Kelocity.com

A runner with an appetite for adventure!

I got the Bottom Bunk!!!!! July 26, 2011

Filed under: Family,New Hampshire — Kelocity @ 11:27 pm
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We had a nice time in my hometown, but we were pretty excited to head up to Lake Winnipesaukee! I grew up spending my summers up there, and it’s also where we got married. We absolutely love it up there and always try to get in as many lake days as possible when we’re home. My grandparents live up there in the summer too, so it’s nice to spend some time with them.

(PS, my grandparents read my blog so I have to say hi!!!)

Of course as soon as we got on the road to get up there, it started to pour! We were really hoping it would clear up by the time we got up there, the rain was coming down in sheets! Typical New England, right?
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But sure enough, as soon as we arrived, it cleared up! (Also typical New England!) We have arrived!
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Did you see that big boat in the background? That’s the Mount Washington and she’s a beauty. We love watching her go back and forth across the lake during the day.
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I say it all the time, but this spot right here is my “happy place”. If I only had this view for the rest of my life, I’d probably be ok with that. Something about this lake just gives me such peace and really restores my soul.
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It makes me so happy that I now get to share my favorite place with Irving. I’m so glad that he loves it as much as I do. We both practically jumped right into the water after saying hi to my grandparents! We couldn’t wait to dip our toes in the water and then dive right in!
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The rest of the afternoon was spent doing a lot of this:
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And then later, a little of this!
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I love playing Mexican Train Dominos with my grandmother. We pretty much played all kinds of games all week long, if that doesn’t scream summer vacation, I don’t know what does! I forgot how much I like it, I have to try to play more often at home.
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Around dinner time, my mom, sister and her boyfriend joined us at the lake too! We headed out to dinner up the road. Along the way, we stopped to look at the new “Monkey Trunks” playground they built nearby. Isn’t it cool? It’s a bunch of ziplines and high ropes and obstacle courses! It’s on my list of things to do for next time!
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For dinner, we ate at the Lobster Pound, a nice restaurant across from the beach.
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It was so fun chatting with my sister and Chris. We miss them so much!
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Mom and Daughter (with that fresh-out-of-the-lake hair!)
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I think Irving was drinking a blueberry beer that is so reminiscent of the east coast!
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Chicken Parm = my favorite meal!!! And don’t be fooled, this dish served me dinner and TWO people lunch the next day. It was Huge!!!
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Group shot!
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We were so stuffed, we decided to walk back to the lake house after. But first, a photo-session!
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And one with just the boys!
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When it got dark, my mom and I took a walk on the beach and Mikaela, Chris and Irving went off to play mini-golf up the street. (Yep, twice in a week, it’s crazy!) After a couple of hours, my mom and I went to investigate to see how they were doing. We caught them deep into a very serious golf game.

Pictures from earlier in the week for visuals!
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Apparently the stakes were really high. They were playing for a very important prize: who gets the bottom bunks. (You see, our lakehouse has two sets of bunk beds and since we’re older, the bottom bunks are very desirable!)
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In the end, Irving came in first, then Mikaela and Chris. I didn’t even play, so I automatically got 4th place (rude, right?)…. but then it came down to a rock-paper-scissors game. 4th place vs. 3rd place (which I won!)… and then there were two other rounds, no one would really explain to me what was going on, but I kept winning in rock-paper-scissors…. long story short, I got first pick in the bunk arrangements! Sa-weet!!!!!

Here’s the final standings! First place, baby! Of course I picked the bottom bunk! Irving got stuck up top. BAHAHA!
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Oh the hilarity!
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So many more adventures to come!

 

Babes in The Park

Filed under: Babies,Boston,Friends — Kelocity @ 8:33 am
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A couple of years ago, it seemed like everyone we knew was engaged and getting married! And now it feels like all my friends have baby fever! Each of my bridesmaids in my wedding has since had a baby and so many more of my good friends. It’s so exciting to see your childhood friends become moms themselves. So when we were home last week, I made sure to have plenty of time to get my fill of the little ones!

We organized an afternoon in the park, and it was SO much fun!IMG_6381

We miss these guys so much! They’re all getting SO big!!! Here’s Harper, Brady and Hudson! They played together all afternoon. It was so exciting to hold them, chat with the moms (and dads!) and enjoy the fresh summer breeze. I wish I had more time, I can’t get enough of them!
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Parents: This just in… Blue Duckies are the hot new item! The kids LOVE them!
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A few hours definitely wasn’t enough time, but I enjoyed EVERY second of hanging out with my friends! When I have kids of my own, I have plenty of experts to ask for advice! IMG_6401

XOXO, Love you guys!

 

My 7 Links – Kelocity Style! July 25, 2011

Filed under: Blogging — Kelocity @ 4:27 pm
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I got tagged by a couple of people for my "7 Links" post! Thanks, friends! Without further ado!

THE GOAL

To unite bloggers (from all sectors) in a joint endeavor to share lessons learned and create a bank of long but not forgotten blog posts that deserve to see the light of day again.

THE RULES

  1. Blogger is nominated to take part
  2. Blogger publishes his/her 7 links on his/her blog – 1 link for each category.
  3. Blogger nominates up to 5 more bloggers to take part.
  4. These bloggers publish their 7 links and nominate another 5 more bloggers
  5. And so it goes on!
  6. We’ll be sharing the best posts from participating bloggers on our blog and everyday on Facebook and Twitter at #My7Links

MY SEVEN

Most Popular: By far, my most popular post is my 2010 Nike Women’s Half Marathon recap. People find my blog everyday by searching for pictures of the coveted Tiffany’s Necklace you get instead of a medal! I’ve run the race 6 times and this year, I’m coming back for the 7th!

