Summertime and the living is easy

After my Girl's weekend in NYC, I got to spend 4 days in Richmond, Virginia with Whitney and Devin's family. Whitney had her last week of "work" (nannying baby Charlotte),

so she'd go to work and Sarah and the kids and I would hang out. On Monday I dropped Sarah, Eva and Sophie off at the Children's museum and I went to the Chimborazo Hospital. I am a huge Civil War History buff and Richmond is full of history. The Chimborazo Hospital was built during the Civil war for the Confederate soldiers. I was the only visitor while I was there so I got lots of personalized attention. It was really fascinating especially since I had just read a book, My Name is Mary Sutter, about a woman doctor during the Civil War.

Sophie had a a great time swimming in the wading pool later that afternoon

We went to a really fun Food Truck rally on the grounds of the Richmond Art museum on Tuesday evening. Whitney had her last cake decorating class at Hobby Lobby so she couldn't come. Here's a picture of her final project

The Taco truck had some amazingly delicious tacos and we also shared a potato pizza.

On Wednesday we drove to Williamsburg and had lunch at Chick Fila, shopped at the Outlet mall, and then went to Buckroe beach in Newport News. It was the greatest day ever, according to Eva. The ocean temperature was perfect.

We celebrated Devin's birthday when we got home that evening.

It's tradition that Eva and I make cupcakes, so we made some copycat "pink" Sprinkles strawberry cupcakes for our picnic on Thursday.

We met Devin for a picnic at Maymont. It is a beautiful old plantation house with beautiful gardens.

Sarah took some fun pictures, but it was so hot and muggy we were ready for some air conditioning.

Friday morning Whitney and I took the big blue "mega bus" down to Raleigh, NC where Sara, Lucy and Zachy met us. We ate lunch at Allen & Sons barbecue in Chapel Hill. It came highly recommended (Food Network Magazine)and I thought it was pretty good.

We then drove around Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina.

and then shopped at an awesome southern cooking store. Saturday we had an awesome picnic in Pinehurst and played at the playground

and we found another cupcake store (we appear to be obsessed)It has become our quest to try every cupcake store we find!

Jon and Zachy did yard work and Sara, Whitney, Lucy and I had a fun day shopping at Steinmart and then we met Jon for pizza at the Mellow Mushroom.

Whitney and I watched Zach and Lucy while Sara and Jon went to see the new Batman movie on Saturday night.

It was fun to go to church with the Cardon's on Sunday and on Monday Whitney and I flew home (after a lost key adventure), Whitney to Salt Lake and me to Boise. Thanks Devin, Sarah, Eva, Sophie, Sara, Jon, Lucy and Zachy for all the summertime fun!