Oh What a Year!

It was almost a year ago that I posted on here the adventures I wanted the Busy Bryants to go on during 2012.  If you don't remember it you can read that post here.  I remember when I wrote that post it seemed like a wish list of things I really wanted us to do but didn't think we would be able to find the time to ever get to.  I am happy to say we really did get a lot marked off that list! 

In January we spent a few days in a cozy cabin with the kids and my parents.  James River State Park is every bit as picturesque as their web site describes.  I think a return trip in the Summer to go tubing is in order.

In February we headed to Nelson County and tried our luck at snow tubing and zip lining.  Then we warmed up by hitting a few wineries on the way home.  Awesome day!



In March we visited friends in Harrisonburg and celebrated birthdays. 

In late March, early April, the races started gearing up...............lord why do we torture ourselves?



Shamrock 5K



Monument 10K

  

Muddy Buddy

In May we finally got to go on one adventure I have been eyeing for a couple years!  We went on a river boat tour of the Rappohannock River.  The fact that a winery was also on the tour was a total surprise...haha.  Ok yea I knew.  So what. 



Ingelside Winery

In June we slipped off to Orlando with my sister and my brother-in-law.

Emma started it!



I don't LIKE it!

We came home from Orlando just to pack our bags and head to Tennessee in early July.  We stayed in an absolutley amazing house with some even more amazing friends. 

We came home...recooperated just a bit and had some fun doing the biking and running thing again :)

High Bridge State Park

High Bridge State Park

Pre Color me Rad

 

Post Color me Rad

The Color Me Rad race still has to be one of my favorites!  I'm already signed up for 2013. 

In August I went on a little camping trip in Natural Tunnel State Park.  It was breath taking.  Not just because it was beautiful...but also because we had to share the camp with skunks :)



In September we visited another place I had really been wanting to check out.  Westmoreland State Park and Colonial Beach. 

Westmoreland State Park

 

Westmoreland State Park



In October we took our second trip to Manassas to watch Tommy run.  Then we hit up a pretty awesome come maze. 



Hmmmmmmmmm



November was a time to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for.  We celebrated Thanksgiving and spent time with family.  We spent a weekend at Bear Creek State Park and marked that adventure off our list :)

We also ran the last race of the year for us.....The Dunkin' Donuts Munchkin Run

In December we completed the year with a great adventure/surprise birthday celebration for my mom.  We went to Virginia Beach and checked out the lights on the boardwalk!  

Whew!  As I was go back looking at all the things we did this year I feel so blessed that so many of the things we did were with our family.  At times the kids complain that they feel like we are always on the go...but when we sit down and talk about all the things we've done they just smile, laugh and then say how much they enjoyed it...But it's not nearly as much as I've enjoyed spending the time with them.

I know there were a lot of pictures for this post....and you know what....even with all the adventures I posted and pictures it's still not really a list of ALL the things we did.  It was an amazing year!  I can't wait to see what next year holds :)

Colonial Beach

While exploring the Northern Neck region this last weekend, Mark and I made a stop in Colonial Beach.  Located on the Potomac the town itself started as a get-a-way for people living in Washington D.C.  I think the draw today is that you can enjoy the sandy beaches and still feel like you are in a small hometown.  Residents get around town on golf carts and there seemed to be a church on every corner. 

Not knowing what we would find in the town we had made arrangements to stay at Breakers Bed and Breakfast.  Along with The Tides Inn, Breakers is a cute spot to stop and spend a night.  There were a few other small hotels/motels in the area but even with the summer fading the area was busy with tourists coming and going, so I'm glad we made prior arrangements. This particular B & B is just down the street from High Tides Restaurant and The Black Pearl Tiki Bar :)  Can you guess where we had dinner and stopped to listen to the band play?



Breakers Bed and Breakfast



This baby was in our bathroom :)

Our room



Wine is served on the porch at 5 o'clock



Tides Inn just across the street from The Breakers



Food and Music just two short blocks away

We could sit on the front porch and hear the music playing from down the street.  The breeze off the water mixed with the music and the wine left out on the porch chilling made for a more relaxed Momma....and since we had Emma I needed all the help relaxing I could get.  Terrible 2s....need I say more?



On the deck at High Tide Restaurant



 

There is a pier for fishing, a half dozen or so other restaurants near by a gourmet food shop to grab a few goodies and everything is within walking distance.  If your willing to go for a short drive there are two wineries, Oak Crest and Ingleside, to tour and do tastings.  We've been to both....I blogged about them here.  There is also George Washington's Birthplace and Robert E. Lee's Birthplace available nearby to tour.  Of course Westmoreland State park is also just a short drive south of here.  Plenty to do and lots of beautiful Virginia to see.

I'll just park myself here please :)