Most Beautiful: I’m a little biased, but I’m going to have to go with my wedding posts. Partly because the pictures come from a professional photographer, and partly because I was in the best shape of my life and the happiest I’ve ever been. I love my pictures!

Most Controversial: I was so nervous to post about my religious beliefs (or lack thereof). At first I was paranoid I was going to offend someone by writing it, but in the end, I realized that at the very least, maybe it would spark a good discussion.

Most Helpful: Um… That’s hard. I don’t know, maybe the post where I discuss the woes of shin splints? I sympathize with anyone who has them, so hopefully my tips will help someone else cope with them!

Surprise Success: My "How to Walk to Work" post was fun to write and people seemed to be interested in it. I actually wasn’t expecting that. Hooray!

Not Enough Attention: Truthfully, I don’t write a lot of posts geared towards the greater good of mankind. I’m mostly a "slice of life" blogger, and I use it as a public journal of sorts. But if I had to choose a post that I think is a fun read, I’d say my Catalina Island hike fits the bill. I actually wrote this post before I even had a blog, and it makes me smile.

Most Proud: This is actually a tie!

1.) I’m proud of my Travel Links. Every time I am feeling ungrateful or sad, I look at this page and it reminds me how many amazing opportunities I’ve had over the years. Traveling is so fulfilling to me. I am so lucky to have married a man who shares my passion. I hope this list continues to grow!

2.) And of course I’m super proud of running the Boston Marathon! (That link compiles all my Boston Marathon Posts together). Boston to me is the pinnacle of marathon running and I am so proud that I was able to finish. I was in the back of the pack, but I finished with a bigger smile on my face than any of the thousands of people in front of me.  I ran with the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team as a way to celebrate being 10 Years Cancer-Free!!
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And now… Here are the blogs that I tag (even though I’m probably one of the last people to do this "7 Links" post!)

 

An Adventure in Mini Golf

Filed under: Boston,Family,Friends — Kelocity @ 1:17 pm
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Last Sunday night, we joined my sister, Mikaela and her BF Chris and my mom for a night of mini golf! Kelley Pix (20)

The course was actually quite challenging and super fun.

The couples!
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Me and my mom!
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Sisters! Don’t you just love that classy “one leg up” pose? LOL
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I usually have a pretty good putt, but sometimes I just like to whack it and see what happens….. oops! Water trap!Kelley Pix (25) Kelley Pix (34)

I was more excited that my ball matched the flowers than playing the game itself. It’s the little things, right?Kelley Pix (36)

Chris got the only Hole In One of the night. He was pretty stoked.Kelley Pix (38)

He and Irving are so funny when they’re together. They were deep in a golf competition and they played by the rules 100%. I wish we lived closer so we could all hang out more often!
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After the game, Irving and Chris had to “go to the bathroom”… my sister snuck behind them because she had a suspicion that they were getting into trouble. And she found this! LIARS!!! Boys will be boys!
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They won enough tickets to get tootsie rolls and twizlers! Kelley Pix (43)

And of course, per mini golf tradition, we got some real new england ice cream at the end.

PS… This is a “Kiddie” size. No joke.  Can you imagine what the Large is like?!
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What’s your favorite Ice Cream? Although I love Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, my all time favorite would be Hoodsie Cups! You can only find them in Massachusetts! Sad!

 

A New England Garden Salad July 24, 2011

Filed under: Boston,Family,Food,Travel — Kelocity @ 7:42 pm
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Ahh! I miss my blog! We just got back from a whirlwind 9-day trip to New England. It was an awesome week filled with family, friends, sightseeing and a wedding! It feels like we’ve been gone for a month! My google reader has 250 unread posts, there are piles of laundry and mail to sort through and we’re tuckered out, but we wouldn’t have changed a thing, it was a fantastic trip.

Last Friday night (July 15th), we boarded a red-eye flight to Boston. I wish I could say I slept, but we had a stopover in Texas and I just couldn’t get comfortable. We made the most of it, and Irving even got some real Texas French Toast before our next flight!
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And then a few hours later, we were flying over Massachusetts! IMG_6317

We didn’t get to spend any time in Boston this trip, but it still excites me to see the skyline every time. Though I’ll probably never live there again, it still feels like home when I go back.
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As soon as we arrived, my mom and sister were excited to show off the vegetable garden they have growing in the back!
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My mom has been working really hard on growing a bountiful garden and this year, it really paid off. She waited til I got home to let me pick the first vegetables!!
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First up, raspberries! One in the bucket, two in my mouth. Delicious!
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Next up were peppers! Those are kind of expensive in the grocery store, I can’t believe these grew in mom’s garden! I always feel so lucky to know the taste of fresh-from-the-earth vegetables. There’s nothing else like it.
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There was even a banana pepper in there!
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Next was butter lettuce! “Pull em’ from the root” my mom said. Aye Aye captain!
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Today’s bounty!
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Sisters! It was so fun hanging out with her again!

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Clockwise…. Irving, Chris (Mikaela’s boyfriend!), Me, Mikaela… and Gizmo.

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Oh yea… don’t forget the herbs! Mint, Parsley and…. Rosemary?
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Of course we served our fresh garden salad with dinner! I love cookouts!
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Dining al fresco! So fun!
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And dessert was poundcake with berries (including our Fresh Raspberries!)
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Later, we had a campfire out back! I feel like this is the epitome of living in New England in the summer.
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I was the only one who wanted a s’more. Those guys are weird. YUM!
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Stay tuned this week for pictures from the rest of the week!

Do you live away from home? Living on the opposite coast from family is tough, but it makes going back all the more sweeter.