Virginia Vacation :-)

We absolutely love having family in Virginia because it is such a beautiful place to visit. Glenn’s oldest brother Bill, his wife Suzanne, and their beautiful girls are the only family on the East Coast with us. We have lucked out that when we lived in New Jersey, New York, and North Carolina (in a matter of days) that they have never been more than five hours away. Normally we only have time to make a quick weekend and sometimes just a 24 hour trip, so it was so nice to have a whole week to spend there! Since Sydney and Savannah were so grown up by the time I became a Fox I look forward to these visits with my nieces so much! To top it off we were able to persuade Stephanie, who I have never met yet, with roller coasters and water slides to join us on our family vacation. Glenn’s Mom even flew out all the way from California to join us too!! Months ago I suggested we go to Busch Gardens for Glenn’s birthday back in June. A trip to Virginia was of course a perfect time to meet up with some of the Fox’s, and I’m so happy they all jumped on board with our plans.

This ended up not being a birthday trip since we went in July, but it was way better having more family involved. We left on a Thursday right when Glenn was home from work. He always teases me because whenever I’m excited for something I’m literally bouncing up and down at the front door ready to leave right when he pulls up in the driveway. We have driven right near Washington D.C. and never had the chance to be touristy yet. We stayed at my friend Emily’s in Maryland for the night and spent all day Friday walking around all the monuments. I had no idea that there were so many, we mapped our walk at the end of the day and walked more than 6.5 miles. I felt so patriotic all day just being there and thinking about all the wars and all the people who fought for America. We’re so lucky to live here!

On Saturday we drove the last hour to Virginia and met up with the Fox’s. We spent a chill day going to see Dark Knight Rises. Then later that night we went to watch Syd and Sav in their Youth Conference Extravaganza celebration. Oh how I remember well all the silly dancing and singing you do as a youth. Sunday we drove down to Williamsburg and settled into our little home for the next few days.  

Monday morning I French braided all the girl’s hair for our day at Water Country USA! We were so lucky to never have very long lines and were able to go on our favorite slides over and over. My favorites were the giant tube rides where we could cram in five people. I also had to go on Vanish Point, the crazy cliffhanger water slide where you drop straight down. They had a new ride where you step into a clear tube and they close a door on you, after you wait a few seconds the floor drops out beneath you. Crazy right! I wouldn’t say it was my favorite but I wanted to go on everything. I loved soaking up some sunshine, eating some dippin dots, and was just as excited as all the little kids there! Tuesday we went to Busch Gardens. Again we had no lines! Who has ever heard of walking straight onto the front row of a roller coaster?! The longest wait all day was like 20 minutes for their brand new ride, and everything else was like 5 minutes or less. We went on every major coaster in the park, ate our lunch with fairy tale characters, and watched an Irish dancing show. Our day ended when the monsoon rain started and we had to make a mad dash to our car that was a good 15 minutes away.

It was clear skies the next day, perfect to hang out at Virginia Beach! The waves were so strong I was being tossed around like a rag doll. Literally at one point Glenn and I were holding hands when a huge wave came that we dove under, and it completely ripped our hands apart. I didn’t last that long in the water but Glenn stayed in and toughed it out. After a yummy late lunch at a Greek restaurant we had to sadly say goodbye. Even our drive home was memorable. We decided to suck it up and take the toll route so we could get home an hour sooner. We drove across this freeway that literally cuts straight through the ocean, seriously like 20 miles surrounded by water on all sides, two tunnels, and no exits! I didn’t even know that was possible, I was so freaked out! I am so thankful we were able to have this super fun vacation, and for me the chance to get to know my nieces a bit better. It gave me a break from waiting impatiently for our move, and let me relax and focus on fun!

Water is dangerous!



Pictures don't do these waves justice.