Habachi!

Wednesday night we all went out to a habachi grill! If you have never been to one here's how it works: there is a large grill in the center of the "table" and the seven of us set around the edge. Then a chef comes and cooks your food in front of you. Very entertaining and very yummy! The girls loved it. Our chef was very friendly and showed off for the girls. So fun!

Happy Birthday Dale!

Wayne asked our dear friends Dale & Laura Hawkins to come out here to Virginia Beach so Dale could help him on the job. Tuesday was Dale's birthday so we of course had to celebrate! We went to the movie theatre and saw Even Almighty (surprizingly funny and respectful) and then had cake in their camper. We love this family so much! They are so kind and have real hearts for God. Happy Birthday Dale!

Washington D.C.

Yesterday, we headed to Washington DC to sightsee. We got there late Saturday night and run through the FDR Memorial. This morning we started early thinking to beat the heat. Not happening. It was 99 degrees in DC today! The wind felt like a hot blow dryer hitting your face. Nevertheless, we were only there for one day and wanted to fit as much in as we could. We started at the Vietnam Memorial Wall. It was a very quiet and respectful place. We located a family member's name (on my dad's side), and got a tracing of it. Then we headed to the Abraham Lincoln Memorial, the Reflecting Pool, the Korean War Memorial, the WW2 Memorial, and the Washington Memorial. Then we went to the Smithsonian. We chose the 2 Chinese art displays (very old and beautuful sculptures and pottery) and the aviation displays to see. We also saw a special display called Treasures of American History - such as Dorothy's red slippers from The Wizard of Oz and Jackie Kennedy's inaugural gown. This was definately cool. Then we headed down to the White House, or should I say near the White House. We could not get too close at all. I understand the need for security, but we were somewhat disappointed not to be able to see more of it. We were just about melted into puddles by then, so we headed out. We ate, returned to our camper, hit the showers and are now relaxing in our AC. It has been a long day, but one full of great memories.

Beach Bums

I miss my baby boys!

I miss my funny little grandbabies so badly. They make me smile and laugh every day!

Finally!

What we're up to....

Hello all! So sorry for the delay in posting. The so-called internet service at our campground is barely present. We cannot get on at all most of the time, and when we can actually connect it is terribly slow. I have tried to upload pics about 15 times and it just won't let me.

Anyway, what have we been up to? Beach, shopping, Starbucks, beach, shopping, Starbucks, beach, shopping, Starbucks! We are staying in a wooded campground that has the feel of being out in the country (except the noise: traffic, airplanes, sirens, etc.) but we are actually in the middle of the city. We spent the morning of the 4th sleeping in late, then going to Starbucks (duh!), then to the beach! We came back that evening and cleaned up, and headed back down to the Oceanfront for the evening. We ate at an incredible buffet that served all kinds of seafood! Yummy! Then we hit a few gift shops, grabbed our towells and blankets and headed down to the beach for fireworks. We were so excited to be able to watch them over the ocean! The waves were huge and choppy that night and we laughed as we watched people try to stand up to them (interpretation: watched them be rolled up on the beach and buried in sand). It got later and later and still no fireworks. Finally people started leaving. Come to find out, they cancelled them because of the rough and choppy waves (they were supposed to fire them from a barge). We returned to our camper with some very unhappy girls!

Yesterday, we decided to shop! We bought gifts for everyone, and the girls bought alot of stuff at Bath & Body Works. I decided to try B&BW's lip plumper! The first time I put it on, I must have gotten more on the right side of my lips than the left side. You guessed it: big ole fat lip on one side - not so much on the other! Too funny!!! I also found my first pagoda at Pottery Barn. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, a pagoda is an Asian style house/building. It's the ones that have the saggy pointed roofs. It was originally the style of Buddist temples and is still the style of their temples. However, the style is now used on alot of homes and resturauts and gazeboes, etc. But I want to collect them because they remind me of Sydney in China and also they remind me of what she is not going to have to experience (forced religion). Besides that, they are so cute! Then we decided to try to find a Target. I got an address from 411 and decided I could find it with my trusty map. Well, and hour and a half later we returned to camp with no Target bags and the knowledge that the US Navy will not let just anyone on their base and they definately don't have a Target store in there. 'Nuff said.

I'll keep trying to post pics. We have some really great ones to share. See you soon!

Virginia Beach

After two looooooooong days of driving, we are in Virginia Beach!! We brought the camper to stay in. I love it. I would rather be in my camper than at a hotel any time. After arriving around 10pm and then setting up camp (fun), we slept in late this morning. We slowly got up and ran a few necessary errands, then headed for the beach! It is surprisingly cool here. The high was around 80 and the breeze off the ocean was cool. Very nice! I cannot get my laptop to upload pictures here, but I will keep trying.