Norfolk or Bust.

I feel like such a jet setter this year.  Haha.  Its ok to laugh at that statement.  Its not like I'm off to all kinds of places, but compared to the last few years (maybe one trip/year), I've so far made a trip to Minot, to Charlotte, and now to Norkfolk - all since October!  Eden has been a wonderful travel companion.  :)  She seriously is a super traveler!  We have one more big trip planned this year after Eden turns ONE, so we'll see if she can hold her "super traveller" status!

This trip was a long time coming.  My mom took Eden and I out to see Amy and Andrew in Norfolk.  My parents and Andrew's parents have visited a few times each, but I had yet to see their life in Virginia.  Its amazing how tricky it is to find a long weekend away when your husband is a pastor, you have three kids, and life just keeps on moving.  Finally, we found a great weekend to go for an extra long stay because Amy had some days off around MLK day.  Perfect!

I left Eau Claire early on Thursday morning and we flew MSP to Detroit, then on to Norfolk.

With a layover long enough for some lunch/dinner, we were able to enjoy our layover in Detroit.  Eden slept from MSP, so she was ready for some snacks!

She quickly fell asleep as we rushed to our flight to Norfolk.  Eden doesn't ride in a stroller much, I usually wear her.  But, for the airport, the stroller was a great help!  She's totally conked out on the tray!  Poor girl!

Needless to say, she was exhausted enough to sleep her way to Norfolk.

 We got to Norfolk pretty late Thursday night after a long day of travel, so we just visited A & A's loft quickly before heading to the hotel for sleep.  Eden and I slept until 10am!  In my defense, that was actually 9am central time, but STILL!  Crazy!  John and I always wonder how late she would sleep if the boys didn't wake her...  Now we know!  So, by the time we got ready, we officially missed breakfast and even brunch.  So, it was straight to lunch at a favorite: the Baker's Crust.  Yummy!  It was just the girls since Andrew was at class on Friday.

 Then by my request, we hit the mall!  Since Andrew was busy, I figured it was a good day to shop.  And we did.  We shopped til we dropped.  Even Amy complained of her feet hurting by the end of the day.  We had to show Eden how Girls' Trips really work in our family.  :)  It was so fun to walk the mall and shop around - something I never, ever have time for.  I loved being with Amy and my mom, too!  We had so much fun!

I got lots of goodies, but the funniest was this J.Crew stocking hat.  It was projected to be super negative temps at home, but in Norfolk where it was upper 50s, I bought a winter hat.  Ironic, I think.  I sent this photo home to tell the boys I got a new sledding hat!

Eden was fun to shop with.  She enjoyed the stroller, looking around the mall, and then she fell asleep in the stroller when she was tired.  Eventually the stroller became our shopping cart and I wore Eden in the Ergo carrier.  When we got back to Amy's loft to meet up with Andrew, Eden enjoyed playing and sporting a new headband and clip we bought her.

That night Amy and Andrew took us to Luna Maya an authentic Mexican restaurant with so much style.  It was so much fun and so yummy!  Skinny Margaritas all around (except for Andrew and Eden...of course).

The girls, minus Eden.

Our hosts!

We were back to the Sheraton early after some fro-yo.  :)  Poor Eden fired up a fever around midnight and it was rough from then on.  She and I shared my bed and I was thankful to be able to snuggle her and sit up with her when she needed.  We used some tylenol to help her fever and she slept in again in the morning...only 9:15am this time.  :)  After a breakfast at the hotel with A & A we hit the boardwalk for some sunshine and a walk.  It was really nice to be out and feel warm in the sun!

We went into the entrance of the aquarium and I couldn't help but take this silly mermaid pic for the boys.  They would have loved the aquarium - we're a little obsessed with sea life at our house!

These mermaids are stationed all over Norfolk, kinda like the hands of Eau Claire or the Peanuts in St. Paul.

 The Battleship Wisconsin is in Norfolk, so that was worth a photo, too.

Mom & Amy!

More mermaids on the port.

Me and Eden!

Here we are with Amy and Andrew.  We were able to walk the boardwalk all the way from our hotel through downtown to their loft.  It was beautiful and I loved seeing the city.

Eden took a sweet little nap.

