Navy, Newport, and New buddies

As I'm beginning this post, I'm sitting in a cozy hotel suite watching the snow fall outside.  Now fast forward 3 days and I'm finally finishing this blog after spending a gorgeously sunny and warm day outside.  Weather is so unpredictable...how's a girl supposed to know how to pack for a getaway??? ;)


We went to Newport, RI for our friend's graduation from the Navy Nursing Corp.  We've known her brother since our Seattle years, lived with him in San Diego, and have been friends with the entire Chase family ever since.  They are the loveliest family around and were so happy when we found out they would all be flying to the East coast for the graduation.

I would highly recommend the Pelham Court Hotel to anyone wanting to visit Newport:

The staff is incredibly accommodating.
All the rooms are suites with kitchen and living rooms (absolutely ideal with kids).
Continental breakfast is provided.
And the hotel is just steps from Thames St. shopping, eating, sight-seeing, etc.

Kathleen's ODS dinner and graduation:

Dave and Danny with their kiddos

Get him girl!

Kathleen and her niece Colbie, nephew Grady, niece Reagan, and Ellie
She bought them all these cute outfits ;)

Jade Chase and sweet Colbie

Daddy....this says Navy 

Just hanging out with good drinks, food, and company:

Completely normal...really.

Auntie Kanya comes to visit!

Our dear friend Kanya came out for a visit from warm, sunny Arizona.  We were neighbors in Seattle, and later learned that we also went to neighboring high schools in Olympia.  We've been great friends ever since she warned us not to park in visitor parking in our old neighborhood..."You can't park there!  I don't care but there's an old lady, Barbara, who will tell on you!"  She is a loyal, amazing friend who loves life and traveling as much as I do.   Now, I'm so happy to have had her out here, and to meet Ellie Reese for the first time, but brrrrrrr!  She picked the wrong time of year to head to the East Coast!

We took her up to NYC for a night and scored a great deal on an amazing hotel.  The Conrad was perfect for us because the suite gave us a closed off bedroom plus living room for Ellie to run around in.   The views of Hudson River weren't too bad either.

Lobby at night

Marble staircase

Lobby

View of the Hudson from our floor

So kid friendly!  Cute little plush moose with  complimentary Johnson and Johnson baby amenities

"Give me my toy!"

The hotel is located  near the new 9/11 Memorial so we did that and then walked through the park, Times Square, Tribeca, and later back to the Financial District, Battery Park, and even stopped by Carlos' Bakery in Hoboken on the way home.  We did our fair share of walking and subway riding and were glad to head home Sunday when the brutally cold wind came through Manhattan.  

We've decided when she comes back, it will be spring or summer so we can actually enjoy the entire park and not just 1 block of it :)

We also spent a half-day in Philly.  We ventured out to funky/artsy/eclectic South Street.  Let me tell you...consignment shop heaven!!  I found an amazing deal on a fabulous pair of jeans and Kanya found a cute dressy tank perfect for Arizona's climate.  The rain started to pick up pretty good so we ended up cutting our Philly excursion short by leaving downtown and heading over to my fave Philly Cheesesteak spot:  Dalessandro's.  This little piece of heaven is in Roxborough, a suburb of Philly, and is around the corner from where Dave's grandma's house is.  There was just a short line inside and we managed to snag three stools up at the counter and then thoroughly devoured our sandwiches.   Oh...to die for!!

We had a great week with Auntie Kanya.  Now back to the grind and my Finance final....I'm completely procrastinating.  I hope you all have a great week!