Gavin at 21mos old, reciting the Presidents.

This is my nephew Gavin when he was 21mos (he is now 3)- reciting the Presidents. I just learned how to upload videos to my blog, so I thought I would post this one since I am so proud!

My Niece

I have been meaning to post this picture forever! This is Gavin's little sister, 15-month old baby Ava, my little niece in FL.

My Wish List

Before we started house hunting, I wrote out a wish list of what we would be looking for in homes. 3 bedrooms, 1-2 bathrooms, a backyard, a laundry room (or at least somewhere to put a washer/dryer). I thought these were pretty basic... not asking too much. Boy was I wrong! While I can be optimistic and say that we have so much flexibility since we are not set on one specific town, I can also say... we have SO MUCH flexibility since we are not set on one specific town that I am driving ALL OVER MASSACHUSETTS trying to find the perfect place to live! Nothing has really seemed to be just right yet. While I can get over the horrific paint jobs, or the odd "built-ins" that these older New England homes seem to have, I hate to be picky with some of the non-negotiables.... like - enough room for your knees when you are sitting on the toilet! (my realtor posed for the photo shoot).

I know I have started to jump the gun- daydreaming of how to decorate our new home while we haven't even found one yet, but one of items on that list is to get a red couch. I am a bit scared to have that be a permanent decorating decision, so we decided to look for a red couch cover first. It's hard to find one that will fit a sectional! (It's hard to find a new home that will fit one too!). Any thoughts?

And of course, enough kitchen storage for all of our beautiful wedding gifts. I can't wait to unpack our china and our regular dinner dishes. Right now they are beautifully displayed on our make-shift china cabinets in our current dining room. (still in their boxes so they don't break when we move).

And of course- my never ending wish that my little devil dog wasn't so darn cute! Because I can never get mad & punish him when he does things like this......
...pulling the toilet paper from the roll across the house!

Coach & Mrs. Felix Mercado (and proud baby sable...not ours!)

Quick Visit to the Big Apple

This weekend was sooooooooo fun! Brown was playing water polo in NY so I decided to visit my friends in NY and watch a little water polo. Early (6am) Saturday morning, I dropped off Felix at Brown to meet the team in Providence before they took the team bus to NY, and then I drove down to New York in the Chevy to spend the weekend with Gina, Phil & Sable.

We met Felix & the team in NY and watched a couple of water polo games against St.Francis & Queens College. Sable was very stimulated with all the action, yelling & whistle blowing! Brown did a great job as well! They held on strong against St.Francis, and crushed Queens College!!! Meanwhile, Gina & I drove all over the place following the team and trying to find a place to park.

Felix giving the team words of wisdom.

Sable was so upset about the loss to St.Francis....we were so close!

After the games, Felix and the team went back to Providence, and I stayed in NY to hang out with Gina & Sable. We took a quick walk around the neighborhood, got some delicious pizza and some amazing desserts! Who could ask for a better night!!! I even got to watch Sable get a bath- and made a brave attempt at putting on her new diaper and stuffing her into her pajamas (I need a bit more practice!!).

Snuggling after bath time

Sunday morning I took Gina's step aerobics class before heading back to Boston. It was a great class, and brought back many memories of our early mornings spent in the gym in Gainesville at 6am on Mondays & Wednesdays!

Super Spectator!!!!

Oh, what a day! Beginning at 6am- I went to cheer on Kristy & Matt at their Triathalon (it did make me want to do another one.... but oh...the training.... ech). Then Kristy & I rushed over to MIT just in time to watch the Brown game. I tell you, it is just as exhausting being a spectator as it is playing the game!!!
Here are some pix from the game. Keep in mind... I really don't know what is going on half the time, but I will try to provide accurate commentary to the best of my ability.

Brown blocks the shot

I don't really know what's going on here.... who has the ball???At Brown's goal- Felix is sitting calmly in the back (a rare sight!), black shirt next to the ref in white
We shoot.....we score!!!!!!
Go Team!!!!

The Tri!

Today I watched our good friends, Kristy & Matt, compete in their very first Triathalon! After a grueling training period of just over 3 weeks..... these superstar athletes kicked bootie!!!!!!! I like to brag because I am so proud. Although, I don't like to train with them because
1)The competition is too fierce
2) Who am I kidding.... I couldn't keep up!

The happy couple- after the race

Kristy coming in off the bike
Matt runs in with a strong finish
And look at that beautiful stride!
Go Team! (no one told me we were striking a pose....)

More pix below.....

more triathalon pix

The happy couple, before the race

Kristy checking out the competition
Matt finishing 1st in his wave..... and beating the wave that started before him!
And.... Kristy doing the same!
Matt finishing the bike course... flying by on the bike

1st Game

Today was the first game of the season! This is the only picture I got of Felix talking to the team before the first game.... hopefully more to come tomorrow! I am a Super Spectator this weekend. All day today I was watching Brown water polo, and tomorrow I will be up at the crack of dawn to watch Kristy & Matt compete in their very first triathlon (yeay!!!), and then back home to watch 2 more Brown games. 'Tis the season!!!!!!!

The Office

looking into Felix's office....

The view outside of his office- leads to a common area in the middle, and at the far end is the entrance to another office.

The outisde of the trailer.

Yesterday we went to Brown to visit campus and see Felix's new office. Brown is in the middle of building a new pool, so for the next two years, Felix's office is in a trailer- although quite roomy!

While we were down south, we also met with a realtor to visit a few homes for sale. Thank goodness we have plenty of time to move, I think it is going to be a challenge to find the perfect home!