Back to the Beach...

Well, it's back to usual (for the next few days anyway). Yesterday the girls and I enjoyed another gorgeous day at the beach--beach life is good!

Logan...

Carsyn and Maren...

Last night we went out for dinner. We ate pizza and tried some local hand-crafted beer (well, the girls didn't). Fun times.

Before dinner...

The girls and Mike...

Logan definitely thinks highly of this guy...

Today the girls and I took a day off from the beach so we could go to pick up Nana from the airport. Her flight got in right in the middle of rush-hour in Newport News. So, we left the beach after lunch and spent some time at the outlet mall in Williamsburg. The girls were so excited to see their Nana!

Hanging out in Williamsburg...

Colonial Williamsburg and More...

Saturday morning the girls enjoyed spending time with their dad at the beach since he didn't have class. It was nice for them...and for me.

Colors of the day: black and white...

After that we cleaned up and packed up for a little weekend getaway to Williamsburg. (That's right--we took a trip, while on vacation.) Logan and Carsyn hadn't been since 2006, and Maren had never been. We had a great time walking around Colonial Williamsburg, stopping in all the shops and eating dinner. It was a little hot at first, but it cooled down later in the evening.

The girls...

Maren...

Logan...

Carsyn...

Such a pretty place...

This morning we went to Mass before going over to Water Country USA. The girls were super-excited to go to the water park. The weather was pretty gloomy, but we stuck it out. The girls had a blast.

Before Mass...

Water Country USA...

Carsyn and Maren's First Sleepover...

After spending day swimming with Ashley, Jenna, and Kyle, the girls got to go over to Maren's Godparent's for a sleepover. Jill graciously invited them over, and they were super-excited. It was both Maren and Carsyn's first-ever sleepover. Apparently they had sooo much fun and were very well-behaved (way to put on a show, girls ; ). Today I met them for lunch at Jill's, and then we all went to their pool. What a fun time, and great that they were able to have such an awesome first overnight with such good friends (just like family).

Fun at the pool...

CA Friends in VA...

Last week we found out that friends of ours from Lemoore were coming to Virginia Beach--thanks to Facebook! Today we finally met up with them at their pool at the Oceanfront. The girls were beyond excited. Logan and Carsyn have been writing letters to them since we moved three years ago. It was so sweet to see them all together again. They didn't waste any time catching back up either. What a super-fun day! This has been such an awesome vacation, and we're not done yet...

Logan and Ashley: friends since Kindergarten...

Who wants snow cones?

Carsyn's first best friend: Jenna...

The last time Maren and Kyle were together they were one-year-olds...

Good friends...

Some More Sun and Fun (and Cute Suits)...

The girls and I spent the day at the beach today...surprise, surprise. It was beautiful, and we're here--so why not!? We are loving this summer!

So cute...

Logan...

Carsyn...

Maren...

Happy Birthday, Mike!

Tonight we went out for dinner to celebrate Mike's birthday. We went to a barbecue place that will be featured on an upcoming episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. The girls have really been looking forward to today. They've been scheming and planning for the past several days. In fact last week Logan (the little spy) made it her mission to find out what Mike's favorite cake was, and last Friday we went to an Italian bakery (also visited by Guy on Triple D) to order it. After dinner we had cake and the girls gave Mike the cards they made him and some of his favorite beer. Happy Birthday, Mike! We hope you enjoyed your day--the girls certainly had fun hanging out with you.

Ready for the big night...

The girls and and birthday guy...

All of us...

What's better than cake and beer?

Just Another Day at the Beach...

We could really get used to beach life. The girls and I have been enjoying ourselves in the sand and sun, while daddy studies away at class. The weather has been gorgeous. But, last night after we grabbed dinner at Red Robin with Mike, there were actually tornado warnings in Norfolk. But, the days have been hot and sunny.

Moday's swimsuit selection...

Logan...

Carsyn...

Maren...

Ready for dinner Monday night...

Today's look...

Fun with Friends...

One of the most appealing benefits of spending three weeks in Virginia Beach--apart for the actual beach--was getting to spend time with friends that we don't live near anymore. So while the girls were super-bummed that Mike had gone back to Washington for the weekend, they perked right up when we told them that we were meeting Maren's Godparents and their kids at the beach. Oh my gosh...the kids had a blast! They hadn't seen Evan, Madison, and Morgan since last summer--but you would never know that. All six played together so well. So much fun!

The girls waiting for their friends

(in the beach dresses they received from Jill for their birthdays--thanks, Jill!)...

Triple M: Morgan, Maren, & Madison...

The blondies...

Logan and Evan looking for crabs...

Future surfer girls...

Getting brave...

All six...

Couldn't decided between color or black&white--thoughts?

After all that fun at the beach, we all cleaned up (and even squeezed in Mass on base) before heading to the Town Center for dinner at an old favorite...CPK! The girls were stoked--it had been forever since we'd eaten there. You should have seen all ten of us stuffed into a table meant for six, but we had fun!

In order from oldest to youngest...

All ten of us...

On Sunday we went over to Chad and Jill's for lunch and to watch the Indycar race (and a Cubs game.) The kids had so much fun playing together and having a dance party! They were very entertaining! Thanks for the hospitality, guys--you're the best!

Singing...

and dancing...

The famous couch picture...