I Heart the U.S. Passport Services

I normally wouldn't blog about something like this, however I am completely taken aback by the efficiency and speediness of the U.S. Passport Services. A few months ago, my dear cousin Katie pointed out that England is about the same flying distance from Rhode Island as California. Immediately, I started looking into flights to London. Only problem? My passport is still sporting my fabulous maiden name and not my equally fabulous new married name thus suspending any international travel. So 6 days ago, I rounded up my important information and scampered off to our local post office to apply for a new passport. I paid the normal $75 fee and was assured that I would see my new passport in 6 weeks or even 3 if I was lucky. Having no immediate plans to skip town, I gave the post man a thumbs up and we went our separate ways. Well today my passport came, 6 days later, 6 days people! I don't know about you, but I am incredibly impressed. I don't know if its because they have recovered from this summer's influx of passport applications, streamlined their processes, or just plain want the Coyer's to leave the country but I am incredibly pleased with their service. To the U.S. Passport Services, I salute you, keep up the good work!

Oh My Goodness! Our Bulbs Are Growing!!

This a big day for us! We were so close to scrapping this whole blub idea and planting potted plants when lo and behold, they are sprouting! I have counted 7, yes 7 of our blubs peeking out above the soil. Hurray!

Now if anyone could help us decipher what are weeds and what are not that would be really helpful :)

Let the Triathlon Season Begin!

That's right folks, Todd is back to putting all our fitness efforts to shame by participating in the first sprint triathlon of the season! Today he raced in the New England Season Opener in Hopkinton State Park, MA. The weather was clear and sunny but CHILLY! Todd said during the swim the water was so cold it took his breath away. As usual he did amazing finishing the 1/4 swim, 11 mile bike and 3 mile run in just under 1 hour and 16 minutes coming in at 78 out of 300. He finished the 3 mile run in 19 minutes... wow! GO TODDI!

I really enjoy going to these races. My favorite part (beside watching my hubs) is that each athlete has their age marked behind their right leg, so its fun to guess how old everyone is. Let me just tell you, exercise is seriously the fountain of youth. There were 60 year olds that could pass as 40 or younger...its crazy! Now, I am pretty proud of my own 3+ days a week at the gym, however it is easy to be hard on yourself when you are surrounded by 300 samples of physical health. It's even worse that during their race you are usually just hanging out sipping on a diet coke ::hangs head in shame::

Personally, doing 3 different sports back to back is just plain nutty (sorry honey)...and besides, spectating and motivating is an integral part of these races right?...so really in my mind, why should I feel bad? :) brrrr...cold water

Running out of the water, Todd is the closest to the shore

Transitioning to his bike

Coming towards the finish line!

Happy Mother's Day!

It's really no secret that we have fabulous parents so today Todd and I were a little sad that we could not celebrate Mother's day with our families. We hope that our wonderful moms were incredibly pampered today. We miss you both so much and thank you for everything that you do for us!

Honestly, how pretty are our moms! Didn't we come from some great genes!

On this day in history...

Todd has been home for an entire year! Where did the time go? I remember anxiously waiting for him to get off the bus and now we are married and happily living in Rhode Island...wow a lot has happened since his homecoming! We decided we needed to celebrate. With everything that is going on in this world and the fact that there will be more deployments in our future, a full year of uninterrupted happiness definitely deserves a toast!

Happy day!

We may have lost the battle...but we won the war.

The Great Squirrel war of 2008 rages on at the Coyer house and the squirrel has gotten cocky. Yelling, name calling and chasing after the little critter is getting poor Todd nowhere and he has now changed tactics. His new strategy...to simply stop filling the bird feeder. The squirrels countermove...toss the birdfeeder off its perch and in the middle of our yard. Unfortunately sweet Todd did not share this move with his wife, who loves her birdfeeder and didn't want to waste the 5lbs. of bird seed she purchased. So I filled it (oops) and the battle raged on. This morning we woke up to our feeder not only knocked on the ground but actually dragged onto our patio. Of course sitting right next to it was our lil critter gorging himself with seeds. The squirrel had gone too far. The next few minutes are now a blur, but the bird feeder and 5lbs of bird seed were promptly locked in the basement. My Todd has emerged triumphant. Peace in our house is restored.

Final Score: Sweet Todd: 1 squirrel: 8

Red 'X' marks the original location of our bird feeder, note where the squirrel is on our patio

Bad squirrel!

Todd vs. the squirrel

Todd has found a nemesis in the form of a fuzzy little squirrel. In our campaign to bring on Spring we put out a bird feeder to attract all the pretty birds in our neighborhood. Within a day, our house quickly became the most popular with the birds. We also became quite popular with a certain squirrel. It will hang upside down and eat out of the feeder for hours, everyday. I personally think its a cute little critter however my dear husband feels that a squirrel is just a rat with a cuter tail. He has thus declared war. It is really quite amusing. It is now not uncommon to hear Todd open windows and shout at the squirrel from various parts of our house or see him darting out our back door to scare it away. With all his efforts, bless his heart, that darn squirrel is not the slightest bit intimidated.

Current score: Squirrel: 5 Sweet Todd: 0 :(

Public Enemy #1

Bird feeder in happier times