Monday, September 3, 2012

Virginia Beach....well, the beach


 
Why would anyone go to Virginia Beach and not go to the beach.  We made it every day, but one (Christopher made it every day for a little bit) and found it to be very relaxing.  Matthew, of course, wasn't at all excited about being in the ocean, but we did make him go in with us a couple of times as we think it's important to try things...even when you're scared.  Christopher had some troubles initially (the first day only), but Shannon (Colleen's cousin Jackie's wife) got him to go in on day 1 (I believe there's a post about our first day at the beach).  Christopher loves that girl.  Once he got in and felt around a bit, it was almost impossible to get him out of the water.  We had some knock-out-drag-out fights pulling him out when it was time to leave the beach (usually followed immediately by a long, semi-comatose nap.  Anyway, here are some of the pics we got at the beach.


Matthew chilling out on the beach and Christopher taking a rare break from the water to play Daddy's iPod Touch.


 Matthew and Mommy in the ocean.  This was one of the 2 times that we got him to "almost" willingly get in to the ocean.  He wasn't at all happy about it initially, but he got into it after a few minutes.  He wasn't so into it that he would venture out any further than Mommy's beach chair though....even with Daddy or Shannon!





There's always time for frisbee or a game of catch on the beach.  The boys also had a fun time throwing the ball around with different family members.  

Christopher had a blast playing in the ocean all week...mostly with his cousin, Kaylee, who also loved playing in the ocean.  I was able to get some shots of the two of them playing together from the shore, but only a few turned out. Christopher "The Giant Sea Otter" Kane took well to the water I think.










Christopher and his cousin, Kaylee playing in the water while Christopher's uncle, Pat, rides a wave

 This is what Matthew did mostly on the beach...play for about an hour, then conk out!

























 ...and finally, there's always time for some PB&J....even on the beach!

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Virginia Beach - Excursion 3: Mount Transhmore

One of the things Trip Adviser recommended was a cool park called Mount Trashmore.  Apparently, this was a park, located about 10-15 minutes from the beachfront, that was evolutionized from a landfill into a free recreation area.  There is 1 small park with a picnic area, a huge hill (I can only assume that the hill is...or should I say "was"...the actual landfill, and a larger and more elaborate park on the other side of the hill.  It was a very impressive spectacle to say the least.  We went to the larger park with the boys and let them play a bit.  It was rather hot, so we didn't stay awfully long, but it was a fun park.  Christopher and I even took a trip up the hill to the top where we wrestled a bit and I taught him how to roll down a hill without killing himself.  I almost killed myself with the momentum I created showing Christopher how to roll, but it was really rejuvenating and  a lot of fun for all of us.  The best part is that it was FREE!  Free always makes fun things more fun!
 

Christopher rolling down the hill...sort of a work in progress.
Nice view of downtown Virginia Beach from the top of Mt. Trashmore