weekend getaway: richmond

The weekend before Thanksgiving Ben and I were able to get away for the weekend (two whole nights!) while our generous friends watched the kids. We love doing weekend swaps with them and the girls are always thrilled when they get to stay overnight with friends.

We ended up back down in Richmond for the weekend and had a great time relaxing, eating, and exploring.

We had a delicious dinner our first night at Europa in the Shockoe Slip neighborhood (a mix of Italian food and Spanish tapas). They had these bacon-wrapped dates that were amazing.

We spent the next morning wandering around Carytown and enjoying some leisurely shopping without the kids (the used bookstore browsing was particularly nice). We also had to make a stop at Dixie Donuts and couldn't resist getting a dozen to sample all the varieties. The surprise favorite was an apricot cardamom donut.

Our quaint, historic hotel downtown.

A stop along Monument Avenue.

We wandered around the Hollywood Cemetery which is a huge cemetery overlooking the James River. It's the burial place for several well-known people, including a few U.S. Presidents and a LOT of Confederate generals. The fall colors were still stunning.

Definitely in the South. A Confederate general with a cannon coming out of his grave.

We had amazing sandwiches for lunch at The Black Sheep.

We did some furniture shopping in Shockoe Bottom and then walked along the canal.

And we made a stop at the State Capitol.

We went to an Indian restaurant in Careytown for dinner and then attempted to go to a movie but every single person in Richmond was at the movie theater and parking was nonexistent. So we gave up and did a little Christmas shopping.

We are so grateful to have friends willing to watch our kids. These little getaways are priceless. Thanks Nielsons!

finger lakes: watkins glen

We spent an afternoon hiking at Watkins Glen State Park during our Finger Lakes weekend. It turned out to be one of the most scenic hikes I've been on (warning: it was impossible to stop taking pictures). We were there right at the peak of fall colors and there were orange leaves covering the rock formations. The hike was only a few miles so not too strenuous for the kids. The whole first half was up steep stairs and I was surprised that the girls were always far ahead of me (probably because I was stopping to take pictures all the time). They loved all of the waterfalls, hiking with cousins, and trying to navigate the muddy trail. They didn't complain much until the return trip. Nothing a few snacks couldn't cure.

Falling leaves!

My brother Dan and his family.

Oliver was excited to be roaming free for part of the return trip. I think he would have preferred to walk the whole way.

Looking down from the suspension bridge.

My sister Erin and her family.