Great Wolf Lodge

Oh yes, we did it.  Family trip to Great Wolf Lodge.  The Sanzi's (our friends of 'annual summer visit to Rhode Island' fame) planned the perfect getaway/meet-up for our families.  We met at the halfway point between us -- the Poconos -- for some intense vacation time together.  We were so outnumbered that the whole thing was just ridiculously fun.  The Sanzi boys were fearless; Millie rode every waterslide in the place (including the scary one, she'll tell you) and Si even got it together enough to ride some impressive slides.  Hannah was her rascally, exhausting self.  Here you go:

Here's a cute little "then and now" action.  Photo above is JJ and Millie in the summer of 2007.  Mils is 10 months old.  Photo below is 2013.  These two were awesome together.  First borns unite!  

Nationals with the Strimbu's

Look at these kids, all wrapped up in love from friends who've known them almost since the day they were born.  We met up with Greg and Sybil for a picnic in the park and a Nationals baseball game.  I was totally psyched to 1) See my friends; 2) Watch Steven Strasburg pitch; and 3) Eat an Italian Store sub.  And oh yeah...enjoy a baseball game with the kiddos.  They hung in for a solid 7 innings and we loved our every minute with the Strimbu's.  Goodbye wasn't even that bad..."See you soon in Germany!"

Some Springtime Happiness

Just us living life here in Norfolk:

Easter

A beautiful walk in the neighborhood

Learning to read.

Simon and his friend watching the big sisters' soccer game.

Hannah and her "bock-pock"

Oh heavens.  This guy showed up just outside our back door.  Five foot rat snake with his recent lunch bulging in his belly.  I am so freaked out.

Simon and Daddy named him Ratatouille

Reunion Getaway

Can't believe I never posted this.  It's old news now (November 2012), but very very fond memories for us.

************************************

Maybe one of the best decisions we've made.  As soon as Christopher got home from deployment we hopped in the car for a four day getaway to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  We found the most perfect little set up at the Marriott resort: a little apartment with two bedrooms, kitchen, balcony, etc. plus TONS of daily activities for the family.  Obstacle course for the kids, evening smores, movie night...

Breakfast in our 'room'.

Christopher was the master of 'scavenger hunts'.  He'd give the kids lists of things to find and they'd take off all over the resort to take photos of the found objects.  They loved it!

  

Bowling Night!

Yes, he's bowling with Hannah in his arms!

The view from my run one morning.  Gorgeous.