HIlton Head - Part 4

Vacation, as we like to enjoy it, is all things sun, salt, sand, chlorine, etc. So, we usually started our vacation mornings at the beach, then straight to the pool for cooler water and sand cleansing, then upstairs for a nap. Emerson is a very independent swimmer, with floaties. He is bold enough to go without them, but is extremely confident with them --- ocean and pool. And it's awfully nice to sit on the side of the pool every so often, while he swims on his own. 

An early morning at the beach. He busted one of his swimmies in the ocean, so we found new ones, "Fiderman!"

Just diggin'.

Where are your feet?!?!?!

We enjoyed lots of fresh seafood while in Hilton Head, but also enjoyed staples, like pizza! We headed to Mangiamo's one night, a decked-out Buckeye joint on the island, for some yummy pizza. And right across the street there was a bowling alley --- Emerson's first time! He loved it. LOVED IT! And he looks pretty darn cute in those shoes, too.

Bumper bowling is the coolest. And so are those shoes! Wish we could have snuck those out of there ;)

Waiting patiently, fanning his hands.

Berlynn got in on the action a few times!

Waiting. Watching. --- When his ball got to the end, if he got one or nine pins, he would throw up his fists in achievement! We'll defintely be bowling with Emerson again!

HIlton Head - Part 3

A day on the boat! We rented a boat while in Hilton Head, and spent some time on the water. The kids loved it (except Auggie --- he was pretty ticked about the life jacket). We had some great dolphin sightings! One even came up to the side of the boat and did some cool tricks! I can't believe how close they come! We realized afterward that he was probably excepting a tip. Oopsie.

It was a really hot day, and the air, when moving, helped, but we really wanted to swim! We had to cruise for a bit, because we kept seeing jellyfish when we were trying to anchor. Just a few. But can you even imagine how the day would change if one of the little ones were stung!

Safety first! Berlynn, slathered in sunscreen, and jacketed.

A sighting!

Emerson, taking charge.

The dads and the boys.

Emerson is a smart boy. Why swim, when you can ride?

After grilling out at the Lipp House, it was time for a dip! With the heat wave last week, it stayed hot into the evenings. I think the Dads had more fun than the kids.

This is Andrew's tidal wave. I thought it was going to bounce Emerson and Ted clear out of the water! Save your children!

Emerson, walking around the pool with a bucket on his head. Normal.

HIlton Head - Part 2

Don't you love a day when you don't have to get out of a swimsuit from the time you wake up until the time you go to bed? Nearly every day of vacation is like that for us! And in my opinion, the perfect vacation.

Berlynn, modeling one of her many fashionable swim ensembles.

Seriously, this kid. I know, he looks mad. Thing is, he's just loud. And always goofin' around.

We bathed him a couple of times. But not much! We figure the chlorine takes care of a lot ;)

And good eats are essential. We tried a new restaurant every night, and definitely got enough to eat. This particular night, we ended up at One Hot Mama's before Harbour Town. Live music, good brews and good food. Emerson kept calling it "Hot Mommies." Another new favorite!

Future groupie???

An evening in Harbour Town. Can you just read the content all over our faces?

Walking along the pier.

I love this sequence of shots. Donald really wanted to get a photo with Teddy, and I tried. Three times.

HIlton Head - Part 1

We look forward to our travels every year, but the countdown to vacation this year seemed especially important. It's been a rough year. We really needed the downtime. Away from work, phones, laptops, yardwork and laundry...all things every day. There's nothing quite so therapeutic as the sun, sand, saltwater, and pools. So, off we went to Hilton Head for a week. We coordinated our stays with two of our best families---the Sheppards and the Lipps. We all had beautiful places to stay, and had lots of quality time with everyone! The kids got to play. And the adults got to play! We have a new favorite place to stay. We were right across from Coligny Plaza, with easy access to everything! We drove a few days to various outings, but loved that we could walk just about everywhere we needed to go.

Emerson got to connect with his long lost buddy, Teddy, and we all got to finally meet Auggie! It's amazing just how much we squeezed into one week. Yet, I feel like there was ample downtime, including sleeping until 8 or 9 most mornings. I even caught a few naps, which was glorious. The kind of naps where you don't even know how tired you are, until you lay down with a magazine in a crisp cool bed after being in the sun all morning.

It really was a week of sunshine and roses. Althought it didn't start that way. We weren't able to leave until Saturday evening due to a work event of Jason's, so we drove through the night, to make up for lost time, less traffic and a sleeping Emerson. When we arrived at our beachfront, 1 bedroom and loft condo at 6:30 am, a family was already in there. WHAT? The owners double booked. After many phone calls, and pressure from a very tired Janice, we got a major upgrade to a 3-bedroom, 3 full bath beachfront condo due to the error, paid for by the owners of the original place. We'll be staying in the new place again next summer. We loved it! Funny how things work out. The extra space allowed the Sheppards to stay over a few nights, and Emerson and Teddy had their own huge room with two double beds for naps. They loved it!

Emerson, airborne. It seems like this was how he spent the bulk of his week. Don and Ted looking on.

Emerson, always goofin'. And Teddy, always laughin'.



Pizza and frozen beverages at Frosty Frog's. LOVE that place!



On our way to putt-putt!

Auggie loved it, obviously.

Emerson was a natural! He sank quite a few. He must get it from his momma, since I was the only one with a hole-in-one :)

Do you know how long it would take to bathe three sandy little boys? Um, just throw 'em all in!

There was no way to get everything into one blog entry...so, more to come!

Finally, the FOURTH!

Man, what long long weekend! We had so much fun leading up to Monday, that it felt like the holiday should have been over by the time we woke up on Monday, which was 9:30am. Yowza. We made coffee, got ready and headed out for the parade! Parades are a significant memory for me, for the 4th of July holiday. As much as there MUST be fireworks and cookouts, there MUST be a parade. Emerson isn't crazy about the candy, which is fine with me. He wants one sucker, opens it, and has it during the parade. He loves the firetrucks, the bands and the floats. And so do I! 

Looking to see what's next.

I see Nordmoe girls! Hey Rebecca and Rachael!

Chillin'.

Have I mentioned how much I love holiday traditions? I was lucky enough growing up that one of my best friend's parents had the best house on Columbus Street, right next to the fairgrounds. Many a years we spent running through this yard with sparklers. I love that Emerson gets to do it now. And the Lancaster fireworks were great!

Emerson and Andrew playing cornhole.

Poppy, entertaining all the kids. And all the kids, entertaining Poppy.

Snacks before the fireworks show. Berlynn sat there for about 3.7 seconds before she was off again.

Those ear plugs fell out, and Emerson realized fireworks aren't that loud.

Man, what a fun weekend. Love me some summertime.

Welcome to the 'Hood --- Neighborhood Parties

Jason and I often joke about it, but we kind of feel like we hit the jackpot with our new neighborhood. We have the amazing pool, the ponds, the parks, and the friends! We have made so many great friends in the 'hood, and Emerson has a blast with all the kids! There's always a gathering, always someone walking a dog who stops to chat, always a neighbor who meets you at the end of the driveway with a beer, and always someone who wants to hear from Jason the latest he's doing with his lawn. This is Jason's goal in life. To have the best yard on the street, for others to admire it, and ask him questions about it. Mission accomplished.

There was a neighborhood 4th of July party that we were so excited to go to! We feel like we've been so busy the last few months, since moving in, that we've missed some of these. In addition to the food, slip-n-slides, fireworks and friends, they called in a firetruck for the kids. Emerson was in awe. They even lowered the ladder and let all the kids climb into the basket.

Everyone watching, and waiting for them to raise the ladder.

The kids loved it!

Emerson later climbed into the basket.

Emerson running wild with his buddy, Clayton.

Summertime, and the livin' is easy.

Of course Emerson played cornhole with the lieutenant.

This went on for a while.

On our way back, Emerson got to hang with "the girls," more of our great neighbors, for remaining fireworks! The Nie and Nordmoe girls love Emerson, and he loves "the girls."

Red, White & Blue Traditions Start in Somerset

Going back to college days, we would all head to Terra's Dad's house at Buckeye Lake for cookouts and boating before heading to Somerset for fishtail sandwiches, fries and fireworks. Well, when the babes were welcomed, they became part of the tradition! Somerset always has their fireworks on an early night, so we usually kick off the weekend with this, and we've come to love it!

Emerson, shoveling fries before Berlynn can eat too many.

Berlynn, watching.

Berlynn, shoveling fries before Emerson can eat too many.

I wish this kid could take a normal picture.

What's a summer holiday without face paint?

Berlynn, too!

Again with this smile.

Um, someone thinks they're a big girl.

Can you see the nervous all over Andrew's face?

Mommy, cover my ears! It's too loud! (This only lasted the first night, until he realized it was ok.)

Berlynn fell asleep about 1 minute after this picture, mid-fireworks.

Always a good time in Somerset. Will be back again next year!