 I had to take a couple photos of the cute character and streets.  It felt very East Coast to me, although they consider themselves "southern" more than east coast.  Look at the cobblestone streets!  We remarked about no one having yards or even a patch of grass.  Its something we value in the Midwest and it was interesting that really no one had any place to play.  

After our walk, we headed back for an afternoon at the loft.  They have a very nice, pretty spacious studio loft in downtown Norfolk.  They can walk almost everywhere!  It was really a fun spot!  I think their loft is bigger than John & my first house.  :)  We spent the afternoon crafting - making some cute new bows and headbands and clips for Miss Eden.  Lucky lady.

 Saturday night we ate at Kincaids, just down the street from A & A's.  Eden wore her cute Christmas dress and was a super trooper for a long dinner.  We celebrated my Mom's birthday all weekend (1/21) so we really were spoiled with delicious meals out on the town.  Eden decided on this trip that she likes to be in charge of her pouch.  She was patient and used crayons like she knew what she was doing.  Probably from watching the boys all the time!  It was so cute!

We had to take this pic for Daddy and send it home: his girls out for a nice dinner.  :)

 Then it was back to the Sheraton for a bath.  Eden had been so easy for dinner I thought maybe it would be a better night, but her fever flared up again and it was a rough night.  Poor sick baby.

Even under the weather, she still had some smiles for us.  She would get a little energy right before bed and jump/lunge around on the bed like a trampoline!  I should have taken a video because it was hilarious!  My mom and I were dying laughing at her silly pre-bedtime acrobatics.

 After another rough night, Eden slept late again.  She was so tiny in that big bed, all surrounded by pillows while I got up to begin getting ready for the day.  Once she woke and had her tylenol, she was ready to go!

Panera was about the only place still serving breakfast (seriously - what late risers we were!) so we had lattes and yummy breakfast sandwiches with Amy and Andrew.  I should mention that Andrew LOVES his niece.  Its so sweet!  He would've held her all weekend, but she was a little unsure of Andrew (as she is with most guys).

Look at that sweet smile with Auntie and Uncle!

Breakfast before a tour of Andrew's med school.

So, Andrew took us on a quick walking tour of his school: EVMS.  Its a really nice school and he showed us the impressive facilities and labs.  He does really well in school and clearly is excited about it.  I enjoyed asking him questions and hearing him talk about his classes, his track, etc.  Eden wasn't 100% so she slept in the Ergo.  Thank goodness for the Ergo!  Phew!

 Then it was on to the BEACH!  Sunday was a really beautiful day!  60s!!  We drove out to Virginia Beach - about 20 minutes from Norfolk and walked the boardwalk.  Eden was happy in her stroller with a little snack.  We saw dolphin jumping and swimming close to shore and horses walking the beach.

 Of course Eden loved her first view of the ocean!

 Me and my girl at the ocean!

 Palm trees!  :)  I love these photos of us all!

We spent some time back at the loft before another yummy dinner out!

We ate at PF Changs (a favorite of mine) Sunday night.  Yum!  It was so fun and so delicious!

Sisters!

All the ladies!

 It was another birthday celebration night for Nana.  :)  Why not?  It was our last night.

 Before leaving on Monday, we went for breakfast and then back to Amy's loft where Eden took a snooze.  I was a little worried about traveling with her because her fever persisted.  She was pretty miserable at night 102-103 temp.  But she seemed a little better in the morning and luckily our flights were so short and relatively on-time.  Look at that crazy baby!!

 Amy and Andrew were good sports about all the baby gear: car seat, booster seat, stroller.  Here's a funny pic of the baby-less couple trying to pack up a car seat.  Baby gear always seems so tricky...takes some getting used to!  Eden was a trooper on the way home, sleeping each flight and breaking hearts.  We were so happy to be home!

We touched down in MSP late and Eden and I arrived home to EC around 10pm.  We were welcomed by this special spread from John.  He had dinner and some of my favorites waiting, along with pretty flowers and a card!  It was so sweet.  He did so great while I was away...it was great to be home!

Thanks to my mom for taking us along and to Amy and Andrew for being great hosts!  It was so much fun!  And Happy Birthday to my MOM.  Love you!