Friday, August 14, 2009

Summer Fun Together











Some good things never last. Two days ago, our friends and we went out of town to Virginia Beach. It took more than three hours' drive. We started at 5:30 in the morning.

There were four families, and we led the convoy. The last family (seen here before the sunrise picture) didn't make it till about 11 at night because Michelle came off work at 3 (and you know how it goes - a nurse never gets to go out the door till AT LEAST an hour afterwards). Anyway, we were all nurse women, and our families have met here and become friends over the years. Some of our children were born here, and we have come to learn and accept the realities of life in America, our home away from home. We've all seen each other through joys and tragedies, and have that bond that can last a lifetime.


We had good fun, just goofing around and being silly, for two days and a night. Joseph and Michelle's family almost didn't make it because the tunnel was closed due to some flooding - my, my, the rains in Virginia! Aris had to navigate them by map from our hotel room.


It was a wonder we had some sun at all - well, that's not very kind. The first three families all headed to the beach right away - around noon - and it was HOT! I neglected to put sunscreen on my back because I'd been kept busy chasing the boys who were literally riding the waves, which, by the way, happened to be VERY STRONG. Matthew admitted to having 'drowned' - he might have gotten swept, and fought it back, so he stayed awhile on the shore making sand castles. I didn't like that part of the beach, the strong waves. Plus, it was much too crowded for my taste. No shells. And the sand was brown, though fine. (No, I am NOT complaining.)


Well, I think I may have lost a good two pounds from the heat alone. We were there for a solid 5 hours. Our tans are amazing, but my shoulders hurt. I'm sure the skin will peel off in a few days. That's not good, and not right to ignore the sunscreen. Don't do that. Skin cancer is a nasty business. It crusts, it hurts, it weeps. Of course, it harbors nasty microorganisms, including MRSA. And when you have it, you have it for life. Don't be like me, I make a very bad patient sometimes.


Where was I? Oh. The heat. Well, it started drizzling around 5 and the lifeguards started shooing all swimmers and beachcombers away. It was funny listening to their frantic whistles. We went back to our hotel rooms and watched the dolphins bobbing up and down from afar, and also the lifeguards combing the shore in their truck, back and forth, to make sure that the beach stayed empty.


There were plans to jog and boogey board and swim some more and take shots of the sunrise and with the sunrise, but I was too bushed. Only Aris represented our family. And I wasn't going to wake a 3-year-old to watch the sunrise anyhow when all Mommy wanted was more and more sleep. So Aris enjoyed the daybreak with our friends. I like that shot of the sun with a seagull in the distance.


After checking out, we all headed to Williamsburg Outlet to check out some clothes and stuff. But it was raining so hard so we were running in the rain, and getting all soaked, going from one shop to another. It was hilarious. Some shoppers crossed the road with shopping bags over their heads. The babies with us? No problem. I had Tylenol in the car, and I am sure my friends did, too.


We got home around 8 last night.



Summer's slipping by. As I type this, I'm trying to think of the open house on the 20th where we will meet Matthew's second grade teacher for the first time. Where has all the summer gone? I was so worried we wouldn't be able to keep the boys busy enough, but in truth, I have not even written enough of what we had done. I had even cancelled some of my son's activities because of time constraints. Summer's been fun but too short.


Oh well. Time for everything. Let's see what the next season brings. Hope you enjoyed the pictures! I have so much more, saved for next time, okay? Hope you all have a good weekend! I'm going to nurse my sunburn!
















27 comments:

Leslie said...

Looks like such a fun time! You are so lucky to have such a wonderful group of friends to be able to share your time with!

I agree, summer as been fun but too short!

Droomvla said...

You look gorgeous and sexy, dahleng! Bagan kasiram magkarigos dida sa dagat. Wara daw pating? lol

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh Cherie, That looks like so much fun. I love seeing kids playing in the sand. Love your first picture with you and your sweetie... I'm so glad you had a wonderful vacation and got a great tan.

Hugs,
Betsy

Stephanie Faris said...

Thank you for sharing. I feel like I just had a little mini-vacation!

Unknown said...

I haven't had a vacation in many years so looking at your pics is like taking a mini one. Thanks so much for sharing and take care of that sunburn. MRSA is no joke. I researched it for an article. Yikes!

happyone said...

Looks like a fun time was had by all. Great to see all the pictures.

•°°• IcyBC •°°• said...

Cherie,

What happens to the big fonts? My eyes are have tears trying to read this wonderful summer time fun! Or maybe I'm too old and passed my bed time already?

Looks like you guys having a great time!

cherie said...

My dearest Ladies, thank you for all the compliment , we all did enjoy or time together. Icy, hah, I am so sorry - please do the zoom level at the very bottom of this page (in per cent form) in the meantime. I tell you, I had not posted the pictures I wanted myself, I was getting cross-eyed! I am sorry. Will do better next time. Thank you, again, everyone. And yes, Judy, oooh, MRSA bad, tsk, tsk. Hello, Jam, Maris, Ms. Betsy,Steph, and Ms. Happyone! Have a good weekend!

buday said...

Nini, re pic # 1: Next time, magKUGOS tabi ha.

Hakhakhak.

rainfield61 said...

By the time our keeper awake, this starts our next journey. Better time will come again the next day, though today ended so fast.

Have fun!!!....

Tana said...

What a beautiful post! The Lord has richly blessed your summer!

cherie said...

binalyuhan ko na, melodie, ikaw talaga. ;)

thanks, rainfield, i agree.

thank you, T.Anne, He has.

betchai said...

Oh Che, was it Aris who took that sunrise picture? Lovely!!!!! You and I are opposite, it is I who wakes up for sunset while Khai stays in dreamland, hahaha!!!!!

glad to see your happy pictures, the water and the sand are always fun! but yeah, big waves can be dangerous for kids.

hope yu have a good weekend Che.

cherie said...

hi, bethsky, yes, it was aris who took the shot. he also went swimming and boogey boarding and jogging at 5:30 in the morning. i couldn't have done it with two little boys in tow (although that's only my excuse, hahah!). so khai likes to sleep in, too!:)

buday said...

Hahaha! Pinalitan! That's more like bibi.

cherie said...

naalo baya ako, ikaw talaga...:)hala, enjoy!

Unknown said...

I thought I recognized the beach!
My Mom lives there I I was going down every few months for a number of years.
I will be down again but I have to get better still.

cherie said...

you are in my prayers, sir whitemist. a speedy recovery for you. God bless, sir.

Anonymous said...

What fun!
I don't even want to think of summer being over1
BEautiful shot, very appropriate.

ronell

cherie said...

thanks, ronell!

Ebie said...

What a fun summer activities with friends and family!
This is my main blog.

cherie said...

most fun, ate ebie! thank you po!

Elle Bee said...

What awesome pictures! Love the sunset--beautiful. Looking forward to fall!
Elle

cherie said...

oh, elle bee, i wa just telling a friend that!! me, too!

ladyviral said...

Oooh I missed going to a beach... haven't to one since last year... hmmm... ok... doesn't long ago... but I still miss going to one hehe.

Glad you had lots of fun!

java girl said...

Oh what fun... I miss the feel of sand in my toes. It only happens when I go out back to our sandbox now :O)

cherie said...

hihi - well, summer's not quite over yet, you still have time! thanks for coming by, ashley!

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