Newport RI 13th anniversary trip

My first time up to New England and I got to go to Newport, RI which did not disappoint. I had heard from a couple of different sources that Newport was a beautiful place to visit and there were old houses to tour. It sounded like a wonderful place to visit without children so it became our destination for our 13th anniversary trip.

We are so blessed to have Grandma E. fly across the nation to watch our boys while we took a few days to get away. It was hard getting out the door but a much needed relief from the stresses of arguing with the landscaper, PTA, church, job, and family. 

We set off on a trip filled with "first" for me. With each "first"  it was like chunks of all those stresses that were bringing me down fell off of me and I felt free to experience and enjoy more.  I have never crossed the George Washington Bridge, a chunk falls off. I've never been east of NYC as we cross out of the last borough another weight removed. We cross the state lines of Connecticut and then Road Island more stresses gone and by the time we reached our super cute B&B I was free from home cares and responsibilities. 

La Farge was the B&B that Josh found. I really questioned his choice and at a point in our hasty last minute vacation planning almost had him change our reservations. I'm so glad we came to this pristinely clean, old but with all the modern convientes, Victorian house inn.  Our room was beautifully decorated for the period and had the added bonus of a jetted bath. Josh was very pleased with himself for picking out such a good place. 

After looking at some maps and consulting with the inn keeper we took to Newport on foot. We walked to the down town area, peeked into some shops, and made it to our early dinner reservation at "The Mooring".  There I had my first main lobster. I've had Caribbean lobster before and wasn't impressed with the overpriced crustacean and really couldn't figure what the attraction was and then I had M

ain lobster. They can barely be called the same creature that is how different they taste. It was a wonderful dinner, and a perfect way to start our New England weekend. We totally indulged ourselves at dinner and equaled it out by walking to the opposite side of the island to do a portion of "the cliff walk" and walked back to our inn. We enjoyed the last hour of sun light walking on the tops of cliffs, looking out towards the Atlantic Ocean and at very old houses.

We enjoyed breakfast in the beautiful dinning room at La Farge and geared up for a full day of sight seeing.  We started off with shock and awe at the Elms House.  I was immediately impressed with the grounds, and neo classical french style of architecture.  The way it was set up and organized was well thought out and made for a seamless enjoyable tour.  It was truly designed to be a entertainment machine.  After that we went to the war for our Sailing tour around the bay.  It was like a private tour with a crew of three and only 4 passengers.  Josh and I raised the sails and remembered the early days of our marriage when went sailing in the Caribbean. It has been a long time and fun to reminisce of times past.  It is hard to believe that it has been 13 years that have past since we tied the marriage knot.  Our sailing tour was low wind and foggy which wasn't the thrilling adventure that I had hoped for but it was enjoyable to take with the crew.  One of them was a marine biologist and was extremely knowledgable and very fun to talk to.  All of the crew members were really well read and had some good book recommendations.  Before the fog rolled in we soaked up views of the bay and heard stories of forts, houses, and times gone by.  The boat was fun to be on it was designed to look like a old classic wood boat with it's two spurs masts being reclaimed from an old boat.  Really enjoyed riding on the water and felt a small effect of the infectious water bug.   We finished our day with more tours of grand houses and a fancy meal over looking the water on the cliff side of the island.

There is never enough time with you are having fun and our time was quickly coming to a close.  We were able to fit in a much desired tour of the servants quarters of the one of the grand houses, one more house.  We made our way to the warf area for lunch and gift buying for the boys and grandma.  Then it was time to say good-bye to a trip of firsts to the New England area and return from whence we came.  As we got nearer I got more excited to be reunited with our boys.  It was nice to have the break from some of the worries and stresses of home but I really loved getting back to my kids.  

Mom's Birthday

This year instead of picking out what I wanted for Josh to buy me, he instead had the challenge of picking something out for me.  First let me say and acknowledge that he did a great job of making me feel special on my birthday.  I did give hime some pointers along the way and I think that he was grateful.  It really was to me the thought that counted.  He peeped by going to costco and getting me things so that I wouldn't have to cook on my day (which is a huge gift in it self).  Then he tried to hide the items in our garage and fridge all of which i mistakenly came across and pretended that I didn't see them.  However all of these little acts and efforts in my behalf made me feel loved.  It was so nice that he was thinking of me.

The morning of I was surprised by all of my mend coming in and waking me with a birthday saraband and showered with presents.  I clad myself in the adornment that were my gifts; "the best wife ever" t-shirt, earrings, and a unity keychain (my favorite gift of all time!).  I also received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Costco and they made me happy for more than a week.  Zachary had a Dr. apt and I enjoyed him as my lunch date for the day.  It was a really happy birthday and I have my sweet family and loving husband to thank.