Family Day at Hollins

Claire's college was hosting Family Day so Terry and I drove up and picked up her Dad (my brother Mike) on the way. She's a freshman at Hollins University and took us around campus and up to the Roanoke Star. We ended the weekend with a trip to Cracker Barrel!

Dinner with Work Friends

 After work, we went to Lockside Grill in Chesapeake. Always a blast with these ladies.

Valerie and Sheree....         Me and Ally

Below:

Me and April...   April, Val, Sheree, Shannon, Me and Ally...  Val and Sheree

New Years Day Hike

So, after a heavy brunch with Ally, Val, Jason and Cole-- it was decided that we should go take a hike to work off some of the food. First Landing State Park is a few minutes drive from our house and we decided to go and take one of the 5 mile hikes.

First Landing State Park is near the site of the first landing of Christopher Newport on 26 April 1607 as they established the first colony in Jamestown. The part is toughly 2900 acres.

So much beauty in one place! Even a swamp looks amazing here!

Val, Ally and I decided to hide in the woods from Jason and Val's son Cole to "scare" them, which started a domino effect of "scares" on the trail for the next 2 hours!

We just had to stop right here and take a moment to appreciate the view. It's insane to believe that this is just a few minutes drive from the house. 

Ah, Jason and Val make such great hike companions. Always up for a photo. Thanks Ally for taking!!

Sittin on the Dock of the Bay

Enjoyed some girl time with Valerie, Sheree and Ally at a dock near Ally's house on Broad Bay. It's absolutely amazing to sit down here with a nice glass of gin and tonic and wait for the sun to set through the clouds. We used my iPhone to take some pics using Sheree's flip flips o prop it up on a chair and then I leaned UNDER the dock to get a shot of their feet dangling from the dock in black and white. So much fun with these guys!

Boardwalk and Bikes

It was the American Music festival at the oceanfront tonight, so Lisa and I took some bikes out to the boardwalk and listened to a few bands, had a few drinks and some dinner. So much fun hangout out with her. She is definitely one of the most awesome people that I know!

Beach is Not for Bears

College is for Bears

 Hollins University is definitely for bears! Took  few hours to drive Claire up to tour the campus and it was beautiful and amazing. I can definitely see her going here.

 

Museums are for Bears

Feeling Artsy

Took Rayna to the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk.

Sunset

Such a pretty night to hang out with my friend Ally and watch the sunset.

Williamsburg Trip

Started the morning with a trip to the Williamsburg Winery for a tour and tasting!

Entrance and Me, of course, taking a selfie!

The basement where the wine is kept!

There is a LOT of mold on the walls. It's a little disconcerting..

 More wine. (This is ALL RED)

 This is the Special Tasting Room.

 The swine bottler and a cask of red.

This is how the WHITE wine is kept.. 

WINE TASTING TIME!!

#12014 John Adlum Chardonnay 

#2 2015 Midsummer Nights White

#3 2015 Governor's White

#4 2014 Arundel Cabernet Sauvignon (LiKED THIS ONE A LOT)

#5 2014 Barrel Aged Claret

#6 2014 Gabriel Archer Reserve (I LOVED THIS ONE)

#7 Vin Lecoreux de Framboise

#8 Jamestown Cellars Settlers Spiced Wine

Then we went into Old Town Williamsburg to see a bit and have some lunch

Friday at the Chrysler

Ami and I went to the Chrysler Museum today and spent several hours enjoying the art and history as well as the glass blowing demonstration. At the bottom of this post if a very long video of the glass blowing demo. It was pretty awesome!

Video of the glass blowing..