Virginia Girls Night 2018

Not our best work in the selfie department, but a wonderful weekend night out with ladies I love. Thanks to the men for staying in with the kids. (Not pictured, Kevin out the night before with Cory, Roger, and Brian.)

Ericka, Megan, Janice, Meghan

Girls' Weekend at Dewey Beach 2016

For Girls' Weekend this year we went to Dewey Beach for the Dewey Goes Pink 5K and walk. Ash, Megan, and I were going to do the 5K and Janice and Christina were going to do the walk but poor Christina got sick. We had a lovely roomy Air BnB condo by the beach, which we enjoyed despite the rain. The 5K was scenic, but the best part of the weekend besides the amazing people participating was the after party. Holy cow, Dewey knows how to party. There were mixed drinks, beer, roast pig, mac n' cheese, and cookies, though the cookies went very fast. Live music! Group toasts! Just so much fun and all for a good cause.

Pre-race picture in the rain.

The three that have been to all the Girls Weekends.

The three in the 5K

We were sad to split up from Janice when she went to the walk area and we went to the walk area. And we were jealous when she texted us that she was already done.

Getting ready for the 5K. Do you see us? (Hint: close to 1A sign.)

And we're off!

Yes!

After the race, we met at a designated location so we wouldn't all get lost.

The three that were done first, grabbing many beers.

Toasting with Crush mixed drinks at the after party. Woo!

There was so much delicious food.

Sorry Porky.

The band was really good.

It kept raining on us, so we decided to go back and have Megan's Magic Hurricanes. Which we did. Which then rendered us unable or unwilling to go out and party. But we had a lot of fun at the condo and did ultimately get dressed to go to dinner.

Heading back post-race with extra Hurricane orange juice.

Next year, if it's not raining, maybe we can drink at the beach?

Post-Hurricane-drinking dressed and posing with Seahorse Christina (we missed you!)

Selfie where Megan made a funny face so she got cut out.

Making pouty faces because Janice went home early because she's a new mom!

We ended up back at The Starboard for dinner. Dinner was yummy but the hurricanes started catching up with us, and we started feeling ill. So we walked back after dinner, now in the POURING RAIN. We felt grateful it hadn't rained in the 5K. We swear.

Megan and me before the Hurricanes caught up with us

Ash pretending to hug Janice and Christina- I promised I'd photoshop but nah.

Sunday morning, we were recovered, so we went to Greenman Juice Bar & Bistro in Rehoboth, and then we tried to do a little souvenir shopping but everything said Rehoboth so I guess it's just going to be the race shirt. I'm super excited for the next Girls' Weekend. Soon I hope!

Brunch at Greenman Juice Bar & Bistro was extra delicious!

Dewey Goes Pink raised $65,000+ this year (Almost $300,000 in the six years it has been held.)

*My Race Stats:
Time: 43:09.9, Pace: 13:55/mile, Place: 888/1207
37 F, Bib #197, Division 30-39 F, Division Place: 116/150
Worse time than last 5K, but the ranking made me feel less bad, haha.

Visiting Megan, Ed, Will, and Max 2016

We visited Megan, Ed and their kids Will and Max in Maryland. Janice and Darren came too. We got to see their (no longer so new) lovely house, and the kids played together in the playroom and in the back yard. Ed grilled up some burgers and hotdogs for us. We had a really great time.

Megan, me, Janice

This was my first time meeting Max!

James and Will had so much fun together!

Ed and Megan

Janice and Darren

Kevin keeping an eye on the kids in the playroom

Will, James, and Miranda in the kiddie pool

Ed and Max checking the pool

Darren, Megan, Janice

Me, Miranda, Kevin

Dads and kids having dinner

Saying goodbyes

Baby Maxwell T. 2015!

Megan and Ed had a second equally adorable son, Maxwell. I'm counting down until I can get back down to the DC-area to meet him. Congratulation Megan and Ed!

Snoozing cutie!

