Norfolk, VA

I had the opportunity to go visit Pete in Virginia last week. It was awesome. My parents watched the boys and kept them highly entertained (thanks so much!), while I got some R&R with Pete. We also got to do some house hunting and got to know the area we will soon call home. 

First, San Diego airport has really stepped it up. I may have had Phil's BBQ at 10:45am just because I could:) 

 When we first heard we were moving to VA, Pete googled the most common stores there and K-mart was one of the most popular. haha. Many VA residents have responded that they have plenty of normal stores, but we like to poke fun:)

 Don't see grits in the CA stores though...

 Driving around, we definitely felt like we were in a whole different world. The homes are mostly brick and beautiful. Old homes there look timeless. Old homes in CA look dated.

 We drove around base where Pete will be working. Not the prettiest place, but cool to see the ships.

 Initially we weren't sure if we would rent or buy. We would be able to get way more house for our money if we bought a home, but given that we will only be there a short time and neither of us are handy, we figured it's probably smarter to just rent and call our landlord when issues arise:)

But this was one home we looked at in Virginia Beach.

 Another VB home.

 We were also advised to live outside of Norfolk. However, due to traffic, that would make Pete's commute at least 30 minutes everyday. Over the course of a few days, we did find a few Norfolk neighborhoods with cute homes and good schools. Living there would mean a 10 min commute instead. Way more desirable. So since we will rent, we have to wait until late August or so to start finding a place. Pete will be in VA for the next 5 weeks, living in VB with some family friends. We're so thankful for that option. That means I am still able to keep my apt in SD, til the end of July. Then the plan is to move in with my parents for the next 2 1/2 months, until we move to VA in mid-Oct.

Back to the trip... we visited the Commissary.

 And the NEX (base dept store).

 Pete's uniforms.

 There is water everywhere! It's really beautiful.

 First day of work.

 Pete opening a frame from Parker on Father's Day.

 We were sooooo thrilled to find Texas Roadhouse! Love those rolls (the bread they give you, not the rolls we grew after eating their chicken fried steak!).

 Another house option. So excited to have a yard for the boys.

 Gorgeous or what?

 This is one of the neighborhoods in Norfolk called Ghent. Lots of people walking around (safely), with cute homes and neighborhood restaurants. I think that might be the perfect fit. Here is an old church there.

 Pete was warmly welcomed by the children who live at our friend's house in VB. Thank you Sanchez's!

It was really fun, but also very surreal. It's one thing to look around a new place for fun, but to know you are moving there and you are looking around with the intention of finding the right place to live... stressful! At least I can picture it now. That helps.