Getting shape in Virginia...sort of

Jake, body surfing in the Atlantic

Apologies for the long lag in posts but we've been having so much fun, I've had a hard time keeping up.  We made it to Virginia and immediately, Jake and my friend Jennie's kid, Jett took off and they were inseparable all week.  We went to the beach, swimming in the pool, and we even introduced Jett to The Bass Pro Shop (can you believe anyone hasn't been there?  :) ).  If you have kids, you can understand how well they got along when I say that they had one fight all week after not only playing together every day but living together as well....and Jennie and I were lucky enough not to even be there for that one.  I also got to catch up with old friends.  Jennie threw me a party and I was so overwhelmed by all the people came...it was great to catch up with everyone.

Slightly disturbing that there was a deer head stuffed
animal, but the kids enjoyed it.

Jennie, Ray (my "old" boss), and me

Jennie, me, Fabiola by Jennie's pool, pre-party

Jennie is one of my friends that inspire me to try to get back in shape...well, at least try to take on a different shape.  (She's going to be irritated with me for writing about her...I'm trying to see how many times I can say Jennie in one post)  The first day we were here she was in a stand up paddle board race and paddled 10 miles in the ocean!!  She managed to get me to swim laps in her pool in the mornings, run a few times, and get this...I went to a cross fit class.  For those of you who have never done that, well...I still can't walk very well.  But we had a great time and I think it might have been the kick in the tail I've been looking for (as I sit here eating my Hardees biscuit in my running attire...I made need a harder kick).

She's going to kill me for putting this up, but I think she looks
great...plus, I don't think she reads the blog anyway :)

We're at another friend's house now, in Norfolk, and Jake is having fun going to Vacation Bible School in the morning and playing tourist with me in the afternoon.  We went to visit the U.S.S Wisconsin yesterday along with the nautical museum here and he had a blast.  He got to build a little submersible with pvc pipe and motors and actually drove it in the water.  Unfortunately, I didn't take my camera so I can't share, but I can assure you he has a pretty good chance at engineering in the future!

Andy is doing well...he's got about six more weeks and then he'll be heading back to Pohnpei.  He seems to be happy enough, although I think he's officially over the working thing and ready to go back into retirement :).