A (very bright) light at the end of the tunnel

Ah, now that's better!

My downer slum came to an abrupt halt as soon as those three ladies hopped off the plane.  I was (I admit) a wee bit (ok, an hour) early picking them up from the airport, and all went well with their travels both coming to Virginia and back home again.  Big sigh of relief there, because now I know they might consider coming back again one day.

Our first night was spent sitting in traffic for two hours (welcome to Hampton Roads!) and then at home eating home made pizza and catching up.  We hit target for a few crucial elements (Mom needs high fiber oatmeal, duh) and I drove them around a bit.  It took a few nights to figure out the sleeping arrangements for four girls and one guy in a one bedroom apartment, but eventually and with the generous help of our neighbors who loaned us their air mattress, we mastered the sleeping situation and tackled the week.

The girls and I went out to eat, toured Colonial Williamsburg, visited base, and made Easter dinner.  Jody joined us for a lighthouse visit and Saturday night block party.  We also spent a day at the beach getting completely toasted (by the sun, not booze) and enjoying each others company.  Fun was had by all, and I'm happy to report that mom survived both Jody and my driving habits.  Success!

It was hard to see them go, but I was happy to have a night with Jody before his own mom and sister came into town for a visit.  They arrived two days after my family left.  Cassie, Jody's poor sister got the short end of the stick when it came to flying.  She repeatedly got stuck at each airport and missed all of her connecting flights.  In the end, she wound up riding a bus from New York City to Norfolk, VA where we picked her up nine hours after her original arrival.  Yikes.  I have to hand it to her, though- she was an absolute trooper and all she needed was her brother and a plate of pancakes to get herself rolling again.

We drove to DC, checked out the monuments, stayed in a nice hotel, ate at yummy restaurants and (I) drank lots of coffee while (trying) to study for finals amidst the craziness.  It was a good trip, we all had fun and came back with some fun photos.  The only downside of the trip?

Oops.  We forgot we had a dog, and remembered last minute that we had scheduled a trip over the weekend without him.  Go ahead, judge, but that's exactly why we don't have children.  Anyway, we called a few friends who came and fed, watered, and cleaned up his crap while we were gone for the night, but apparently he got a little stir-crazy.  And that's okay.  Our fault.  He's still a good boy.  We love him.

I have billions and billions of pictures, and most of them are on facebook, so I'm only going to post a few of my favorites.  Thanks again to our awesome families for enduring the long trip to come and see us and for all of the fun we had.  We love you guys!

I'm not just blubbering, Jody was truly a trooper with three extra girls staying in the house.  He deserved this nap, and I am still amazed that both boys managed to sleep five feet away from a steamy kitchen full of Schuyler women.

Easter Dinner.  Mom made a yummy ham and the rest of us helped out with salads, deviled eggs, artichoke and goat cheese strata, mashed potatoes and gravy, and lotsa drank. 

Delicious.

Those girls loved that ocean.  Oh man, it was (dare I say...adorable?)  Seriously, though.  Although Jody and I were the first ones in while the rest of the crew settled on the beach, I went in once and did not enter again.  It was cold, and after one wave knocked me and my bikini bottom down, and I was out for the day.  

But not these two.  The played and played 'till they could play no more!  See why they make me so happy?

Beach babe.  This mama was hot and could have used an air conditioner.  Next time.

Aw.  Mom and me at Colonial Williamsburg.

 More Colonial goofballs.

We saw that lighthouse Jenny just had to see!  

Not really great quality, but still kind of fun.  

 Jody and his sister, Cassie and mom, Chris during dinner in D.C.

This is why I love this guy.  Firstly, look at him!  And because he's weird.  He randomly and very quietly just took off away from us girls while walking around Georgetown and started climbing a wall.  But I caught him. What a weirdo.

Just a few more...

 Cassie on our bus tour; the bus tour that Chris was NOT happy with.  Everyone knew that by the end of the weekend :)

 SOME parts were cool...

Family photo- and I made it in the shot!

I am very blessed to have married into such an awesome family.