VB days #5 and #6

Jeff Left for the TR on Thursday morning, but that didn't stop Irene from showing us more non-stop fun!! Josh took Trevor to a fun golf park and driving range while Lily was in preschool and then it was off to the playground and out for some ice cream after lunch. Breanna amazed us again on how well she could navigate the playground and even rode the "big girl" swing. Josh and Trevor made dome new "friends" and started a baseball game. It just felt so wonderful being outside in the warm weather. After the playground we went to this great little ice cream stand that makes their own ice cream. The even had "baby" cones and Emma and Lucas REALLY enjoyed their very first ice cream cones! So cute:) Friday was more of the same. We headed over to the Chesapeake city park which had several wooden playgrounds complete with castles, tunnels, mazes and a sandbox. It was a REALLY warm day and the kids had a blast. Especially Trevor, who went on a treasure hunt and found some new friends with whom he could search for and pick up caterpillars. After that, we headed back to the house to pack up and start on the first leg of our car ride home--it was time to say goodbye already! Thank you so much to Jeff and Irene for making our spring vacation so memorable!

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catching a ride on a shark at the Chesapeake city park......

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starting up a game with some random boys on the playground.....

VB Day #4 : Family Day
The Norfolk Botanical Gardens

On Wednesday, we all visited the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. The weather started off a little cold and breezy, but then Turned BEAUTIFUL!. The flowers, gardens, and kid area were AMAZING! We spent a great deal of time at the sprinklers (even though it was a little cold) and Lucas LOVED the water. In fact all the kids played in it until their lips were turning blue. Then we walked around the park for the rest of the day and saw a bald eagles' nest, turtles and ducks among the luscious green landscaping. Then we headed home for amazing steak on the grill that Josh cooked up and a bottle of red wine right from Italy to go with it. It was another GREAT day!

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For me, one of my favorite moments of the entire trip....Lucas playing in the sprinklers at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens

VB day #3: Boys Day out

Well, Trevor is one REALLY lucky boy (too bad he doesn't always realize it!). Tuesday, he got to go out all day with Josh and Uncle Jeff and see some really cool stuff! First Jeff took them aboard the Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier, and they got to meet the XO (executive officer) of the ship who gave him a special coin called the XO/challenge coin. then later on in the evening, they got to go watch some F-18 fighter ships "bounce" (which means practice landing on an aircraft carrier). This was such a special thing because of the close proximity the shack was to the aircrafts--Thank god for hearing protection! Needless to say, Trevor was absolutely thrilled! Even later on-the festivites picked up again (Trevor not included) as Josh and Jeff met one of the pilots out a Hooters for some HOT wings. They had a great day! --video to follow

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Boys' Day out.....

VB Day#2: Parents Nite Out

Well, after our relaxing day girls day out on Monday, we had what was the most memorable evening of the trip on Monday night. Thanks to Michelle (Jeff and Irene's FABULOUS babysitter-who I wish could come live with me), we put all 5 kids to bed and enjoyed a late dinner at the Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant. Thanks to Josh accidentally ordering a VERY expensive bottle of wine and some early "LOVE" cocktails, we laughed harder than we have in a REALLY long time. Some funny quotes that come from the evening were:

Josh: You just can't look cool while drinking a Capri Sun

Josh: It's just like a little chocolate hot dog!

Irene: What the rule? Liquor before wine, it's all good!

Josh/Irene: I just HAVE to have the turtle

Irene/Jeff: There is some meat in there that I can't find!

Waiter (To Jeff): Here's your LOVE cocktail complete with the heart shaped strawberries.

Josh: OK, I'll take some of that fruit forward tasting wine (price!?!?)

Jeff (to the babysitter): Emma will be fine.....