Richmond, VA to Sterling, VA!

We did not leave the state today! Yeah us!  :-) Courtney and I had a wonderful surprise this am.  Slightly serendipitous one might say.. Dan went for a run and passed a lady that looked familiar at the farmer's market down the street from their home.  Turns out it was Barb... Kriszta's Mom. Kriszta is a dear friend of both Courtney and mine who died from cancer after we three graduated from the VCU MSW program together.  Barb does not live in the area all year. For Dan to come across her while I am in town... and for Dan to actually REMEMBER Barb and encourage her to come over to say hey is truly amazing to me.  It was beautiful for us all to get to talk about Kriszta.  It was a gift.

After leaving Courtney WAY TOO SOON! the kids and I went to one of my favorite places to hang out and think while I was living in Richmond... Maymont Park. Beautiful grounds and a petting zoo & exhibits for the kids.  The black bear and the Japanese Gardens were our favorites. Pictures have been taken but can not be shared yet. I am not traveling with my own computer so I do not want to hook my camera up to just anything! 

We all worked up an awesome appetite on those hills so we headed for the fan... a great neighborhood in downtown Richmond that got it's name from the fact that the streets follow that shape and fan out from a central location. We had a great meal and walked around while this Mommy said... Daddy and I used to eat here and my friends and I used to hang out there!  

Tori was in desperate need of a haircut and was treated to a big girl experience at a salon.  She ate it up.

We headed up North to Tom and Jennifer (and Thomas III!!!) Kalka after driving through VCU grounds.  Tom, Eric and I went to school together, were in ROTC together, and Tom is Eric's little brother in their fraternity.  Tom was also in our wedding! So needless to say a good friend who just moved in to a beautiful new home and was ready, willing, and kind enough to have us stay for a couple of days!!!  

I have to say Jennifer is amazing. Not only does she keep the Kalka boys in line, works full time in a high-powered job with Mommy flexibility!.. she is also the Chairman of their community fair.  More to come on that tomorrow 'cuz that is what we get to experience as her guest!! If she was not so lovely she would be intimidating.  :-)

OK I just helped myself to a little bit more wine Jennifer poured me and I know this friendship was meant to be... a very nice Viognier from Argentina. My fav!!!  aHHHH life is good and I am surrounded by amazing people. 'Night!