Headed to VA

We left out early the Sunday morning before Thanksgiving to go see Allison and Anthony in Virginia Beach. Mom and Dad joined us later that night. Man I needed some beach time!
We were so blessed to have an extra seat next to me on the flight so Cooper had some space and I had some sanity!

We went straight from the airport to SEAFOOD and SWEET TEA!

Caroline loving on Coop at lunch on Monday, probably right as our car was being towed... that's another story

After the towing craziness, we headed over to our favorite local bakery. Caroline was extra excited because Mom's nickname for her is "Sugar Plum"

Oh yes

Coop hyped up on sugar

Jamestown

We started off Tuesday heading down to Jamestown. The weather was just plain nasty, but none of us had been before, so we wanted to check it out. I think every child in Virginia under 10 was there, but we still enjoying seeing it.

Chris and Coop

Me and Coop

Caroline on the ship

Papa and Coop

Dad preaching on the horrors of sin

This is what we walked in all day

After we left the reconstructed Jamestown, we went a few miles away to the recently discovered actual Jamestown fort site.

Caroline with Pocahontas

The Old Church

John Smith

After Jamestown, we took Chris over to Colonial Williamsburg. I was excited to show it to him because we've been talking about it for so long! The weather was really drizzly and cold, so we didn't spend as much time as we normally do, but we hit all of the high spots!

They were just beginning to decorate for Christmas. They use all natural decorations and try to make them just as they would have in Colonial times. They were really beautiful and I was inspired to try to mimic on this year. We'll see if that happens...

Caroline was such a trooper!

George Washington's pew box at the church

Fun at the House

Wednesday we spent most of the day preparing for our big day on Thursday. We ate lunch with Eric and Edie Thomas- A blast!!- and then spent the day at home. Allison prepared a fabulous dinner and invited some friends over to join us. Here are a few shots from the day...

Coconut cupcakes!
We had to come up with a way to our this tables', uhh... anatomy.

Thankful

It's not hard to be thankful when you are able to spend your Thanksgiving Day on the beach with the people you love most! The day was beautiful, the food was divine and the fellowship was sweet.

Caroline found these huge leaves at Williamsburg and insisted that they be used as placemats

After we finished the meal, we headed outside for a fire and walk on the beach.

Chillin' and Travelin'

We were able to spend our last 2 days really relaxing. We started Friday off with a yummy breakfast of homemade donuts. Mom used a recipe that she grew up making and let me tell you, it did not disappoint!

The girls stayed home while the guys were taken on a tour of the Norfolk Naval Base by a friend. I think they were all ready to enlist by the end of it. What is it with men, guns and large hunks of steel??

While they were touring, the girls and kids knocked out a number of our favorite Christmas movies. We did a lot of chatting and crossword puzzles. It was such a relief to spend the day at home!

That night, we took in the light on the Virginia Beach boardwalk. They close off the entire boardwalk and allow cars to drive all the way to down it to view the lights. They had huge light displays on the beach and over the boardwalk. It took some time to get through the line of cars, but it was well worth it!

Sadly, on Saturday, it was time to make the trek home. We were happy to get to squeeze in a breakfast with some dear friends. Tim and Jen Zittle worked at Travis when Chris and I were in high school and we enjoyed hanging out with them as 'couples.' We had a great time of food and fellowship before dashing off to the airport.

I spent most of the trip thinking about different travel issues that come with traveling with a baby and 4 year old. Boy I was ready to blog all of my frustrations! Now that I have cooled down some. I've decided to spare you all that rant. Let's just say I was stressed and glad it was over! I do need to ask if anyone in their right mind thinks a 8 month old could have a bomb in his size 1 Chuck Taylors?? Ok, I'll stop right there. Caroline was able to enjoy the rocking chair during our layover in St. Louis.