Time for another race!

Today Todd participated in the 1st Annual Newport Station Sprint Triathlon! This race was held right here on the Naval base and included 1/3 mile swim, 16 mile bike and 3.5 mile run. Of course in typical Toddi fashion, he rocked it, finishing in 1 hour and 33 minutes and coming in 10th in his age group. He really enjoyed this race, especially since he runs around the base so much anyways, he knew the course pretty well.

Hanging out before.

Checking out the swim course

Lookin' good!

Rain, Rain, go away!

Dear rain,

Let me first start out that we really enjoy your services. Everything here is very lush and green and we really appreciate it. The thing is, you've been around these last two weekends and you see, we've got some things planned this coming week. So if you can just take a break, that would be awesome. Thanks in advance!

Sincerely,

The Coyers

Yikes!

Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh!!

6 Days and a 'wake up' until our 'two weeks of family' begins! YAY! We are so excited, we are not sure what to do with ourselves. Next Thursday the entire Tranbarger Clan: parents, Goldfarbs, aunts, uncles, cousins, fabulous grandma...the whole she-bang, will be making their way over to our neck of the woods for my cousin Katie's fabulous wedding (YAY!) and a quick visit to Newport (YAY!). We can't wait! Then on the following Tuesday Todd's fabulous bro and our fabulous sis-in-law, Brian and Sandra come for a whole week! YAY! Yes, I'm just a tad excited. We have been preparing for this for so long (which explains all the furniture purchases), we can't believe its FINALLY here! We can't wait to show everyone this beautiful place. Now if time could just hurry along...::checks watch:: :)

Welcome to our home!

And so it begins...

For years my dad has been tormenting my mom by bringing home books by the box full from various swap meets and yard sales, all of the military/history persuasion. Being the elegant woman that she is, she has accepted this quirk and has found a place for each and every book all the while maintaining an organized and immaculate house...she is really a fantastic woman.


Well someone ::glares at hubs:: let it slip that he also likes military/history books.


And so it starts...today we received a box. It was full of Marine/WWII books. It was from my parents. It came with a guarantee that more were coming. Hooray.


On the flip-side, my Todd is just tickled pink with his new books. He spent at least 2 hours riffling through them with great care and consideration before proudly categorizing them on our bookshelf. Not only have they been mentioned to buddies at numerous social events but I believe there are full days soon dedicated to reading them. Hooray.


Anyhoo thanks mom and dad for the books! :) I appreciate you starting this habit more than you know. ::sighs::

California Dreamin'....

We love Rhode Island. Its beautiful and we couldn't be having more fun here but there is something that this place just doesn't have (besides our families) that really makes us homesick. Mexican Food. Correction....good Mexican food. Don't get me wrong, they try but I think we are just too darn far from the border for New Englanders to grasp true Mexican cuisine. Coming from California, this is a tragedy. The closest thing we have to Mexican food here is Titos or excuse me, Titos Authentic Mexican Cantina, as their sign reads. Todd and I were so excited to try it but once we took a look at the menu it became obvious that 'Tito' had probably never visited our neighbor to the south much less tasted their cuisine. On their menu, Tito's offers such 'authentic' Mexican delicacies as: fried chicken, buffalo wings, cheeseburger burritos, enchiladas made with ricotta cheese and chimichangas with chicken, peas, carrots and gravy, which we assumed was a Mexican version of a chicken pot pie. Sadly for Tito tacking on the word 'taco' or 'enchilada' to their dishes does not authentic Mexican food make. Don't get me wrong their food was tasty and I am a bit of a snob but it was just not like home.

So to my folks and all the 'Super Mex' crowd ::waves:: heading out tonight to enjoy your weekly Mexican food fix, there are two people on the east coast that would really like to join you. :)

Time to open a Newport location :)

Check these beauties out!

Yes, I know it's beyond comprehension how exciting our gardening posts are but seriously, wouldn't you be proud? :)

He got frocked!

Today we can officially call my sweet Todd a Gunnery Sergeant! I am so proud of him! Today was the promotion ceremony and I got the great honor of pinning on Todd's new rank. It may have been the most nerve-wracking thing I have done in years! :) The entire command came out to watch and afterwards everyone came up to congratulate the new Gunny. My husband is awesome! ;)

Everyone in formation. All the DIs are in front.

Todd and his two fellow DIs were being promoted.

The boys with Master Guns and the Major

Pinning on his new rank

Happy day!