Max takin a nap under the watchful eye of big brother Will

• Most recent visit with Megan, March 2015

Girls' Weekend in NYC 2015

We had a very short Girls' Weekend this year, which could more accurately be called Girls' Night. We didn't plan in advance and we realized that since Megan is due in May, we might not be able to squeeze in another one for a long time. Despite the quick planning we had a really nice time. We started with pre-dinner drinks at The Growler in the Financial District. And their poutine is unique but tasty.

Megan, Ash, me at The Growler

Laurie, Janice, Christina

Our attempt to get a group picture with George Washington... in the dark

Then we had a super fancy dinner at White Street in Tribeca. I didn't take any pictures of us in the restaurant but this was our view from our booth. When we got there at 6 it was pretty empty but it was totally full when we left. Our appetizers and main dishes were yummy, and we shared wine and desserts.

White Street

After dinner we walked over to a cute little bar I really liked, Anotheroom. I wish our visit had been longer but we've already started planning the next year's.

All of us at Anotheroom

Fairfax, VA 2014

We traveled to Fairfax for a really quick visit for Kevin's reading at GMU! Luckily, our friends were awesome and almost all came out to see us in the two days we were there.

The drive was terrible, but not as terrible as we'd feared. Miranda hates the car but it turns out she's fine if we just let her drive. So we did.

Miranda is perplexed how Waze could be so wrong about everything.

The kids were happy to get the hotel and start living the dream. James was especially excited since we'd promised him there would be a pool!

Living the Hyatt high life.

Janice came out to see us!

And Cory!

And Megan!

The pool! James loved it but Miranda was a little dubious.

And then, who should we happen to meet at the pool? Roger, Lina, and Caleb!

Someone's thumb, Lina, Caleb, Miranda, me

Even better, after the pool, I got to go out to dinner with Janice and Megan! Without kids! It was the only other time I've gone out for fun besides Jackie and Rob's wedding. In 5 months. Or more maybe. Whooo boy, I was like a crazy woman on the loose. I had almost one whole drink and I had dinner AND an appetizer. That's right. Rebel without a cause.

Girls' Night! (The little one wasn't invited though.)

• Last time we saw Cory and Robin in March 2014
• My last trip to NoVa in February 2014
• Our last trip as a family to DC-NoVa in October 2013

Girls' Weekend in DC 2014

You guys, I am so pregnant and tired (8 months today!) that I can't write a proper post, but I had a lovely time with some of my college friends at Girls' Weekend Saturday and Sunday. (I only wish I had time to see all the new and not-so-new babies in the DC metro area- next time!

Laurie, Christina, Ash, Megan, Janice, me

Christina and I took Amtrak to DC which was quite the adventure for me in itself since last time I took the train was in 2004 (DC to Boston for the Democratic Convention). The train is over-priced but a much better way for a pregnant lady to travel than the bus (and probably better than flying too).  Christina and I had a lot of extra time to hang out, and used it mainly to repeat stories and snack. Haha.

 

Clockwise from top: on train, me inside Union Station, Christina outside it 

Ash and Janice picked us up and our first stop was lunch in Shirlington with Megan. We went to T.H.A.I. I think I've been there before and it's yummy as always.

.

Megan and Christina at T.H.A.I.

Ash, me, and Janice at T.H.A.I

We had a lot of time to kill before dinner and it was unseasonable warm out so we grabbed some flip flops and got pedicures. Usually I go most of the cold part of the winter without one and it's not pretty. Especially since I can't even reach my feet right now!

This picture reminds me of a scene in Sex in the City, but we're nothing like the characters

Finally it was time for dinner. Laurie made reservations for us at Le Diplomate, and I really enjoyed it. Everything was delicious, and there was a somewhat casual atmosphere that made it really comfortable to be there. We all tried everyone else's food so I can say confidently that everything is good.

At dinner on Saturday

Outside Le Diplomate on Q Street

Laurie hosted us for brunch on Sunday, which was not only super nice but also super tasty. We had delicious quiche,waffles, and lots of fruit and fixings. We also had some of the more meaningful and also the weirdest conversation at brunch.  Long live Girls' Weekend!

Laurie making waffles

Digging in!

• Girls' Weekend in Warwick, NY 2012
• Pseudo-Girls'-Weekend for my birthday in Long Island 2013