plenty to be thankful for...MY HOMETOWN!

i should start off by saying that i'm a former navy brat {read: i don't really have a hometown}.

i was fortunate that - while growing up - the navy moved my family only a handful of times. i switched schools twice. yes, two times. 

i currently live in the same city the navy moved my family to back in 1986. so, i think it's safe to say that virginia beach is home. after all, i've been here since i was eight years old {minus the three years i lived in northern virginia} ...

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i have a love-hate relationship with my area. why? i'm not really sure. i think part of me is yearning for a new adventure in a new place, but another part of me just can't bring myself to leave. my husband is a local. he was born {in his uncle's bed at his grandparent's house near pembroke mall...for the 757ers who read my blog} & raised here. his family is here. his life - both good and bad - is here. 

virginia beach may be the largest independent city in virginia, but it's a very, very, very small world, too. trust me.

but, i digress...

virginia beach.

where else can you find a mix of urban, suburban & rural living? it's true...we don't have a true downtown area, but we're trying. sort of.

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i love that i can go from the hustle and bustle of interstate traffic to a scene like this all within a thirty minute drive {the drive is even shorter if i'm leaving from my home}...

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my city's highest elevation is a hill that used to be a pile of trash. true story.

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i live in a city {well, an area} that thrives on tourism. i guess it helps that the atlantic ocean & the chesapeake bay are two of my area's "backyards."

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another amazing fact about my area? we love jet noise! {well, except for some poppy heads who just don't seem to appreciate the sound of freedom.} the military is everywhere in my area. i live within five minutes of two naval bases. 

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there's a lot to see & a  lot to do in virginia beach. the area is steeped in history. we are a relatively young city, too. and, we're one of many cities that makes up the greater hampton roads area. so, as much as i might lament about wanting to move away, i am definitely thankful for all that i have to see, do & discover right in my own backyard.

ten reasons why you would want to visit virginia beach.

so, i may be a little biased about virginia beach. why? because i live here. the navy brought my family here {from hawaii!} back in 1986. i basically grew up here. i graduated from high school here. i met my husband here. i am raising my family here.

this area - my area - of southeastern virginia is an amazing location filled with all kinds of things to do. this is an area that thrives from the tourism industry & is super proud of our military. virginia beach is the most populous independent city in the commonwealth of virginia {it's also the 39th largest city in the u.s. according to the 2010 census} and there is plenty to do when you're visiting...here is my list:

• surf, sun, sand - some locals may say that virginia beach has no waves, but that doesn't stop people from taking their surfboards & body boards out into the atlantic ocean on a daily basis! virginia beach is flanked by the chesapeake bay to the north & the atlantic ocean to the east. there is plenty of coastline for you to set your beach chair & umbrella. my family's favorite beach spot? sandbridge.

• sightseeing...on the water - where else can you book a tour to go dolphin or whale watching? if you're really lucky, you will see dolphins riding waves while at the beach. if you're really lucky, you'll see a whale breach the water while at the beach {trust me, this is rare, but we did see a whale on father's day 2010}. if you're too impatient to sit on the beach & wait for dolphins or whales, then book a trip with rudee tours. our local sciene museum - virginia aquarium - also offers boat excursions.
• deep sea fishing - if dolphin & whale watching isn't your thing, don't worry. there are plenty of charter boat companies that offer some of the best fishing the east coast has to offer whether you're out by the chesapeake bay bridge tunnel or out by the gulf stream. you can catch anything from spade fish to big eye tuna!

{a really bad cell phone picture of the spade fish my husband caught a couple summer's ago}

• seafood, seafood, seafood - if you are in virginia beach, you HAVE to eat seafood. i know, i know, there are people who are either allergic or don't enjoy it. don't worry, there's plenty of food for you to choose from. BUT, if you are a die hard seafood fan, virginia beach is a great place to chow down. seafood restaurants are plentiful and be sure to feast on blue crabs & oysters...both native to the area. my family's favorite seafood spot? margie & ray's.

• folklore & history - virginia beach was once princess anne county. the area is rich in history. if stories from the past & learning about the birthplace of a city is your thing, then visiting virginia beach is a good choice. you can learn about the witch of pungo, visit the francis land house, visit the old & new cape henry lighthouses, see the adam thoroughgood house, & tour the old coast guard station at the oceanfront. 
• catch a concert - whether it's a free show at the 31st street park, a weekend concert lineup as part of the american music festival, or a headlining, national act at the amphitheater...there is plenty of music to be heard in virginia beach!

• festivals & tournaments galore - once the weather warms up, it seems like there is a festival of some sort happening all the time in virginia beach. in may, pungo celebrates the strawberry with a festival. all summer long, different events associated with the neptune festival take place along the oceanfront. labor day weekend welcomes the american music festival. there are also sand soccer tournaments as well as the east coast surfing championship. seriously, there is always something going on in virginia beach.

• jet noise - virginia beach - and, quite frankly, the entire hampton roads area - loves the military. a large part of this area's population is made up of military families and the area is home to one of the largest naval bases. virginia beach is home to oceana naval air station and, every year, the blue angels come to visit as part of the air show. it's a loud, but fun time!
• amusements galore - ocean breeze...it's not just that refreshing blast of cool air you feel coming off the water, it's also a water park conveniently located minutes from the oceanfront. it's fun for the whole family. and, when you dry off, you can also check out motorworld & shipwreck golf. there are also amusement rides & miniature golf places scattered throughout the oceanfront. my family's favorite miniature golf location? jungle golf.
• something for everyone - do you want to golf? you can golf. do you want to shop? you can shop. do you want to hike? you can hike. do you want to kayak? you can kayak. there is so much to see & do in virginia beach. trust me.

my list of ten barely covers all that there is to see & do while visiting virginia beach.  the area is filled with sights, sounds, smells & tastes that will entice people of all ages.  visit us once and you'll fall in love. promise. 

disclaimer: i wrote this blog post while participating in the socialmoms & virginia beach tourism blogging program for a gift card worth $40. for more information on how you can participate, click here.

sunday service.

this is where we go on sundays.

{well, at least adam & the kids.  last sunday i took advantage of the quiet time and napped at home.}

sandbridge is our sunday morning {or late afternoon} hangout spot.  we go with a friend & his kids. 
frolicking in the surf.  chasing sand fiddler crabs.  finding seashells & sand dollars.  catching a glimpse of a pod of dolphins.

there isn't a better way to end the week.  there isn't a better way to begin the week.

Why Isn't Jim Cantore in my Yard?

We're under a tornado warning. It's not the first time. It won't be the last time. But, this time, there was a tornado spotted - or at least there was enough rotation in the storm - to justify the warning.

As I type this, there is a ridiculous amount of lightning flashing outside. We called my FIL who lives in northern Virginia Beach where the supposed tornado was spotted...according to The Weather Channel, there is a hook to the storm (times like these make me wish I had paid more attention in Weather & Climate when I was an undergraduate). He said there was nothing to worry about..."Oh, it's just a lot of lightning and some hail." Ha. Never underestimate the power of Mother Nature is my motto.

My husband is outside like a fool. The kids are on the couch listening to Alexandra Steele & Jim Cantore. Malia is worried. She said - and I quote - "I don't want to die tonight, Momma." Bless her heart. Aidan said, "Don't worry, Sis. We're here together and a tornado won't get us."

Aww.

So, I'm shutting down for the night because I love my Vaio too much. I also need to go find the flashlight.