Christmas 2014

I bought Aidan a train to go under the tree this year!  So excited!  My dad always put one under the tree for us growing up.  His was special though, he got a new piece every year for Christmas.  It's a very old, very special train set and I will always cherish those memories.  Anyhow, back to Aidan's train set.  I think he destroyed it by day 3, too much excitement and just wouldn't leave the thing alone.  Maybe next year.

Christmas pictures w/Santa.  Total disaster again this year.  Aidan, was of course, still terrified of him.  Refused to sit on his lap.  He finally sat on my lap, then sat came and posed w/us.  Not even going to bother next year.  We'll go back to Bass Pro Shop as they had fun Christmas activities, but not dealing w/Santa, unless Aidan shows interest.

We went to a live Nativity Scene at the Assembly of God church just down the road.  Aidan loved all the wild animals.

Ron somehow managed to have both Christmas Eve AND Christmas Day off!  Woot!  Totallly unexpected for intern year, but what a pleasant surprise.  I was so excited this year, we bought Aidan a play grill and used money from the grandparents to buy a scooter and helmet.  I couldn't wait for Christmas morning!  Woot!  Of course Aidan loved his present, but by the time he had opened, like 3, he was totally over whelmed, only wanted to play w/the open ones, and wanted nothing to do w/any more present or us for that matter.  Oh, well.

Virginia Beach Christmas Lights

So, we're living near the beach.  Another first, Christmas lights ON the boardwalk.  Awesome!  You actually drive along the boardwalk, enjoying Christmas music and Christmas lights from your car!  Genius.  Especially since it was cool (relatively speaking) outside!  Loved seeing and listening to the waves!

Botanical Garden Christmas Lights

I had heard that they Botanical Gardens are not just beautiful, but they have the most amazing light show at Christmas time.  So, since my husband is an intern and never home, my girlfriend, Lexi, (whose husband is also a Gen Surg intern) and I took Aidan to get into the Christmas spirit.  And people were not kidding!  Absolutely breathtaking.  The pictures don't do it justice!

Beachy Adventures

I told Ron when he was preparing to apply for residencies, to be happy I either wanted to live in the mountains or near the beach!  I got the beach and I LOVE it here!  What is even more fun, is there are some days throughout the Fall where the temperatures reach a balmy 70 degrees, screaming out for a beach day!  And there is no one on the beach, we have it to ourselves.  So we walked in the water & did some shell hunting!  Just the sounds of the waves are incredibly relaxing!
Buckroe Beach

Fort Story Lighthouse
 The Cape Henry Lighthouse stands near the "First Landing" site of the Jamestown settlers, and was authorized by George Washington and overseen by Alexander Hamilton. Completed in 1792, the construction of the Cape Henry Lighthouse was one of the first acts of the newly formed Federal government.The lighthouse was active use for nearly a century before being replaced by a new cast iron lighthouse still standing nearby. It is one of the oldest surviving lighthouses in the United States.  (http://www.virginia.org/Listings/HistoricSites/CapeHenryLighthouses/)