Meg Turns 40 and we get to go to see Jon Bon Jovi

As we talked about what to do for our friend Meg's birthday I will never forget the text from Kristen that said - how about we go to Bon Jovi??  Um, yes, Kelly even wrote back - be still my 8th grade beating heart!

So here we go - its a Wednesday afternoon -I am pretty sure I have told everyone I know that I get to see Bon Jovi (with only 999 other folks) Rebecca and my spinning friend Diana let me  borrow some great concert clothes - but I must admit - the concert T-shit is all mine - circa 2009!  With Chris in London

We drove down to Mohegan Sun together - this is the part where Kelly said....

Are we half way there??

Selfie stick action!

I had to get Kelly to wear the leather pants - if even just for a bit!

These ladies are ready to rock!

Here we go!

So technically we won a radio contact to score these tickets - Now I know why I never actually WON tickets when I tried on the radio.....

Apparently Jon and his crew had been rehearsing here for the last 2 weeks (who knew - I totally could have come help him with his song selections!!)  This concert was basically a rehearsal for his tour.  He was supposed to play for 45 minutes - 

We are NOT zooming in - we were 15 feet away - maybe!

I absolutely adore how he performs - 

I am confident that my dancing kept him on stage for 2.5 hours!

I tried to link our songs together. to include the one kept took of me dancing - yes, this is what I did the entire time....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgVN7VByr3E&t=105s

Just looking back at the photos I am honestly in awe that we got to go to this concert.  So few folks there yet he played like it was a full stadium.  He took time in between sets to tell us about his previous tour, a little about Richie and my favorite was when he talked about folks signing Living on a Prayer at the patriots game last weekend.

I honestly would LOVE to have a beer with this guy an ask him how the heck he survived the 80s - I mean they were rock stars and he has managed to keep entertaining and clearly loves it.  Loved looking up his family (yup, still married to his high school sweet heart and they have a daughter and 3 boys! - love that you don't really hear about them!)

Danced all night and had a delicious burger to end the evening.

Love waking up with the ladies - Kristen had a kick ass interval workout planned for us and than we got to shower up and find food!

Mimosa's all around

Some birthday celebration too

Kristen thought of everything to include wishing paper (we were almost a fire hazard)

A little gabling  - when in Rome right?!?!

Yes, this is Meg's Birthday - the youngest of our 4 some - finally she joins the ranks of being 40 - Thankful she had the day off and thankful we could shower her with love that day!  She is such a great REAL person that I an thankful to have in my life!

Happy birthday girl - way to rock out!!  Clearly 40 suits you well =)!

Afternoons with Nick

2 Thursdays in a row Nick had Drs. Appointments - I gotta admit - I kinda started to enjoy our lunch dates.  Even if it meant going to the Doc for a Physical or hitting the Orthodontist for an impression.  I could simply walk into CIS (where they raved about what a sweet kid he is...) ran him and head out for our mission. 

This one happen to start with a mouth impression - yuck (the other one he had to give blood for his 10 year physical - who knew?!?!)

Either way, it ended with lunch together at Taco Bell.  Love this time with you Nick!

And than there were 2 -

So while all my fitness stuff was going on - Chris was getting his fitness through demolition - In September we cleared 3/4 of the garage but really couldn't park a car in there.  

With the warm weather this weekend and the potential to have visitors in February it was time to rip off the bandage and get the garage done.  Chris always makes it seem simple when I know it really isn't - I ordered the dumpster - now that was simple.

Here is the fleet or cars ready to via for their spots

Had to take just a few things out of the garage first.

Always have to capture the boys trying to help - they think its fun, but when they realizing its really hard work, the efforts start to peter a bit.

This guys doesn't quit.

I got pulled away from demo for a brief bit to run technical support for my Florida folks.

That evenings - guess what found her way into the garage?!

Can you believe even the truck makes it in??

I know Christmas is over, but this just may be the greatest gift!

They sleep inside tonight - 

Crazy to think we are getting used to using a garage - crazy how awesome they are!

