2014 Virginia Trip - Phase Two

The Gooss' live near Richmond, which is a lovely place to visit.  If you're ever in the area, make a point to walk around Maymont Park.  Absolutely gorgeous.  And free.  I'm not sure what was most awesome about Maymont, it's immaculate gardens or the fact that it is free.  Or maybe the black bear they have residing there.  Or maybe the huge magnolia trees.  Or maybe that it's free.  Have I mentioned it's free?  Seriously though, you should go.  

Anyway, the Gooss'.  Or would it be Goosses?  However the plural spelling of their last name would be, they are awesome.  We met them here in residency.  There are just some people that you will love for life.  They are on our we-will-love-them-forever list.  

We went to the Half Pipe Mall one afternoon.  They had a Cheescake Factory.  Uh oh.  I probably shouldn't tell you that I bought to slices of cheesecake.  $18?  Serously?!  Worth every penny though.  

They had a Pottery Barn store too.  $2,784?  Seriously?!  Just kidding.  I actually walked out of there without spending a dime.  It's true.  Hardest. Thing. I've. Ever. Done.  

And then there was our trek over to Virginia Beach.  AHHHHH.  The Ocean.  How magnificent thou art.  Girls had a blast, kept getting swept down the shore and called back, and finally got brave and started jumping waves in deeper water just as we were ready to leave, much to their dismay.  

Like I've said before, no trip anywhere with me is complete without some ice cream.  

Now that I think of it, no trip to any state that has a Chic Fil A is complete without some chicken.  And fries. And Chic Fil A sauce.  And fresh squeezed lemonade.  This pic below is of the kids after some Chic Fil A on their family night.  Free Cookies and balloon attire.  

And after a long 11 days on the road, this sign was a very welcomed sight, indeed. 

2014 Virginia Trip - Phase One

Sometimes one just needs to leave town.  Go on an adventure.  Alone, with 4 kids in tow.  Ever feel that way?  

I didn't think so.  

I went anyway.  And it was a blast.  And doable.  The girls were actually pretty dang good.  So good that I'd do it again.  

School got out and we took off a week later for Virginia to see Adam's brother's family In Roanoke and then some friends in Richmond.  The girls needed a trip.  I needed a break from the endless projects and house cleaning around here.  We ate a lot of Chic Fil A.  Hiked, slid down rocks slides, exercised, went for lots of walks, swam, played at parks, went for scooter rides, caught fire flies, watched movies, stayed up way too late, did crafts on a roof.... what else?  Oh yea.  Ice cream.  No trip with this mama is complete without ice cream.  

Lanie loved her Uncle Nate.  She loves men in general, I think.  And Uncle Nate loved Lanie.  

Roaring Run was so beautiful and tons of fun.  There were rock slides that we slid down into pools of water.  My older two are getting brave and actually tried the huge one.  I won't mention if they cried when they surfaced at the bottom though.  At least they tried.

And by the end of leg one of the trip, this is how we all felt: