Sorry for the long post but I'd love to get some of your opinions on my game plan here. I've been pretty active all my life but I'd still consider myself a newbie when it comes to proper diet for weight training.
Ok, I've looked through some of the previous posts and I've found some
usefull information. However, I'd like to make sure I'm doing the right
things for the goals I have.

First off, short and long-term goals. First and foremost, my immediate
goal is to get to the appropriate bodyfat level, while building my ab
muscles to get the cut look. Basically I want to get the washboard look
first. My guess is that will probably require a BF level or 12% or lower. Of course I'm working on the rest of the body at the same time.
After that, I just want to build up overall muscle mass from there.

So some background information. I'm 173 lbs, 5'10, 33 Yo with about a 32
- 33" waist. Currently I'm working out about 5 times a week. I've always
go at least 30 minutes of cardio in there, mostly running on the
treadmill. This is followed by ab workout and then weight training.
So, my basic thought is that first I need to keep cutting body fat until I
can see the abs. Then, through increase in protein, calories and
working-out, increase general muscle mass. One question that I have is,
once getting to the point where I can see the abs, will dramatically
increasing diet erode bodyfat gains (as I go for building muscle)?

Currently I'm using the electronic Bodyfat Handheld device to measure
bodyfat. I know from the posts that while its not terribly accurate, its
a good barometer of direction of bodyfat. Two weeks ago I was around
14.5% and now I'm around 13%, so that's going in the right direction even
if the number isn't good. Right now I can see muscle but there's no definition of the individual muscles.

Diet-wise I've been keeping the calories around the 2000 level because
I've been trying to get my bodyfat down. Though over the last week & a
half, I've started using the Whey protein shakes and Creatine to help with
the muscle building.
typical diet is such;
Breakfast: 2 - 3 Egg whites, fruit & maybe some cereal
Snack: Protein Shake
Lunch: Chicken or turkey Sandwhich & Veggies
Snack: Protien Shake &/Or creatine shake
Dinner: Chicken and Veggies
Post workout: Creatine shake

Workouts are pretty typical, being for muslce gain (Low reps 8 -10, high
weight). Biggest question that I have is that my abs have never been
really worked. So right now I've been working them about every other day.
I'm doing a lot of the hanging bar stuff as well as some core
strenghting. Tyipcally I'm spending about 30 minutes or so time on just
abs.

So, based off of my goals, does this seem to be the right path or any
glaring things I need to change. Any help is appreciated.