VNITY PL8S

As anyone who has traveled to Virginia knows, we love our vanity plates. Last April I decided to keep track of all the vanity plates I saw related to the beach/water/the bay. We live 90 minutes from the closest beach, but apparently people around Richmond really like the beach. I feel like I have collected enough plates that I can share them with you. I don't know why I'm doing this. I guess I just need to get it out there before I throw away my piece of paper. I stopped writing them down about a month ago and have seen a few more since, but I can't remember them. So here's what I've got:

OBXNJOY
OBX 20
OBX WAV
OBX 4LC
OBX4US
OBX GEM
OBX TX
NTO OBX
CME SRF
BIG WAV
SEESIDE
JRN OBX
BCH GAL
BCH BRZS
ISLN GRL
SURF DAD
WATR VW
OCEANVU
BCH-HS
BCH BOX
OLDSURF
ISEASUN
WE SEA
SFR&SN
GOCOSTL
NAGSHED
SWTBREZ
SOFTSHL
OCENCTY
2 OSHN
CRPABCH
ONDBOAT
S SHORES
RVA2OBX
BY SEA
OL BAY1
BREZZ 2
SUN4US
SURF FRK
OL SALT
SALT-LFE
BCH H20
BEACHON
TME4BCH
URN OBX
2THOCN
(HEART) OOBX
CSHELL2

There you go.

Eli's Birthday

Eli turned TWO on Sunday, January 8.

The day before, it snowed a bunch. So church was cancelled. We spent a nice morning hanging out, playing in the snow, and putting up decorations. This video is pretty fun.

Eli liked his birthday hat a lot more than last year.

 Snow time.

 Dan tried to make a sledding hill in our backyard, but it didn't really work out. Too many trees.

So then Dan made a ramp on our back deck.

Which worked out much better.

During Eli's nap time, the rest of us played Life and then I think Dan took the older kids sledding on a legit hill. Or maybe that was Saturday - can't remember.

Grandma and Grandpa Cheney braved the eight inches of snow to come and celebrate with us. Eli loves pancakes, so we had pancakes the night before. On his birthday we had salmon. (Just thought pancakes plus cake after dinner would be too much "cake.")

 Not a fan of fire by his face.

 But definitely a fan of frosting.

 He got some great books and clothes from G&G Cheney. His big gift from us was a basketball hoop. He calls basketballs "game balls" and points out basketball hoops wherever we go. He's loved it so far.

 Should have gotten a picture of G&G Cheney!

Putting it to use right away.

I spent a lot of the day just thinking about how grateful I am that Eli is in our family. He is a miracle and I am so thankful that we were blessed with him. Everyone in the family dotes on him like crazy (yes, he is spoiled!). And he loves us all in return. He says, "Yes, please" and "thank you" a lot, which I love. He also says, "Bless you" and "Love you, too." He sleeps with like 4 little stuffed animals and a ton of blankets. He LOVES Curious George with all his heart and soul. Eli is also a great little singer and he makes noise non-stop. He is the best. We love you, Eli!