Our Five Ring Circus: Virginia Beach: The Final Recap

Friday, August 17, 2018

Virginia Beach: The Final Recap

Virginia Beach: The Final Recap

It's hard to believe the final Virginia Beach recap I'm posting took place almost a year ago to date. I didn't intend for that to happen, but life got in the way of blogging about vacation. I wanted to finish it before this year's vacation, and I hope to be more timely with that recap!


Speaking of this year's vacation, as this post goes live, we will be preparing for our trip to the beach! We're leaving very early Saturday morning, which also happens to be Liam's 5th Birthday. Spending 12+ hours in the car isn't exactly the best way to spend a birthday, but he will be spending the evening of his birthday on the beach! (Hopefully that will make up for it.) We're all looking forward to spending a fun, relaxing week together at the beach!

For now, let's go back to almost exactly one year ago today...it was day seven of our Virginia Beach vacation, and it was Liam's 4th Birthday...



Day 7 - August 18, 2017 - Liam's 4th Birthday


On day seven of our Virginia Beach vacation, I woke up very early to watch the sunrise. It's one of my favorite things to do at the beach, and no matter how many times I see it, it still takes my breath away!

Beach Sunrise

Beach Sunrise

Beach Sunrise

Beach Sunrise

Beach Sunrise

It was Liam's 4th Birthday, and I couldn't wait to wake up the birthday boy!!!

Birthday Traditions

Down syndrome blogs

Down syndrome

After breakfast, we let Liam open up a few gifts that we brought along. (His big gifts were at home!) Even though we were on vacation, it was still important to keep up with our birthday traditions!

Brotherly Love

The Lucky Few

The Lucky Few

Down syndrome blog

The Lucky Few

Up Syndrome

Birthday Boy

Life with Down syndrome

Down syndrome awareness

We headed down to the beach for our last beach day, but unfortunately, they ended up closing the beach due to a big storm that rolled in right after we settled into our spot.

Beach Vacation with Kids

Down syndrome awareness

Beach Storms

It was a bummer, but the rainbow at the end of the storm was absolutely gorgeous!

Rainbow over the ocean

Beach Rainbow

Our last evening at the beach was beautiful! We went out to dinner, then I attempted beach pictures. The beach was packed by the time we got down there for pictures, probably because it was closed for so many hours AND it was a Friday night, so by the time I had a clear spot for pictures, it was nearly dark. Even though the pictures aren't perfect, I do love the ones I captured of my kids!

Beach Portraits

Beach Portraits

Beach Portraits

Beach Portraits

Beach Portraits

Beach Portraits

Beach Portraits

Beach Portraits

Beach Portraits

Beach Photography

Beach Photography

Beach Photography

Down syndrome

Life with Down syndrome

Down syndrome awareness

Nothing Down About It

Up Syndrome

Beach Photography

The Lucky Few

We headed back to our suite to celebrate Liam's birthday with cupcakes. He loves the birthday song, so he was SO excited!

Birthday Traditions

Birthday Traditions

Dylan, Lexie, and Liam changed their clothes, then we headed out for our last night on the boardwalk. We strolled around for hours, got ice cream, and ended out night on the ferris wheel!

Virginia Beach Ferris Wheel

Virginia Beach Ferris Wheel

Virginia Beach Ferris Wheel

Virginia Beach Ferris Wheel

Virginia Beach Boardwalk

It was really late when we headed back in, but we had to pack up our things to head home the next day. We were all bummed to say goodbye to our favorite beach and boardwalk! 

Day 8 - August 19, 2017 - Going Home


On our last day of vacation, I woke up before everyone else again to watch the sunrise. Nobody else seems to enjoy it as much as I do, but it was especially beautiful on our last day!

Ocean Sunrise

Ocean Sunrise

Ocean Sunrise

Ocean Sunrise

Ocean Sunrise

Ocean Sunrise

Our hotel gave us an extra hour for checkout, so loading everything into the car was a bit less chaotic than it usually is. We took a bit of extra time to head down to the beach for the last time to gather sand and shells, and say goodbye to the ocean.

Travel with Kids

Down syndrome Blogs

Lillebaby CarryOn Toddler

Virginia Beach

Even though we had a great time, it's always depressing to leave the beach. It truly is our happy place! The drive home was a bit somber, but we all cheered up a bit as we watched the sun set. The view was much different, but it was still beautiful. Going home is always a bummer after a week in paradise, but we had a wonderful vacation, and made so many happy memories together!


Pennsylvania Sunset

Catch up on our trip:







Virginia Beach Recap - Birthday Traditions, Sunrises, Rainbows, and Beach Portraits #VirginiaBeach #Downsyndrome #TravelwithKids #Travel

4 comments:

  1. Aw, I think you got some great photos. I hope you get even BETTER ones this year, and Happy Day Early Birthday to Liam. I'm sure being at the beach by the end of the day will be nice. :) Have fun! And stay safe.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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  2. Looks like a great time was had and Happy Birthday to Liam!!

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  3. So excited for your next adventure; I hope you have an easy twelve-hour ride! Your pictures from last year were absolutely beautiful--those sunrises, especially the second one, are amazing. (I love getting up in the morning to see the sunrise, too.) The photos of your kiddos separately on the beach are adorable, and I do love the picture of Liam on the Ferris Wheel. (He looks a bit scared--the same look I would have looked!) What fun memories. Enjoy this upcoming week!

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  4. I hope you're having a wonderful trip! I'm sure you'll have lots of new memories to share; although, it must have been fun to look back on the old ones from last year. I can't believe Liam will be 5! Sending happy birthday wishes to that very sweet boy!

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