Happy Earth Day!

Goob & Grandma Lita at the Japanese Garden Japan? Nope this is in VA Beach! Goob loves her Grandparents Sorority Sister Julie Helveston's Bridal Shower on Sunday

Greg reading to "The Zoo" Greg showing his Mom the Super hornets

Hanging out on our porch Ava playing tug of war with her food with Grandma Lita

Tailgating my soccer game- Great Cheering Section!

My cheerleaders

Soccer Game- We won!

Hanging out at the aquarium Grandpa showing the fish above them to Ava (it was a cave type exhibit)

The Virginia Tech Dolphin at the aquarium Horse Shoe crab that you could touch- The guys did this- I was a wuss Petting the sting rays- they are SO soft! Jaws!

Ava and I at the Park

Daddy & Ava at the waterfall Showing Ava the water

playing in the field with the dogs

The dogs had a great time

Goob's first hike (thanks to Betsy & Erik's backpack they gave us!)

ready to go The dogs were surprisingly athletic through our hike

playing with babe Daddy about to give her a bath

Catching up on Ava's scrapbook

Ava's current favorite toy- cups so playful First I want to say that the little brown wiener dog is not our new dog (I know you are hyperventilating now mom) we were dog sitting for the week for our friends John and Nicole. The dog's name is Bubba and he is one of the sweetest dogs I have ever met. He has kept Penny on her toes and us entertained through out the week. We have coined our apartment "The Zoo" this week with the 2 dogs and the baby all wanting attention at once. Annie and I have been taking advantage of the local area by attending the free Pilates and Yoga classes that they have on base. Greg took advantage of the great weather we had for a few days and head to the golf course. One day we ventured to Red Wing park with the dogs and fell in love with the Japanese garden. We hiked through their wooded areas and let the dogs loose in the giant fields. Our goal is to visit all ten of the parks in Virginia Beach before the summer is over. Grandma and Grandpa came in for the weekend and we had a wonderful time with them. We went to the Aquarium with them and really enjoyed all the different hands on exhibits they had there. The gang then headed to Portsmouth for my soccer game. They were wonderful cheerleaders and were our good luck charms for the team- we won! The following day we took them to the squadron to view the superhornets (that Greg can't wait to finally fly in soon). We took them to Red Wing park as well because we knew that Grandma would love the gardens and landscaping. Ava had a great time playing with her grandparents and was all smiles for the weekend. Becca attended a bridal shower in Newport News for one of her sorority sisters (and soccer teammate) Julie Helveston. It was a classy wine & cheese themed shower where we all got to catch up with each other. We are thankful everyday for our proximity to our friends and family.

God Parents tour of Hampton Roads

Justin & Jess come into town for the weekend

Ava always makes us laugh The ladies we love living by the beach Greg gives us the tour of the Hangar The superhornets of VFA 106- "The Gladiators" Greg being the tour guide His dream plane He sits in the back seat wow

Jess giving Goob driving lessons Tailgating for my soccer game in Portsmouth

Touring Colonial Williamsburg The Valdez Bandits The Williamsburg Inn Looking at Goob in the stroller

Dress up everyday Williamsburg was in full bloom and it was breath taking

Pretty spring weather for about 2 hours Tulips are Jess' and my favorite Greg posing

Blessed.

Flower Child

Daddy with Goob Williamsburg was fun

Williamsburg Winery Tour

Exterior view of the winery

The grape fields More fields (not in harvest now)

Cheese tasting Yummy- HA Justin

Antique wine bottles Making notes about the wine cute our tour guide

Goob geared up for her tour with Daddy American & French Barrels The ultimate wine cellar

Justin giving Goob juice

Aunt Jess reading to Ava Story time

Laughing at Aunt Jess We had a very busy exciting weekend with Justin & Jess. We took a tour of nearly all of Hampton Roads. Our first stop was the Williamsburg Winery. We learned that it is the biggest winery in Virginia and has been established since the late 1800s. We toured the vicinity and learned all about the storage and fermenting of their wines. The group favorite was the Acte 12 Chardonnay which apparently was the favorite of the Queen's when she visited last year. We then did a walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg. All of the gardens were in bloom and it was stunning. We then took the tour to Becca's alma mater Christopher Newport University in Newport News. We then crossed back to the other side of the water to Portsmouth. The gang tailgated Becca's soccer game and were the team's good luck charm. We ended the night by eating at Waterman's Seafood house on the Virginia Beach boardwalk. The following day we got the tour of Greg's Squadron's hangar. It was really neat to see so many superhornets at once. Greg explained what all the equipment was on the plane while we were awestruck. We ended the trip by swinging by Sandbridge beach. We plan on taking advantage of our proximity to the ocean front all summer long. Uncle Justin and Aunt Jess promised they would return soon (even though Ava peed all over Aunt Jess!).