts next week- hooray!

Spring/Summer 2011

Our final months in Delft were well spent. Kids had great success in school, swim lessons, soccer, and, most recently, a local 1 K race. We enjoyed farewell parties and will always be grateful for the friendships we made here. Tom will return a few more times until he's granted the Phd. In the mean time, the writing has been going very well. In other news, we leave Holland with a pretty terrific souvenir- we've got a baby on the way (just one) due at the beginning of 2012!

Barcelona, Spain

After living in Europe for nearly three years, we've seen A LOT of churches. The stained glasses, gold-encrusted statues and alters, and vaulted ceilings all paled in comparison to what we beheld at the Sagrada Familia. The architect mastermind, Antoni Gaudi, designed this building but did not live to see it's completion. It is still being finished, but inside and out, it is fascinating. The balance of light, color, and inspiration from nature makes this structure a magnificent place to explore.

Tiny Dancers

Pictured above is my older sister, Becky, and I (age five) before my first dance recital. I'm on deck to teach Hailey's class again this week...she's still loving ballet, hooray!

School Pictures

The 2011 results are in...

A Healthy Wager

My sisters and I have challenged one another to get healthy in 2011. In order to motivate and hold ourselves accountable, we are throwing some change into 1 or 2 pots each day: "WAY TO GO!" and "UH-OH!" Each goal is worth 25 cents- if you complete the goals of the day, 25-50 cents are added to the "WAY TO GO!" jar. If you do not complete one or both goals of the day, the change is added to the "UH-OH!" jar. We rest from exercise on Sunday. The one with the MOST in the "WAY TO GO!" jar WINS the change in everyone else's "UH-OH!" jar. The challenge lasts for 50 days and we start today!

They've done the research (thank you) and I feel like shedding some inches and taking better care of myself, so I'm actually excited!

Here are the goals:


(Diet) "The 7-day Low Carb Rescue and Recovery Plan" (book written by Dr. Rachael F. Heller and D. Richard F. Heller)- Eat a low carb veggie and protein before eating any carbs, and reduce carb intake


*I've added NO eating after 8 pm and drink 8 glasses of water/day

(Exercise)- Exercise a minimum of 10 minutes per day, and at least 30 minutes 3 times per week