We haven't updated the blog in a long time for various reasons, one of which is the fact that Molly and I were glued to the Olympics every night, wondering why the coverage was so awful. I won't launch into a rant about why NBC is the devil, but I will focus on something a little more positive... Shalane Flanagan. The Iauco family wants to send a rowdy "congratulations" out to Shalane for her absurdly amazing Bronze Medal in the women's 10,000 meters. We also want to let her husband Steve know that we are fully aware that it is he who does all of the hard work while she gets all of the glory. 205 Warehouse representing once again.
In other running news, the fleet-footed Aunt Johanna dominated the Virginia Beach Half-Marathon over the weekend in a time of 2:27:31. Obviously, I am super proud of her accomplishment.
Johanna (13033) crossing the finish line while simultaneously dodging the excessive celebration of 14202.
Back in Washington, things have been a little crazy. Molly, Mary Grace and I have just made the decision to move back to North Carolina. While we are very excited to get back to the South, Washington has been our home for over five years, so it is going to be extremely hard to say goodbye. Washington is where I carried Molly over the threshold into our spacious 150 square foot apartment after we were married. Washington is where we were blessed with Mary Grace, and have since watched her grow into such a little lady. I have even been with the same company for the entire time we have lived here, so that in itself is going to be a major transition for me. I am really going to miss all of my NMS comrades. So much of our history is here, this will prove to be a pretty big change for us.
Nostalgia aside, we cannot be more excited to start this new phase of our life. We have wanted to get back to Winston-Salem for a very long time now, and we are finally making that a reality. I am thrilled with the concept of owning a house, a parking spot and possibly even a real backyard! Mainly, we are eager to move a little closer to family and friends from whom we have felt so displaced over the past half-decade. Now all we have to do is talk fellow Washingtonians Richard and Lanie into following us in the same general direction.
Now that we know our time is limited, we have been taking advantage of some of our local gems. We took Mary Grace to eat at our favorite little breakfast place over the weekend, and even ordered her some grits. She didn't seem to like them, but I am sure she'll come around. After breakfast we walked over to the outdoor market in Dupont Circle to get groceries for the week.
Sitting at the table with Mommy.
After breakfast with Dad.
Buying flowers at the market.
Taking pictures with Mommy.
Mary Grace has finally grown into the golden running shoes that Aunt Lanie gave her when she was born. We let her try them out over the weekend and she just kept looking at them and laughing. It must be the fact that they are shiny because she didn't even want to take them off to go swimming. Typically, she absolutely refuses to wear any type of shoe or sandal at all.
Golden shoes.
Little pink footprints on the soles.
Showing them off.
Taking off her shoes so we could go to the pool.
On Labor Day, we spent the afternoon at a National's game with my boss Sam, his wife Elsa and their two-and-a-half year old daughter Amelia. Mary Grace absolutely loved the excitement of the baseball game, even the fireworks and loud cheering failed to scare her. After the game, we all went back to Sam and Elsa's house on Capitol Hill for some of Sam's famous ribs. Mary Grace had a great time playing with Amelia; she always loves hanging out with older kids who give her a bunch of attention. It was a great end to the long holiday weekend.
The new stadium.
"Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks..."
Another view of the new stadium.
Dads and daughters.
Amelia after the home run.
Probably our last Nationals game as Washingtonians.
Taking a seventh inning siesta.