Fitness Bug

I have always enjoyed fitness and teaching brought it to a new level to me - but it takes time - to plan the songs, be inspirational (or at least feel that way)  With Jill battling cancer once again and Nathalie out with a hand surgery - I had to pick up my game a bit.  It was rewarding and a bit stressful at times.

This Saturday Jan 7 we had a cycle out cancer fund raisers - it was one of those times that were truly rewarding for me.  I taught at 12 to a full house from parents to kids - 

I got to join into a great class taught by Beth

BY 8 that evening the snow was falling really hard and we wondered if anyone would come to my 8pm class.  Chris was supposed to come, however last minutes mr Drew proved to still be a little sick, so he had to miss out - turns out I had 8 Avon Dad's some that had never been to a spin class - all supporting a family in Avon who's child is battling cancer.  Amazing to have them in class and yes, i will never forget them singing to Kelly Clarkson with me

Can you believe the following weekend was another HUGE fitness event - 

Body Pump released #100 translation for all your non pumpers out there - they have been creating this program for 25 years!  

I feel in love with it back at Golds Gym in Austin (circa 2004)  Got certified in 2010 while living in Germany - (we practiced in my living room using broom handles - oh the days!) and love the strength it brings to your body!

Here we are at Zoo Gym - part of the global release - 100 Strong

Loved teaching with my instructor buddies - Krista really covered down in so many ways while Nathalie and Jill were out - she got certified and started teaching almost instantly - cool story, she just moved to Ireland where her boyfriend lives and is inventing herself there!  Greatly missed at the gym!

Here we are pumpers!

Skiers

Lots of this!! and its only the beginning of the season -

All the time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoLuNSfc9kA

We are trying to get into a good routine of going Sunday and Thursday evenings after the groomers - so spoiled living this close to the mountain

Drew at school

With the second half of Kindergarten in fill swing, I an thankful to have some time every week Drew's class to be a part of how he is doing.  I volunteer for writers workshop - which honestly it blows my mind that they do writers workshop in kindergarten.  I see and completely understand the frustration of little ones trying to sound out and write words!!  I know they have to do it at some point.  But geesh!!  Thats why I LOVE seeing photos like this - of Drew with petting a Corn snake - Now THAT is kindergarten!

The sweet girl Seraphina in his class that he often gets paired up with.

Love that they get to do things like this!

A little story time with Canton school celebrities too.

Drew you are growing up so fast, I know its hard - matter of fact, I had to get on the bus the other day to give Nick a snack he forgot and all those childhood memories came back.  Good ones of course - but it was such a great reminder to ME of all THEY do all day.

Our swimmer

This guy opted for Swimming this winter - not interested in Basketball.  So twice a week we head to the Granby YMCA - Chris often works out or takes the kiddos on the climbing wall while Nick swims.  He is doing great and I love hearing about him meeting new friends along the way.  To include a little guy Cameron (who remembers his goggles more frequently than Nick!)  His favorite races are still the 100IM, 50 Fly and 50 Free

In case you were curious how long a swim meet takes - I would say about this long.....  I wasn't even there the whole time as I showed up a bit late from spin - and they whole other team wasn't there as... yes you guessed it, it was snowing!!  Nick did great!

Captured a race for us to remember =)!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmjxNGYpDFA

New Years!

Its New Years Eve and although we had thought of enjoying it on the couch, we figured lets see what Ski Sundown is up to - perfect place for this family on New Years.

nothing like some burgers, fries and a beer to say Happy New Years!

Loved that they had a fire going for us and that we even got to see the Cravanzola's real quick before they headed to their New Years bash

Something to consider for 2017 - I hope to slow things down, create space in our everyday - wether it be to declutter our home or declutter our minds and hearts.  I would love to make space for people, time and experiences.

Clearly Nick was starting the year learning to snow board with Dad - having tried snow boarding a couple of times, I have to give Nick HUGE kudos for seeing the light at the end and being able to keep up after all the falls and frustration (that he NEVER complained about!)