First Year Recap Update

I fully intended on providing more details/recaps on Monday night, and throughout this week, but the week kind of got away from me/us. And now we're getting ready to head out of town for a wedding weekend extravaganza in Vegas (!) and won't be back home until Sunday. SO. Now I fully intend on providing those aforementioned details/recaps on Sunday and Monday. In fact, I'll hold myself to that: I promise I'll post our first year recaps and our next plans on Sunday and Monday!

In the mean time, off we go to HOT HOT SUNNY LAS VEGAS (a first for me, and adding another state on my visited state list = bonus!), where the weather for the weekend looks like this:

(aren't you curious about those "On The Go Breakfast Recipes" from the Weather Channel??)

 
We'll be back in a few days exhausted, I'm sure, and sporting even better tans to kick-off the fall! And then we'll jump-start the next phase/year of this crazy Home Sweet Schwab adventure!

Congratulations to Kelly & Jeff!

M.I.A.

Just a quick explanation for our recent disappearing act. Our Internet connection has been M.I.A. for at least the last two weeks, causing annoying disruptions to lots of our activities at home, but also to our ability to report our HSS-goings on. We're hoping to resolve this soon... this week? After we do, there will be some catching up to do. Since we last posted any home update-related details, Dave has repaired a torn screen and replaced a toilet, though that last one came with some side-effects. We also have some flooring updates, and then some fun things, like enjoying our recently-opened pool, and the beach, and the balcony, and grilling with friends. All good things.

So in the meantime, hold tight! We'll have stuff up here ASAP. While you await our posting return, here's a shot of how we've been spending our weekends lately (and I'll preempt my Aunt Joan's comment be reminding you that there is always an open invitation to join us!):

 

Hooray!

Hooray! Hooray! Callooh! Callay! The Schwabs are going to Cape Cod!

I have said many many times that to me it's not summer if I haven't set foot on the Cape. It's now been two years in a row that my giant Heller foot hasn't made that step, so I'm beyond excited that we'll be able to breathe in that sweet salty air, eat some delicious fried seafood, play some cards, drink some (many?) G&Ts or Cape Codders or vino (depending on who's pouring), and generally engage in various occasions of relaxation, silliness, and excessive time in the sun with our amazing Heller family! I literally cannot wait for August!

And of course, important to note, the Annual Heller Cape Cod Takeover kicks off with the emotional and incredible Pan Mass Challenge, a two-day bike ride across most of Massachusetts raising critical research dollars for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund. For many years now, my family has participated in any and every way possible, even going so far as to declare ourselves a bicycling club: Hellers on Wheels. This year my father, Eric, my brother, Adi, and my cousin, Nathaniel, will ride, while numerous Hellers (and Hellers with other last names!) will volunteer for the event. While we won't make it in time to reclaim our places on the volunteer roster, we will be loud and proud, cheering on the riders tackling the dunes at the end of the Cape as they make their way on Day 2 into Provincetown to cross the finish line. Of course, this event's over- and undertones give us all pause to reflect on the numerous ways in which cancer has touched our lives. We ride/volunteer/support/cheer in honor and in memory of those we love and lost, of those we love and encourage, and of those we love and celebrate. If you'd like to support our family's fundraising efforts, you can click here to visit my brother's PMC fundraising page. Every little bit helps. As my dad's fundraising letter often remarks, there are lots of simple cures for the sore muscles, aches and pains that come from riding a bike for 200 miles. Through your support, someday there will also be cures for all cancers. GO PMC!

(all photos my own; Nathaniel, I apologize that I don't have a group shot to include - I'll take care of that on the hill this year!)

Why We Live Here... Thanks for Showing Up, Nice Weather!

Mark this day in the books: first balcony "dinner" at the HSS. And it was glorious. This IS why we live here.