Day 2 in Boston

We started off the day going to a Yelp rated place. It was an adventure getting there! We had to find the T at State Street. Some T stations aren't clearly marked. One of my favorite quotes of the vacation by hubby was, "the map says it should be right here.... and it isn't!" Well, turns out it WAS! After walking around for more blocks... turns out, the State T station is IN THE OLD STATE HOUSE! But there are no markings for it. Okay... first stop breakfast!

Mike and Patty's... the smallest restaurant I've ever been in my whole life. There were 6 chairs. And, I'm not kidding.. but we got there and both ordered the Bacon Egg Fancy. OMG it was to die for! A fried egg, bacon, avocado, cheese, red onion, a spicy mayo on multigrain bread- amazing. Great variety of textures and taste!

We actually ate in that window.. where there are two stools! Anyways, we went back to the hotel and printed off our City Pass. This pass is a great, great thing! You get to go to 5 Boston attractions for $46! You end up saving a lot of money if you use City Pass. I highly recommend!

So off to The Aquarium we went!

Had to show a pic of where the T is in the Old State House! Those red doors... you go in there and the T is in there. There are no signs... hahahaha. You just have to "know" it's there. (The Old State House is near the site of the Boston Massacre!)

Next we were off to Faneuil Hall and Quincy Marketplace! Talk about tourists! There was live music tons of shops, food and people! We stopped by and had a snack of a corn dog and our first try of some Clam Chowdah!

While in the area, I got my first presents from the trip! A beautiful ring and earrings! Here is a pic of my new ring: IN. LOVE :)

A cool Boston View!

Yes, that's Mac N Cheese :) We went back to the hotel for a break and to change so we'd be ready for the next sight seeing!

I stopped by "Cheers" and then...

We were both craving seafood so we went to the Salty Dog and split a calamari platter MMMMM. We were sitting out on the patio having cocktails and this was by far amazing people watching!

Off we went to the North End. Before the tour started we stopped for drinks at Goody Glover's. And our view of the city was amazing!

We went on a Walking Tour called The Dark Side of Boston. On this tour we visited different sites and stories I've never heard. A murder, the Brinks Robbery, the Molasses Spill, grave robbers... just interesting stuff!!!

After the tour we went for drinks and a lobster cake at Ferrara's.

We tried to get in at Neptune Oyster, but it was too late... so off we went to Union Oyster House, the OLDEST restaurant in the US. I tried Oysters for the first time and had a special Sam Adams beer that is only made for the Union Oyster House.

We finished the night at The Vintage Lounge where had beers and told the owner about our days adventures.

Day 1 in Boston

We finally went on a real vacation. A vacation that didn't involve a wedding, family or any event. Us History majors, chose Boston! Luckily, I cashed in my miles and we got to fly there and back and stay in a hotel in the Financial district for $70! The food and entertainment was up to us. And here is day one for us in Boston! We left Grand Rapids on an early morning flight. It was slightly delayed and we got to Cleveland and literally RAN to the gate. We got to the gate and found it the flight was still delayed. PHEW! We boarded to Cleveland and landed around 2:45PM ET on Saturday July 28th.

Here we are on the plane!

Some pics from the plane:

On the free shuttle bus. We took the shuttle and we were at the T station. MBTA is what runs the subway/trolley's for Boston. We bought a one week pass for $18 each. We didn't want to rent a car or take a taxi so we could spend more money on entertainment and food :). Late lunch- Mr Dooley's. Mr Dooley's is an Irish pub. Filled with character and Boston speaking staff! I just wanted to listen to our waitress all day!! Here is where I ordered my first Sam Adams... it is Sam Summer. In proper terms! :) Anyway, we had Irish Fries, beers and a burger and it was all really good. There was a little duo playing music and the atmosphere was fun! What a great place to start our time in Boston! Our first meal at Mr Dooley's.

Pub Crawl: After dinner we started off at The Vintage Lounge.. which was across the street from our hotel! (AND they had Allagash, one of my favorite beers!) Next, we hit Jose McIntyre's and met a girl whose sister was on the gymnastics team at Iowa, GO HAWKS! (And an alternate at the Olympics). Next up we hit Sissy K's where I had my first Wachusetts Blueberry Beer, mmmm. After this, John and I headed next door to the Hong Kong where John sang "Sweet Caroline" and I somehow got beers bought for me! I also ordered crab rangoons as I was a little hungry. :) Last we went to this interesting place called An Tan.. they let us in free... we had a beer and left... not our style... but HEY, we didn't pay cover! Lastly, we stopped off at our hotel bar called Brix and split some steak quesadillas! :) Had a fun first night in Boston! The second day will bring way more adventures!

Tourist in my own city

My Mom came to visit the first weekend in July... Oh it was just over 100 degrees! We decided on some indoor site seeing and outdoor (when it was only in the 80s).

On Friday night we took her to our local fave... Bud & Stanley's.. I split a burger with my Mom and John got a burrito. Since she saw Johns burrito she wanted one! And she isn't a Mexican food person. Anyway... We each played $5 at Keno... I ended up winning $70- she got $2 back. Yay Keno!

Saturday we headed to Stella's- to split the best burger in the USA and the Gerard Ford Museum. It was awesome! After we got he we ended up heading to the Gun Lake Casino! Pretty cool and close!

Sunday we went shopping, getting Mom her burrito and the Meijer Gardens! I was so impressed! There was so much to see! We got a lot of walking in!

After our long day, we had kiddy cocktails and then Mom started her drive back! Great tourist weekend with my Mom!

Life changing moment

February 25th, I attended my first Kettlebell class. I had no idea what to expect. I knew it would be a good workout from everything that I have read.

I also joined Sparkpeople.com again to just get an idea of a calorie range! Heck, I can eat up to 1900 calories.
I wanted to lose 20 pounds first. So I gave myself a year. That's a half a pound a week. Totally manageable!

July 4th... Weighed in 20 lbs lighter! I made first goal. In under 5 months!

I still cook the same... Still have wine or beer... But track everything! Tracking is key! That website makes it totally easy and you can track offline!

I do 3 45 minute workouts a week.

Next up, some cross training at least one off day. I'm gonna start with step aerobics. I was gonna run about 2 miles, but not in this 100 degree heat.

My next goal is another 10 by November. I'll keep ya posted!

Here is me with some red wine after a workout and grilling some chicken and brats :).

6-5-12

Well, sorry for taking so long but I've been a bit busy traveling this month for work so I got to this later than I wanted!

We celebrated our 8th anniversary this year of being married. I am one lucky girl! We got the iMac as our present to each other... Just a bit early as we thought our 10 year old emachine was about to die. We were getting blue restart screens daily! We are IN LoVe with our new computer!!!

Anyway, John also spoiled me with a new Hobo purse, wallet and three pairs of shoes. The shoes are a pair of Clark neutral sandals, flop flops made from old yoga mats!! Andddddd... My first pair of Toms!!! :). Wow... I bought a pair and they are giving a pair to someone in need!! Love it! I will now buy a pair yearly!

We exchanged cards after work, worked out and went to Bluewater Grill and we sat outside... It was a perfect 75 degrees! The lake was still and the birds were chirping!

We started with calamari... AMaZing! I got a glass if Pinot Noir and had ribeye, 15 bean bacon baked beans and corn. Hubby got the fish tacos!

Amazing weekend and anniversary with my love! I am so happy and feel blessed everyday.